PR E F A C E .

OM ETH I N G more t han a q uart er of a cen t ury

a o t h e aut hor b
g ,
egan t o c o ll ect mat erial for t hi s
w ork . H is pr og r e ss has been s l o w a n d m uch of it
,

has been at t en ded w it h d ifficu l t ies w h ich t hose w h o

have had n o experien c e in hi st oric resea rch w ill fail
t o u n ders t an d The origin al sources of in format i on
.
,

espec ially in t h e ear li er years of ou r h is t ory have ,

b ee n meagre an d scatt ered in man y publi c an d privat e

,

libraries t o reach w h ich has re q uir ed person al e xami

,

n a t i on. Li mit ed b o t h in mean s an d t i me t h e aut hor

,

has foun d i t dif fi cu lt t o m a y on t hese in vest ig at ion s

as rapi d ly as w as des ired Hen ce t h e de lay in pre
.

parin g t hese pages for t h e pu bli c eye .

The presen t vol ume as w ill be seen at t em pt s t o

, ,

t ell t h e st ory of t h e prog ress o f Un i versa li sm t o t h e

cl ose of t h e eig ht een t h cen t ury an d t o s t at e t h e dif
,

f e re n t phases of t h e Un iversa li s t fa it h up t o t ha t t im e.

I t has a l so a i med t o g ive w ha t bi og raph ical in for m a

t i o n cou l d b e ob t a in ed con cern i n g t h e early defen ders
an d support ers of t hat fa it h ; an d i t i s mat t er of deep

regret t hat so litt l e in form at io n can b e fou n d in regard

t o so ma n y of t hese w ort hy m e n .

I t i s hoped t hat n o un n ecessary de lays w ill pre

ven t t h e early com p l et i o n of t h e w ork An o t her vol
.
vi P REFACE .

u me w ill foll ow th is, in w h i ch,

a fte r the n arrat i on of
t h e his t ory in it s chron o l ogi ca l order as in t hese pag es , ,

spec ial cha p t ers w ill be g ive n t o Su n day S choo l s E du ,

cati on (b o t h A cademi c an d Theol ogi ca l) Hy mn o l og y , ,

an d P eri o di ca l Lite ra t ur e Th e vo lu me w ill a l so con

.

t a in a B ibli ogr aphy o f Un i versa lis m; gi vi n g th e t it l e

pag e siz e or form o f t h e edit i on an d n u m b er of pag es
, ,

o f w hat ever b ook pamph let or t ra ct has b een pri n t ed

, ,

in A merica on t his su bj ec t b ot h pro an d con

, M ore .

t han t w o t hou san d t i t l es have al ready b ee n exa min ed ,

cop i ed an d arran ged an d i t i s in t en ded t hat t h is part

, ,

o f t h e w ork shall b e as t horoug h an d exhaust ive a s

th e c ircu m s t a n ces o f t h e case w i ll a ll ow To t hi s e n d .

g en eral coopera t ion is earn e s t l y so li c it e d ; an d as n o

in con sidera bl e part o f our pamphl et li t erat u re has be e n
pu bli shed expressl y for l oca l use an d has n ever come ,

in t o g en era l cir c u lat i on a speci a l re qu est is here b y

,

made t hat cop ies may b e sen t t o t he au t hor w h o if , ,

desired w ill a ft er examin at i on ret urn t hem t o t h e

,

ow n er or if n o su ch re q uest sha ll b e m ade w ill see t hat

, ,

t hey are preserved in th e Lib ra ry o f th e Un i versali s t

H is t orica l S oci et y .

Grat eful t o all w h o have hi t herto a ide d in mak in g

t hi s record poss ibl e t o pu bl i c v i ew an d espec i al l y t han k
,

fu l t o our Heaven l y Fat her t hat healt h an d st ren gt h

have b een given for the preparat i on o f t hese pag es t h i s ,

vol u me i s n ow submitt e d t o th e reader .

RI C HARD ED DY .

M ELROS E , Mu s, Oct ober , 1 884 .

 c oa NT s

I n r n an u amnn

(J n Ar rE n I . 1 6 3 6—1 7 7 0 13 A1 04

II . 1 77 0—1 7 7 8 l fla—l ZS

II I . 1 7 7 9 —1 7 86 1 74r 96 6

Iv 1 7 87 —1 7 90 se t 3 44
-

11 . 1 7 91 —1 7 9 3 345 —428

VI . 1 7 94—1 7 9 7 4Q9 5 08
'

VTI 50 4r 5 ai
'

. 1 7 98 180 0
-

5 45 - 5 5 4
 I N T RO D U C T I O N .

GE N E RAL HI S T O RI ES OF UNI VE R SALI S M DI E R ENT M EA NIN G S OF T H E . FF

N AME UNI VE R SALI ST T H N AME IR S T A F I E .

"
o B EL I EVE R S E F F L D T

IN H T S ALVA T I O OF AL M
E EN GL A
N EA R L I ES T T RA C ES
L EN , IN ND .

OF UNI VE R SALI SM UNI VE R SALI ST C H A RA CTE RI ST I C S OF H E EA RLY

. T

T H EOLO G I C AL S C H S A S C AT OF UNI VE R SALI SM W I TH

O OL . S O I ION

L EA RNIN G T R A C ES UNI VE R SALI SM TH E D A R K AG ES R

. OF IN . E

Vl VA OF UNI VE R SALI SM A H E R E O R MA TI O N
L C ONT R OVE R S I ES O N
T T F .

UNI VE R SALI SM H SEVE NT EENTH IN T E IGHT EE N TH C E UR

E AND NT I FS .

T H E E VE RLAST IN G GOSPEL TH E B RL U R R B I EL .
”
E EE GE B .
”

UNI VE R SAL I SM OF J U N G S T ILLIN G UNI VE R SAL I SM C O N EM N E . D D IN

TH F R
E w o AR T C
O T v -T 1552 C O N EM NA T I O N W I TH RA W N
I LE S , I N . D D

IN T H TH IRTY NIN E A RT I C LES 1 5 62 E N G L I SH PA R L I AME N T

E -
,
IN . IN

1 6 48 A GA IN S T UNI VE R SALI SM
, V A N E WH I T E B RO O K LA W RE v .
, ,
E, , LL ,

C O PP I N AN S T ON E H O SE
, U I VE R SALI SM
D U ON N .

N I V E RSALI SM doct rin e of t h e fi n al ho lin ess , th e

of all me n t hroug h t h e g race of G od reveal ed in
J esus Christ has b een hel d an d defen ded in some form
,

in all t h e Chri s t ia n Ag es I t is n ot how ever t h e pur .

, ,

pose Of t h i s w ork t o cover t h e e n t ire fiel d of it s h i st ory ,

bu t s i mp l y t o att emp t t o relat e t h e s t ory of it s r i se an d

progress in t h e Un it ed S t at es The more g en eral h i s .

t ory has al ready b ee n w r itt e n t ha t por t ion of i t ,

coveri n g th e period prior t o t h e Prot est an t Reforma

t i on b y t h e l at e Hosea Ba ll ou 2 d D D e n t it l ed
,
The , , .
,

A n c ie n t H i s t ory of U n iversali sm an d pu bli shed in ,

VOL . I . 1
2 I NTRO DUC T I ON .

1 82 9 , bu t revis ed an d republis he d in 1 87 2 ; an d on t h e
sub se qu e n t peri od b y t h e l at e Thomas Whit t emore
, ,

D D en t it l ed The M odern H is t ory o f Un i versalism

. .
, ,

pu blis hed in 1 830 an d t h e E uropean port i o n rev i sed

, ,

a n d g reat l y e n l arg ed repu blis hed in 1 86 0

,
Bot h o f .

t hese w orks are charact eriz ed b y great fi de lit y t o t h e

fact s o f h i st ory an d are in va l ua bl e t o all w h o are s eek
,

in g in format i on in reg ard t o t h e op in i on s w h ich have

b e e n he l d in t h e Chr is tia n Church on t he doct rin e ,

of human dest in y Of Dr B all ou s w ork Ed w ard

. .
’
,

Beecher D D in hi s H is t ory o f Op in ion s on t h e

, . .
,

S cript ura l Doctr in e O f Ret rib ut i on

”
says : The w ork ,

is on e of de ci ded abilit y an d i s w ritten w it h great can

,

dor an d a care fu l exam in a t i on o f a u t horit i es "

.

M an y o f t h e fac t s prese n t ed in Dr VVhi tte In ore s

’
.

w ork are reprod u ced here b u t t here are added t o t hem

,

a l arge n u mb er o f w h i ch it is cert ain t ha t he had n o

k n ow l edge ; an d as t h e first edit ion o f h i s w ork in ,

w hi ch al on e are re feren ces t o U n i versa li sm in A meri ca ,

has l on g b een ou t o f prin t i t is n ot improb abl e t hat ,

t h e en t i re con t en t s o f t his vo l ume may b e n e w t o man y

re aders .

I t may al so b e presumed t hat some in t o w hose han ds

t h i s b ook may fall are n ot in possess i on o f an y fact s in
,

regard t o t h e more g en eral H ist ory o f U n iversali sm an d ,

t hat a b ri e f ske t ch t hereof may n ot b e devo i d o f in t er

e st t o t hem What mus t b e regarded as a mere men t i on
.

of t h e fact s in t h e case i s t herefore o ff ered here

, .

The n ame Un iversal is t as fou n d on t h e pag es of

“ ”
,

eccl esiast i ca l an d dog mat i c h i s t ori es sel dom den o t es ,

a b e li ever in the fin al ho lin es s an d happ in ess of all

man kin d Prob ably its earli est t heo l ogi cal u se w as in
.
 I NTRODUC TI ON . 3

the l att er par t of t h e fift ee n t h ce n t ury w he n it w as ap ,

"

pl ied by w ay of derisi on t o t hose w h o hel d t o t h e p ossi

bi l i ty of t h e salva t io n of all m e n They w ere pro t es
.

t a n t s aga in s t t h e reprob at i on t heor ies of Ca l v in w i t hou t ,

b ein g fully in Sympat hy w it h th e v ie w s of Armin ius .

For t h e most par t t hey w ere Fre n ch an d German s ; an d

i t i s said t hat t heir v ie w s w ere emb raced in n early a ll
‘

t h e Prot es t a n t u n i vers i t i es A myr al du s an d Ca m ero n

.

w ere t h e ch i ef apos t l es o f t his fait h They d i s t in .

g u ish e d b e t w een obj ect i ve an d subj ec t ive grace m ean ,

in g b y t h e former t hat sal va t ion is off ered t o a ll m e n ,

,

and i s u n i ver sa l ; an d b y t h e l a tt er t hat it m orall y a f ,

fee t s t h e sou l in co n vert in g it an d i s p a r ti cu l a 7 — ;t hat

,
~

is g iven o n l y t o t h e e l ec t
,
They w ere cal l ed fro m t h e
.

s t an dpo in t of t h e first Un i versali s t s

,
an d fro m t ha t

of t h e secon d hyp o t he t ical U n iversalist s

,
“
I n eit her .
”

v i e w t hey w ere far from b ein g w hat w e m ean w h en w e

speak Of U n i versali st s I n t h e sen se in w h i ch w e

.

empl oy t h e n a m e it see m s t o have b een firs t used in

,

En g lan d ab ou t t h e m idd le of t h e l as t cen t ury ; an d

lik e t h e n a me Christ ian w as n ot origin al w it h t h e
,
”

b eli evers bu t w a s g iven t hem b y t he ir oppon en t s

,
.

Pri or t o t h i s t im e a lt houg h t here are t races Of U n i

,
’

v e r sal i sm i n a ll t h e Chri s t i an ag es n o par t icu l ar n ame

,

d i s t in g u ished it s b eli evers Duri n g several of t h e earl y

.

ce n t uri es Un i versali s m w as u n q uest ion ed ort hodoxy

an d w he n it ceased t o b e dom in an t t h e b eli evers w ere ,

called O rig en is t s an d l at er The M erciful Doct ors

“ ”
.
, ,

I n t h e t im e o f t h e Refor m at io n b y Lu t her it Was he l d ,

b y t h e An ab ap t i s t s bu t t h i s n ame con veyed of it self , ,

n o i dea of an y t heory o f t h e div in e purpose as he l d b y

'

. .

t hose w h o b ore it .
4 I NTRODUC T I ON .

As e ar ly as A D . co m e u pon t h e first n o t i ce
. 1 30 , w e
of U n iversali sm aft er t h e days of t h e apos t l es i n t h e
, ,

w rit i n g s of t h e B a s il idia n s Carpocra t ian s a n d V a l e n t i

, ,

n i a n s t h e more prom in en t sec t s o f t h e G n os t i cs

,
The .

u lt im at e pur ificat i on o f t h e race w as acc ord in g t o t heir ,

t heor i es by mea n s of t h e d i sc i p lin e of t h e sou l s of t h e

,

W i cked t hroug h t ra n smigrat i on F ift y years l at er ap .

S iby llin e O ra c les i n w h i ch Un iversalism ”

p e ar e d t h e
“
,

is t augh t as resu lt in g from t h e prayers o f t h e sa in t s

aff ec t ed b y t h e mi series of th e damn ed The Al might y .

i s represe n t ed as g ran t in g t h is favor t o t h e redeemed

on a ccou n t of t h e g reat l ove w h i ch He b ears t o t hem

for t heir fidelit y I n A D 1 95 C lemen s A l exan drin us

. . .
,

w h o w as p res i den t o f t h e Cat echet i cal S chool a t Al ex

an dria advocat ed U n iversa li sm on t h e g roun d of t h e

,

rem edial charact er of all pu n i sh m en t His pup il a n d .

s uccessor in t h e schoo l O rig en t au gh t U n iversa li sm on

, ,

t h e g rou n d Of t h e ever con t in u i n g freedom of t h e w ill

-
,

t h e deep m en t al a n d spir it ua l a n g u is h occas i o n ed b y t h e

ligh t a n d kn ow ledg e of t h e t rut h u n t il it l eads t o r e ,

p e n t a n ce an d t he n t h e harmo n y of t h e sou l wi t h God

, .

I n add it io n t o h i s w ork a t Alexan dria O rig e n al so had ,

care for severa l years of t h e schoo l a t C aesarea .

I n t h e schoo l a t An t i och D iodoru s afte rw ards B i shop , .

o f Jerusal em defen ded U n i versali sm on t h e g rou n d

,

t hat t h e d iv in e mercy far exceeds a ll t h e e ff ec t s a n d all

t h e desert s o f s in Theodore of M opsu e st ia a pupil of

.
, ,

D iodor u s b ecame h is successor

, He hel d t ha t sin is .

a n in c i de n t al par t of t h e deve l opme n t an d educat i on of

th e h u m an race ; t hat w hile some are more i n vol ved in

it t han ot hers God w ill overr ul e it t o t h e fin a l es t ab
,

lis h m e n t of a ll in g ood .
 I NT RODUCT I ON . 5

Th e w r i t in g s of Theodore b ecam e t h e t ext b ooks in -

t h e S choo l of E as t ern Syr ia some t im es he l d a t E dessa

,

a n d so m e t imes a t N i sibi s He w a s t h e foun der of t h e

.

sect of t h e N es t orian s t h e reput ed aut hor o f t h e l it u rg y

,

used b y t hem ; a church w h ich a t on e t ime e q ualled

in i t s me m b ership t h e co m bin ed adheren t s of b o t h t h e
Greek a n d Lat in co mm un io n s an d w hi ch has had n o ,

rival in m iss i o n ary zeal I n t h e address e s an d pray ers

.

of t he ir lit urgy Un iversali sm i s di st in ct ly avow ed .

These four S choo l s ,

A lexan dr i a C aesarea An t ioch , , ,

a n d E as t er n Syr i a ,
w ere t h e o n l y School s properly so ,

call ed ( t hat i s i n st it ut i o n s in w hich scholars w ere g at h

,

ered an d t eachers l ibrari es e t c w ere prov i ded for t hei r

, , , .

in st ruct ion ) kn own t o t h e early Church What are

,
.

some t im es cal led t he S chool s of A si a M in or an d o f

N ort hern A fr ica w ere s im p ly cert a in t eachers an d t hose
,

w h o adop t ed t he ir op i n i on s t hou g h n ot coll ect ed in

,

on e p l ace w here b u il din g s are erec t ed an d t eachers ,

em pl oyed for purposes of in st ruct i o n : I n As ia M in or ,

I ren aeus t aug ht t h e an n ihil at i on of t h e w i cked ; i n

Africa Tert ull ian t aug h t t he ir everlas t in g pu n i shme n t
, .

All t h e ear ly t heol og ical school s s t ri ct ly speak in g , ,

t aug h t t h e doc t rin e of Un iversali s m ; an d four ou t of

t h e six of w hat are popu l arl y cal l ed S chool s w ere a dv o ,

ca t es o f t h i s t heory of human dest in y .

I n t h e m i ddl e of t h e six t h cen t ury J us t in ian c on

ve n ed a l ocal coun c il w hich pro n oun ced O rig en s doc
,
’

t r i n e of U n i versa l sa l vat i o n heret i cal D oe de rl e i n a f t e r.

, ,

q uot in g in h is I n st it u t es of Chris t ian Theo l ogy t h e

, ,

decree of Jus t in ian again st Orig en Says : Tha t W “

,
as

n ot t h e be li ef of al l ; an d in proport io n as an y on e w as

emin en t i n l earn in g in Chris t ian An t iquit y t h e more ,

6 I NTRO DUC T I ON .

di d he cheri sh an d de fen d t h e hope of t he t erm i na ti o n

;

of fu t ure t ormen t s D re x e l iu s in h i s defe n ce of e t er

.
”
,

n al p u n i shmen t
g ives t h i s t es t i mon y
,

That God should doo m t h e apos t at e a n g els a n d m e n

at t h e day of ret r ibut io n t o e t ern al t orm e n t s see m ed so ,

hard an d i n credible a doct rin e t o so m e person s t hat eve n

O rig e n him self, w h o w as m ig h t y i n t h e S cript ures, a n d
n o less fam ous for his ad m irable w i t a n d excelle n t lear n

i n g presum ed to m ai n t ai n in his Book of Pri n ciples t hat

,

bot h t h e de vils an d t he damn ed aft er a cert ai n period ,

Of years t h e fire havin g purg ed or clean sed t he m fr o m

,

t heir pollu t io n s should be res t ored t o g race

,
A ug us t i n e .

an d o t hers s e t fort h his error a n d co n de m n ed h i m for i t , .

B u t n ot w i t hs t an di n g t heir co n de mn at io n t his error h as ,

foun d a g reat man y i n t h e w orld w h o have g ive n it a

sort of c ivil recept io n The Au i t i heret ics so called
'

.
, ,

dispersed t his error t hroug hout all S pain , un der various

in t e rpret at io n s ” .

Gie se l e r t h e eccles iast ica l h is t orian sa ys 1

‘

, , :

“ The belief in t h e in ali en able capac it y of i mprove me n t

i n all rat ion al bei n g s a n d t h e li m it ed dur at io n of fut ure
,

pun ish me n t w as so g e n eral eve n in t h e West an d am on g

, , ,

t h e O ppo n en t s of Ori g e n, t hat eve n if it m ay n ot be said ,

t o have arise n w i t hout t h e i n fl ue n ce of O rig e n s school

’
,

i t had b eco m e e n t irely i n depe n de n t of his syst e m ”

.

An d Aug us t in e b ears t h i s t est i mo y n

2

S om e, — very man y — fro m h um an sym pat hy

n ay , , ,

co mm iserat e t h e e t ern al pun ish me n t of t h e da mn e d an d

t heir perpe t ua l t or t ure w it hou t i n t erm issio n an d t hus ,

1 V ol i . . c h ap . I I . se ct . 82 .

2 E n chir idion , ch ap . c xii.

 I NTRODUC TI ON .
7

do n ot believe i n it ; n ot i n deed by opposin g t h e Holy

, ,

S crip t ures bu t by soft e n i n g all t h e s e vere t h i n g s accord

,

i n g t o t heir ow n feelin g s an d g ivi n g a m ilder mea n i n g

,

t o t h ose t hi n g s w hich t hey t hi n k are said i n t he m m ore

t erribly t han t ruly ” .

Alt houg h U n iversal is m al most w holly d i sappears

durin g t h e period kn o w n as t h e Dark Ag es t here are ,

occasi on a l gli m pses Of it eve n i n t h e m ut il at ed records

w h i ch t h e Papa l Church has perm it t ed t o descen d t o us .

I n t h e seve n t h ce n t ury M ax im us th e Greek mo n k an d

, ,

co n fessor t aug ht Un iversalis m ; in t h e eig h t h C l e me n t

, ,

of Ire la n d w as deposed fro m t h e pri es t hood for t eachin g

t ha t w hen Chri st desce n ded in t o hell he res t ored a l l t h e
dam n ed ; w hi l e in t h e n in t h John Sco t us E rig e n a a
, ,

famous phil osopher w h o s t ood a t t h e head of t h e l earn ed

of t h e Court of Fra n ce w as a b ol d defen der of Un iver
,

sa l is m
. I n t h e e leve n t h ce n t ury th e Albigen ses w ere , ,

accordin g t o papa l au t horit i es Un iversal is t s ; in t h e

,

t w e lft h Ra yn o l d A bb o t of St M art in s in Fran ce w a s

’
.
, , ,

charg ed b efore a cou n cil w it h ho l din g t hat a l l m e n “

wi ll even t ua ll y b e saved in t h e t hir t een t h S o l o m on , ,

Bishop of Bassorah dis cussed t h e q uest i on of u n iversal

,

sa lvat i o n an s w erin g it in t h e affirma t ive The Lolla rds

,
.

in t h e f ou I t e e n t h ce n t ury t au g ht Un iversali sm in DO
h e m i a an d A us t ri a ; an d a t t h e sa m e period a coun cil
con ven ed b y Lan gman Arch bi shop of Can t erb ury g ave
, ,

j udgm en t again s t Un iversa li sm as on e of t h e heresi es

t he n t au g h t i n t ha t prov in ce I n t h e early part of t h e
.

fift ee n t h ce n t ury a sect called M e n of U n ders t an d

,

i n g t aug ht Un iversa li sm in F la n ders advocat in g it on ,

t h e g rou n d of t h e Germa n M ys t i cs as d id Tau l er of ,

St ras b urg an d Joh n Wesse l w h o w i t h o t hers have

, , , ,
8 INTRODUC T I ON .

b ee n call ed t he Reformers b efore t h e Ref ormat i on ,

w hose w rit in g s Lu t her in dust ri ous l y s t ud i ed a n d g rea t l y

ad m ired .

Wit h t h e Reformat io n Un iversali sm made a fresh ,

appearan ce early in t h e s i x t een t h ce n t ury ch i efly ,

'

am on g t h e An a b ap t i st s The seven t een t h art icl e of t h e

.

Aug sburg Con fessio n 1 5 36 w as expressly fr amed t o

, ,

“
co n de m n t h e An ab ap t i st s w h o ma in t ain t hat t here
,

shall b e an e n d t o t h e pu n i shmen t s of t h e damn ed an d

of t h e devil s ”
. Deri ck He t zer a n d St an i sl aus Pan n on i
, ,

ous w ere t h e m ost em in en t defen ders of U n iversa lis m

,

at t h i s per i od .La t er in t h e ce n t ury Samue l Hu b er ,

d i vin it y professor at Witt en b erg t aug h t Un iversa l ism , ,

as i s a ll eg ed by Span h e im a n d b ecause says M oshe im , ,

he w oul d n ot g o b ack t o t h e o l d me t hods of t eachin g ,

he w as compell ed t o relin q uis h h i s o ffi ce an d g o in t o

ex il e .
”
Early in t h e seven t een t h cen t ury E rn es t S on ,

n e r pro f essor o f ph il osophy at Alt orf

pu blished a t heo
“
, ,

l og ical an d ph il osophi cal demo n st rat ion t hat t h e en d l ess

pun i shme n t o f th e w icked w ou l d arg ue n ot t h e j ust i ce , ,

bu t t h e in j us t i ce of God, Joh n William Pe t erse n at

.
,

on e t i me Court preacher at Lu t i n a n d su b se q uen t l y ,

super in t e n de n t a t Lu n e n be rg adop t ed an d defe n ded ,

U n i versalism w it h such zeal t ha t he w a s cit ed b efore

t h e co n s i s t ory a n d as he cou l d n ot co n sc i e n t ious l y
, ,

ren ou n ce his co n v ict i on s w as depri ved of h i s o ffice a n d

,

forced i n t o privat e life I n h i s re t i remen t he pu blished

.

t hree fo li o vo l u m es on Un iversa lis m e n t i t led M u st e ,

rio n Apok at as t ase Os Pan t On in w hich he me n t i o n s ,

”

ma n y w h o had defen ded t hat doct rin e The vo l u mes .

appeared b e t w ee n t h e years 1 7 0 0 — 1 7 1 0 They open ed a .

cen t ury of sp ir it ed co n t roversy of w h i ch M oshe i m says : ,

 I NT RODUC T I ON . 9

The poin t s Of t heolo g y w hich had bee n co n t rovert ed

i n t h e seve n t ee n t h c e n t ury w ere des t i n ed t o exci t e kee n er
d isput es i n t h e ei g ht ee n t h such as t h e e t er n i t y of he ll
,

t or m e n t s an d t h e fi n al rest orat io n of all i n t elli g e n t

,

bein g s t o order perfect ion a n d happi n ess

, , .

D ie t e l m a ir , oppo n e n t of Un iversal ism w rot e on

an ,

it s his t ory a b ou t t h e m iddle of t h i s ce n t ury I n the .

preface t o h is w ork he speaks of t h e “ co n t es t s w hich

rag e vehe men t ly e n ou gh w it hin t h e very b ou n ds of t h e
or t hodox church in t h e e n d of t h e las t cen t ury an d
t h e b eg in n in g of t h e prese n t .

A mo n g t h e de f e n ces of U n iversalism con t ain ed in

t h e firs t volu m e of Pe t erse n s w ork w a s t h e E v e r l a st
’ "

in g Gospe l a t t rib u t ed t o Pau l Sie g v ol k w h i ch w as bu t

”
, ,

an ass u med n ame of Georg e K l ein N ico l ai de posed for -

,

hi s U n iversal i sm as preacher of Friessdorf He pu b .

lis h e d o t her w orks in defe n ce of U n iversa li sm bu t t h e ,

most rapi d a n d last in g popularit y b el o n g ed t o t h e

“
E ver las t in g Gospe l w h ich in fort y five years passed
,
-

t hro u g h five ed it io n s in German y .

I n 1 7 2 6 John He n ry H an g professor a t S t ras b urg

, ,

havin g procured t h e ass i s t an ce of Dr E rnes t Chris t oph .

Hochman Chri s t ia n D ippel Coun t De M arsay a n d

, , ,

o t hers comm en ced t h e pu blica t i o n of t h e B e r l e bu rg e r

,

B ib e l an en t ir el y n e w t ran s l at i o n an d commen t ary of

,

t h e Ho l y S crip t ures They made t he m sel ves fa mili ar

.

w i t h a ll t h e w r i t in g s of t h e M ys t i cs an d i n t he i r great
,

w ork t au g h t an d defe n ded U n i versa li s m from t h e M y s

t ica l s t an dpo in t Their w ork fi ll s eig ht large foli o vo l

.

umes t h e l as t o f w h ich w as publi shed in 1 7 42 St ro n g

,
.

persecu t ion assailin g t he m a n d n o prin t er b ein g w illin g

,

t o r isk h is office i n do i n g t he i r w ork t hey w ere com pe ll ed

,
10 INTRO DUC T I ON .

t o purchase t he ir ow n t ype an d a s m all press Whe n t h e .

ch urch w hich t hey had est abli shed w a s a t l as t b roken

up b y t he ir en emi es th e mem b ers fled t o Am erica
, ,

t ak in g t he ir press w i t h t hem an d it w as s e t up b y
,

Chris t opher S o w er in German t ow n P en n sy lvan ia ,

.

I n 1 7 2 7 appeared Lud w ig Gerhard s Co m p l e t e Sy s

’

t e m of t h e E verl as t in g Gospe l of t h e Res t orat ion of Al l

Thin g s t og et her w it h t h e Baseless O pposit e Doct ri n e
,

of Et ern al Da m n at io n The aut hor w a s a t on e t i me

.

professor of t heol og y in t h e U n i versit y o f Rost ock ,

an d h i s publi cat i on ca ll ed for t h accord in g t o Wa l ch , ,

n o l ess t han f our t ee n vo l umes in rep l y Ju n g St il lin g .

,

i n t h e latt er part of t h e e ig h t een t h cen t ury an a bl e de ,

fe n der Of Chri st ian it y aga in st German Rat i on ali s m w as ,

a n arden t a n d e m in e n t U n iversa li s t Professor Th ol u c k

w ro t e i n 1 83 5 t ha t t h i s doc t ri n e
, ,
came part i cu l arly
i n t o n ot i ce t hroug h Ju n g St illin g t ha t e m in en t m an ,

w h o w as a part i cu l ar in s t rum e n t in t h e han d O f God

for keepin g up Evan g el i ca l t ru t h in t h e l at t er part of

t h e form er ce n t ury an d at t h e sa m e t i me a s t ron g
,

pat ro n t o t ha t
doc t rin e .

I n E n gla n d t h e Pro t es t an t s in draw in g up t he i r

, ,

Fort y t w o A rt icl es of Relig i on in 1 5 5 2 co n demn ed

-
, ,

Un iversalism T e n years lat er w hen t h e co n vocat io n

.
,

rev i sed t h e doct rin es of t h e Church t h e n umb er O f ,

Ar t ic l es w a s reduced t o t hir t y n in e o m it t in g a m on g
-

, ,

o t hers t h e Ar t ic les con de mn in g U n iversali sm S in ce

, .

t hat t i m e U n i versa lis m has n ot b een a forbi dden doc

t ri n e in t h e Church of E n g lan d bu t has b ee n advoca t ed
,

a n d defe n ded b y some of t h e most em in en t mem b ers

of i t s co m mun i o n .

The Presb y t e rian Parl iam en t of 1 6 4 8 w h i ch t empo , ,

 I NTRO DUC T I ON . 11

raril y overt hre w E pi scopacy passed a l aw agai n s t a ll ,

heres ies pun ishin g t h e persi st e n t hol ders of so m e w i t h

,

dea h t
, a n d of o t hers w it h i mpri son men t “
That all .

m e n sha ll b e saved w as am on g t h e heres ies pu n i shed

”

i n t h e l att er m an n er Th i s l aw w a s n ot l o n g Operat ive

.
,

for t he In depe n de n t s headed b y Cromw el l soon over , ,

t hre w t h e l aw makers Gerard W in s t an ley pu bli shed

-
.

a w ork in a d cacy of Un iversali sm o n ly a f e w days

aft er t h e passag e of t h e l aw w hich w as soon fo l low ed ,

b y s im ilar w orks from h i s pe n William Ear bu ry .

fearl essly preached Un iversalism Richard Copp in w as .

act ive in i t s advocacy publi sh in g l arg el y in it s e xposi ,

s it i on an d suppor t an d w a s severa l t im es arrai n ed

, g
b efore t h e cour t s for his off en ce Sa mue l Ri chardson .
,

an e m in en t Bap t i s t a l so w rot e l arge l y in i t s defe n ce

, .

S ir He n ry V an e (t h e youn g er) me m b er of t h e Parlia ,

m en t disso lved b y Cromw e ll an d in 1 636 Gover n or of ,

M assachuset t s w as a U n iversa li s t
,
Jere my Whit e on e .
,

of Cromw ell s chap la in s preached Un iversalism an d

’

, ,

pu blis hed a w ork w h ich has passed t hroug h several

edit ion s Jan e Le ad a M yst ic w a s t h e au t hor of sev
.
, ,

era l Un iversa li st b ooks Hen ry Brooke an e m in e n t .

,

l it erary w ri t er avow ed hi s b elie f in Un iversali sm in

,

h is Fool of Q ua l it y an d i n a poe m on t h e M ess iah

“ ”
.
,

W illia m Law au t hor of t h e Serious Call declared in

, ,
”

A s for t h e puri ficat i on of a ll hu m an

”
his Le t t ers ,

n a t ure I full y b el i eve i t e it her in t his w orl d or so m e

, ,

aft er ag es .

I n 1 7 5 0 James Rel ly of Lon don w h o had b ee n a

, , ,

preacher in Wh it e fie l d s con n ec t i o n shocked at t h e ’

doc t ri n e of repro b at i on w as by medit at i o n an d st udy ,

led in t o a n ot her sche m e of redemp t i o n some of th e ,

 I NT RODUCTI ON .

peculiari t ies of w h i ch m ay b e sa id t o have had t he i r

orig in w it h h i m As Joh n M urray w h o fig ures so ,

l arg e ly in t h e H i st ory o f Un iversali s m in Am mica ,

w a s a n avo w ed a n d zea l ous adheren t a n d advocat e of

Rel ly s view s a st a t em e n t of t h i s pecu liar t heo l ogy w ill

’

be foun d in t he secon d chap t er of t h i s w ork .

Richard Copp in j u s t n ow all uded t o as b ein g ac t i ve

,

in t h e t i me of Crom w e ll reg arded t h e S cr ip t ures as

,

hav in g a hi dden sen se t he ir t eac hin g s b ei n g chiefly

,

alleg orica l ; an d he b ro u g ht a very fert il e i m ag in at io n

t o b ear in t he ir in t erpre t at i o n A l l re w ards a n d p u n
.

i sh me n t s w ere he l d b y hi m t o b e co n fin ed t o t h i s life ,

an d t h e fu t ure w ho lly t he g ift of g race had li tt l e or

, ,

n o t h in g in commo n w it h t h e prese n t .

Sir Georg e St on ehouse of th e E s t abli shed Church of

,

En gl an d advocat ed an d defe n ded Un iversa li sm in t hree

,

w orks pu bli shed b et w een 1 7 60 an d 1 7 7 3 He seems .

t o have he l d t h e t heory of pre ex i s t en ce an d t ha t m e n

-
,

w ere sen t i n t o t h i s w or l d w it h Ada m as t he ir head

, ,

w it h a v i e w t o t he ir recovery fro m s i n s com m i t t ed in a

prev i o u s s t a t e Sa l va t ion i s t h e resu lt of a prese n t

.

accept an ce of Chri st a n d relieves on e from t h e furt her

,

pen al eff ect s of sin ; res t orat i o n co m es o n l y t o t hose

w h o n eg l ect in g sa l va t i on here in cur a ll t he pe n a l t ies
, ,

o f sin an d from t he ir fu t ure priso n house cry ou t for

,
-

mercy an d b e in g pe n it en t are forgi ve n an d bl essed

, , .

Salva t io n b el on g s o n l y t o t h e prese n t life ; res t ora t i on

o n ly t o t h e fu t ure st at e of ex i st en ce .

From t h i s brie f descrip t i on of t h e ext e n t an d man n er

in w hich U n iversali sm has b een he l d i n o t her l a n ds ,

w e t urn t o a co n s i dera t i on o f it s h i s t ory in A merica .

UNI V E RSA LI SM I N AM E RI CA .

C H AP T E R I .

1 63 6 —1 7 7 0 .

S O U RC E S V
U N I E RS AL I S M I N AM E R I C A
OF T HE M Y S I C S S U . T . AM EL
GO R O N T S I R HE N R Y V AN E
. J O S E PH G A C H E L L DR G G . T . . EO R E
D E RE N N E I L LE G V EO R E
G RAPP . T H O M A S S AY GE R M A N A N D . .

D U TCH E GR T To P MI AN S E NN S LVA NI
Y A T I I E D UN E RS THE . K .

M O RA I A N S V E PI S C O PA L I A N U N I E RSAL I S S
. RE V CH D V T . . RI A R
C LA R E K
RE V RO E R YA N C E Y
. . RE V J A C O D U C I I E — RE V
B T . . B -
. .

WI L L I A M S M I H , D D T
T H E P RO PO S E D . RAYE R B O O
. RE V P -
K . .

O N
J H T YL E R — M R T Y LE R’S L TT . T o RE V
. N O AH A R ER E ER . P K .

RE V S AM UE L PE T E R S ’S
. LE E R
TT T o M R T Y L E R — U N I E RS ALI S S . . V T
AMON G T HE N EW E G D G G T N LA N C ON R E A IO NAL I S S
T RE V C H A RL E S . .

C H AU N C Y, D D — RE V J H C L A R E , D D
. . O N . K
A A C S O N C I— TT K
I A UN . .

cr s
’
P
A M PH L E AND B OO T RE V J K ON A A N
TH M A Y H E W , D D . . . .

RE V J E R E M Y B E L N A P , D D
. K
RE V J O S E P H H U T GT N , D D . . . N IN O . .

A TT C K O N U N I E RS A L I S M
A V
Y T H E “ F T RES Y E R Y O F T H E B IR S P B T
T
E A S WA RD ” T H E S Y D O F N E W Y O R A N D PH I LAD E L P H I A O N
. NO K
T HE P V
RE AL E N C E O F U N I E RS A L I S M V
RE V T H O M A S FE SS E N D E N . . .

RE V J A C O M
. B A NN
RE V S AM U E L M E A D . RE V D A N FO S E R . . . T .

RE V M R T A F T
. . RE V E RL E Y HO W E
. . P
RE V S AM U E L WH T G . . I IN .

N I V E RSALI SM came t o Ameri ca t hroug h at

l eas t five cha n n e l s in depe n den t of t h e t each in gs ,

of Rev John M urray w h o i s comm on ly called t h e

.
,

Fat her of Un i versa lism i n t h e N e w World .

I . T HE M YS TIC S .

1 . G ORT ON w h o fig ures consp icuousl y in

SAM U EL ,

t h e earl y h i s t ory of t h e M ass achusett s Ply m ou t h an d , ,

Rhode I s l an d Col on ies cam e t o Bost on from En glan d , , ,

i n M arch 1 6 3 6 —3 7 S hort l y aft er h i s arriva l he re

,
.
,
I4 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

mo ved t o Plymout h an d b efore l on g t o Rhode Isl a n d ,

M r Ba n croft (H i s t ory i speaks of h i m as a “

. .
,

w il d bu t b e n evo l e n t e n t hus i as t w h o used t o say heaven ,

w as n ot a p l ace t here w as n o heave n bu t in t h e heart s

,

of g ood m e n n o hell bu t in t h e m in d
,
J ohn An ge l ] .
”
,

on e of h is fo ll o w ers sa id of him : ,

He a holy m a n ; w ept day an d n i ght for t h e

w as

si n s an d blin dn e ss of t h e w o r l d ; his e yes w ere a foun

t ai n of t ears an d al w ays full of t ears —a m a n full of
, ,

t hou g ht a n d feelin g H e w as un iversally belove d by all

.

his n ei g h bors an d t h e In dian s w h o est eem ed him n ot

, , ,

o n ly as a frien d bu t on e hi g h in co m mun io n w it h God

,

an d heave n ; an d i n deed he lived i n heave n

”
.

M r . St ap les
a bi og raph ical sket ch appen ded t o
, in
a modern ed it i on of Gort on s Si mp li c it y s De fen ce ’ ’

Ag ain s t Seven headed P o li cy w armly eul ogi zes h im

”
-
,

b y sayin g t hat n ot h in g w as ever all eg ed aga in s t hi m

“
,

even b y h i s most i n ve t erat e en em ies On t h e c on .

”

t r ary Cot t on M at her w hose ce n sure of t hose from

, ,

w hom he di ff ered i s n ot u n fre q uen t l y t he ir h ig hes t

prai se says t hat he deg en erat ed in t o a b eas t an d

, ,
“
,

st y l es h i s op in i on s blasphemous an d en ormous .

M acki e i n h i s Life of S a m ue l Gort on 1 says o f

“ ”
,

G ort on :
The Purit an w rit ers g en erally co n sidered him a , ,

t e acher of st ran g e doct ri n e s si m ilar t o t hose i m pu t ed ,

t o t h e Fa m ilist s ” .

An d con den sin g from

, M oshe i m , M ore , N ea l, an d

S ew e ll he a dds ,

The Fam ily of L ove so called , ,

w as a sect est ablished i n
th e S ixt ee n t h ce n t ury i n Hollan d , by He n ry N icholas w h o ,

1 S par k ’
e s A m e r ican B iog raph y .
 THE M Y S TI C S . 15

m ai n t a i n ed t hat he w as co mmi ssion ed by Heave n t o t each

t hat t h e e sse n ce of relig ion con sis t s n ot i n t h e b elief of
an y par t icul ar reli g i ous c re ed or t he o b servan ce of an
, y
peculiar form of public w orship bu t simply in t h e fe e lin g,

of divin e love The S ervice of L ove w as declared t o be

.

t he dispe n sat io n of t h e Holy Ghost surpassi n g t hat of ,

Chris t w hi ch w as t h e dispe n sat io n of belief an d t h at

, ,

also of M oses w hi ch w as t h e dispen sat ion of l aw T h e

, .

Familist s believe d in t h e i n dw ellin g of t h e Holy S pirit ,

al le g o r ized t h e doct rin es of revelat ion an d view e d t h e ,

f act s of S cri pt u re as n ot havin g an y hi st orical bu t on ly ,

a spiri t ual i mport an ce I n E n g lan d w here t h e sect

.
,

m ad e for a t ime, n o li tt le pro g ress t hey held privat e

, ,

assem blies for devot i on for w h ich t hey t ast ed of t h e

,

se v erit ies of t h e g overn m e n t an d w ere charg ed w it h

,
’

un becom in g l axit y of morals at t h e sam e t i me t hat t h e y

,

w ere m aki n g ext raordi n ary pret e n ces t o spiri t u al p e r f e c

t ion. A s t h e S eraphic Fam ily dan ced san g an d m a de , ,

m erry t hey w ere den oun ce d by Georg e Fox as a m ot ley

,

t ribe of f an at ics
’
.

“
As t o w ha t w ere re al ly t h e relig i ous doct rin es held
an d t au ght b y Gort o n t here h as bee n co n siderable diver
,

s it y of opin io n I t i s i n deed perh aps quite an i mp os

.
, ,

sible m att er t o O bt ain fro m hi s w rit in g s an y clear an d

a dequat e V iew of his pecu l iar t en et s I t is m ore t h an .

probabl e t hat he hi mself had n o dis t in ct apprehen sion

of t h e m His t houg ht s are very obscurely expr e ss e d in
.

his w rit in g s ; his st yle is exceedin g ly in volv e d ; h i s

leadin g ideas are un folded bu t in ciden t ally an d part ially .

Gort on s i n t ellect u al capacit y w as in deed great ; bu t his

’
, ,

sen t im en t prevailed over hi s reason His m in d w as rat her .

brillian t t han soun d, t oo impulsive t o be clear .

Respe ct in g th e n atu re of Chr is t Gort o n t au g ht t hat it ,

w as bo t h hu m an an d di vin e ; t h e t w o part s w hereof w ere

n e it her u n it ed n or w ill t h ey ever be separat ed i n t i m e ;
,

a n d bo t h t o g e t her co n s t it ut e on e et ern al b e in g
’
Chris t s .
16 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

deat h an d humil i at i on he co n s idered al so t o be Of i n fin ite

durat io n ; for wi t h him are all t hin g s ever prese n t bein g ,

him self t h e fuln ess t hereof His deat h an d hu m iliat ion

.
’

he re g arded, t hou g h n ot in t h e sen se of t hose w h o re

ce iv e t h e doct rin e of u n i versal salvat i on , as t h e p r op i t i a

t ion for t h e s in s of th e w h ole w orld

‘ ’
.

View ed i n co n n ect i on t hese t w o doct rin es of t h e

,

di vi n it y of C h r i st , an d of t h e life of th e believin g soul

i n h im w ill appe ar at t h e pre s e n t day t o ha ve som e w hat
,

of a pan t he i st ic charact er In deed on e of t h e early

.
,

w r it ers i n speak in g of Gort o n w en t so f ar as t o say

, ,

t hat he m ag n i fie d h i s ow n g lorious l i g ht t hat could see

‘
,

himself t o be p erso n ally Chr ist God m an The con een

,
-
.
’

t rat i n g t en den cy so t o speak of Gort on s m in d w as

’
, ,

cert ain ly very st ron g The scope an d ran g e of h is

.

t hou g ht s w ere w i de, bu t it w as his h abit t o reduce all

part icular t rut hs t o gen eral on es To b ehol d al l t hin g s .

in Christ ; t o see t he m revolvin g i n h i m i n harm o n ious

re lat io n s ; t o t race all t h e ch an n el s of life, t h e im pulses
of g oodn ess up t o him as t h e on e in fin it e un iversal
, ,

foun t ain n eed in g n ot hin g ou t of it self to sen d fort h it s

,
‘

st ream s bu t o n ly it s ow n fuln ess t his w as t h e aspira

,

t ion of hi s min d an d it s chief del igh t

, .

I n illustr at i on of a g e n eral t en den cy of t his sort in

Gort on s min d, i t may be m en t io n ed also t h at h e dif
’
, ,

f e re d fro m h i s bre t hren of Ply m out h an d M assachuse t t s ,

i n his vie w s of t h e relat ion bet w een t h i s l ife a n d t h e

fut ure Whil e t hey, u n dervaluin g t his st at e of e xi s
.

t en ce con cen t rat e d al l t heir hopes of h app in ess if n ot

, ,

of im provemen t on t hat w hich i s t o succeed i t h e on

, , ,

t h e con t rary, afi rme d t hat t h e sou l n ow exist s i n et er

n i t y ; an d w as report ed t o have t au ght t h at t here is n o ,

heaven or he ll save i n t h e m in d The soul see m ed t o .

h i m t o be in depen den t of place, as t h e fut ure a n d t h e

past w ere bu t e t ern al n ow ‘Such doct rin e he says.
,
’
,
‘
as set s fort h a t ime t o co me of more w ort h a n d g lory
,
 T HE M Y STI C S . 17

t han it her is or hat h be e n keeps t h e man n a t ill t o

e , ,

morro w t o t h e breedin g O f w orm s i n it

, (pp 389
’
.

Gort o n li ved i n t urb ul en t t imes in N e w En gl an d ,

an d has b ee n
g e n era lly reg arded as a m an in im ical
t o t h e earl y g over n me n t of M assachuse t t s Recen t ly .

A defen ce of Sa m ue l Gort on an d t h e S et t l ers of

Sha w ome t [ Warw ick R
”
by Georg e A Brayt on
,
. .
,

l at e Chi ef Just ice of t h e Suprem e Court of Rhode

Is l a n d has b een pu bli shed di sprovin g t h e Ol d n o t i on s
, ,

en t er t a in ed of Gort on an d sho w in g t hat u n der cover of

, ,

po lit ica l o ffen ces he w a s persecu t ed for h i s re lig ious

,

op in ion s He w a s a M yst ic w h o had li t t l e or n o sym

.

pat hy w it h an y v ie w s d iff erin g fro m h i s ow n Hen ce .

,

t hou g h he defe n ded t h e Q uakers i n t heir e ff ort s for t ol

cra t i o n he str on gl y d i ssen t e d from t heir t heology ; an d
,

w h il e ag ree in g w it h Rog er Williams an d t h e Bapt is t s

in t heir t heory of freedo m of con scie n ce he fough t ,

ag ain st t heir n ot ion s of ordin an ces b eat in g dow n

“
, ,

as on e of hi s foll o w ers expresses it all ou tw ard ,

ord in an ces of Bap t is m an d t h e Lord s Supper w it h ’

,

un an sw erabl e demon st rat io n O ccas i on ally he ex

.

pou n ded h is v ie w s orally bu t preachin g w as n ot hi s

,

b usin es s H is w ork w a s ch i efly don e w it h h i s pe n ; an d

.

som e o f his u n pu bli shed m an uscri pt s a re st ill preser ved .

He deli g hte d in t it les b ased on t h e recogn it i on of h i s

m ys t i ca l v i e w s ; an d in on e of h i s co n veya n ces of l an d ,

st yl es h im self Professor of t h e M yst eri es o f Chri s t ”

.
,

As m ig h t b e expec t ed h i s re lig i ous op in i on s are n ot

,

very l uci dly expressed or explain ed in h i s w rit in g s .

He t ook such delig ht in hidden mean in g s an d in all e

g ory an d had such f on dn ess f or far fe t ched a ll usion s
-
,

an d i m ag es t ha t a deg ree of o b scur it y han g s over h i s

,

V O L. I . 2
18 UN I VERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

se n t en ces makes t hem t he subj ect of much spec

an d

u l at i on I n severa l passag es how ever h is b e lief in

.
, ,

u n i versa l sa l vat i o n seems ev iden t Thus in Si m .

,

p l i ci t y s
’
Defe n ce he speaks of some, w
”
h o w ere “
fearfu l
of t rou bl e an d d i s qu iet n ot k n ow in g b e tt e r bu t t hat
, ,

t h e cross o f Chr is t i s te rribl e ; as t houg h t h e S o n n e of

G od had n ot t ake n a w ay t h e t error an d an gry face
of i t pu t t in g n o l ess d i sparag emen t upon hi m bu t as
, ,

t houg h t h e s t in g w ere in deat h s t ill b e in g ig n oran t ,

of t h is h ow t hat by deat h he overcomes deat h even

, ,

u n t il n ow The n a t ure o f m an he says is o f

”
.
, ,

“
t hat vast empt in ess t hat n ot hin g bu t t h e ful n ess
,

an d po w er of an all su fli c i e n t God c an -
possibly supply
a n d perfect i t ; a n d so t here is co m plet e eat i n g an d

drin kin g w hich is t hat full sat isfact io n an d n ourishm e n t

,

t hat c an be fou n d i n n on e save o n ly i n t h e S on of God ,

hi m self ; for it is a w eakn ess of t hat n at ure an d lat it ude ,

t hat n o t hin g c an supply an d m ake up bu t God hi m self ;

an d i t is a pow er of t hat ful n ess an d perfect io n t hat can

t ake n ot hi n g i n t o un i t y w it h it s e lf that m ay be t hou g h t t o

add an y t hin g (n o n ot i n t h e least ) un t o t hat st re n gt h an d
,

vi g or t hat is i n God ; f or t h e n it w ere n ot an Al mi g ht y

p o w er of God t hat saves us .

In a poet i ca l eff us i o n prefixed t o the same w ork , he

says
T he n at ion s sh al l c ome f ort h at on ce ,
ye a , at on e bi rt h
T ru t h in t h e c h an g e of on e , re n e w e t h a ll t h e e art h

El se w e r e n ot p e rf e ct good i n a n y on e e re ct ,
’
N or Si n w e re f u ll , t h r ou g h t h f all , t h at g r e at de f e ct .

If c h an g e of on e , w e re n ot a w orl d r e n e w e d,

Wh at n at ion t he n n ot brou gh t in and su bdu e d

, . .
,

Wh e n t ru t h is pu blish e d t h ou g h bu t u n t o on e
,

E m bra c e d, re ce i v e d ?Oh , h a pp st at e y Of m an ,

A ll Ge n t il es brou g ht in , w h o can w a n t
 T HE M YS TI C S .
19

als o he says
,

T he l ig h t of he ave n , God h imse lf ordain e d

y
T o be t h at t hin g w h e re b m an i s ma in t ain e d
I n w is dom, h on or , h app in e ss, an d p ea ce ;
T hat dot h f rom se r p e n t , si n , d e at h , h e ll , re l ease

And j
n ot c on ec t u r al , dou btf u l , su bt il n oti on ,

Se t f ort h by art w i t h Si g n of g re a t de vot i on .

1

This i s in deed O b scu r e ; bu t w e do n ot t hin k t hat w e

m i s t ake it s import The mys t ica l u n i on o f all sou l s
.

w it h God or Chr is t w h o i s t h e ful n ess o f l if e an d

, ,

salvat io n t o all w as a favorit e t houg ht w ith man y

,

Un i versal is t s o f t hat day in t h e Ol d Worl d ; n otan ,

so w it h R ichard Coppin Gort o n s con t emporary in ,

’

En g l an d an avo w ed Un iversali s t w h o sa id as di d G or
, , ,

t on, There is n o heaven an d hell bu t w hat i s in man ”

.

2 SI R H ENRY VANE t h e you n g er

. Govern or o f
, ,

M assachusett s in 1 6 36 w as al so a M ys t i c an d some
, ,

o f hi s u tte ran ces read l ike avo w al s o f b eli ef in u n i

versa l sal vat i on He w as a m a n o f rare schol arl y
.

a t t ain me n t s a radi cal t h in ker an d a fearl ess expon e nt

, ,

o f h is con vi c t ion s .

He came t o Bos t on in 1 6 3 5 a n d al t h ough bu t t w en t y ,

t hree years o f ag e so i mpressed t h e peop l e w it h his

,
'

in t e ll ec t u al an d mora l g rea t n ess t hat h i s coun se ls w ere ,

sou g ht an d in a year from h is arri val he w as ch osen

,

Govern or A b out t his t i me th e col on i st s t ho ught t hat

.

as t h ey w ere all professedly re lig ious peopl e they ough t ,

t o make t h e l aw s of God as del ivered b y M oses t o t h e ,

commo n w eal t h o f Israe l th e bas i s o f t h eir Civil poli t y

,
.

At t he re ques t o f t h e Gen era l Court Rev J oh n Cotton , .

drew up an a b st ract of t h e la w s of M ose s romi ttin g .

,
I
g l

m
S plic y s D e f e n ce , in R I Hist C ol pp 2 9 , 3 6 , 8 9, 184 5
’
i it . . . . 11 . .
- I .
20 UNI V ERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

s u ch as w ere o f te mp orary o bli gat i on an d in th ei r ,

n at ure pecu li ar t o t h e J e wi sh econ omy I t w as pu b .

l ish e d bu t n ot adop t ed
, A n o t her ab s t rac t su b. ,

s e que n t ly made an d supposed t o have b ee n t h e j oin t

,

la b or o f M r C ott on an d Sir Hen ry Van e wa s adopt ed

. ,

1
an d w as prin te d in Lon don in 1 6 41 , .

H on E dw ard E verett in a Revi ew o f Upham s Lif e

’
.
,

o f S ir Hen ry Van e, spoke o f hi m as

”

“
t he man to w ho m S ir Jam es M a ck in t osh has ascribed
on e of t h e m os t profou n d m i n ds t hat ever exi st ed, n ot
‘

i n feri or pe rhaps t o B aco n an d if n ot in fer i or t o Baco n

i n t h e i n t ellect ual h ow vas t ly ab ove hi m in t h e m oral

,

propert ies of a man .

An d aga in , he q uot es James as sayin g o f Van e s ’

S ir
w r it in g s

His w orks w h ich are t heolo gi cal are ext remel y rare,
, ,

an d displ ay as t o n i s hi n g po w ers Th ey are remarkabl e, .

as co n t ain i n g t h e first direct assert io n Of t h e l ib ert y O f

”2
co n scien ce .

B i shop B u rn e tt , in his “
Lif e an d T i mes (p .

s ays

Van e s fri e n ds
’
t old m e t hat h e l ean ed t o Orig en s ’

not ion of an u n iversal salvat ion of all bo t h of devil s

,

an d t h e damn ed
”
.

Re v M r Crouch i n a ser mon of t h e

. .
,
Et ern it y of
He ll Tormen t s ,
”
p ub l is hed in E n g l an d a ce n t u r y ago ,

1 Ann als of t he Am e ri can Pu l pit , by Will iam B . Sprag u e , D D . .

,

vol . i pp 2 7 , 2 8
. . .

2 Nort h Ame rican Re vi e w , vol . xlii . pp 1 2 5 , 1 2 6

. .
 T HE M Y STI CS .
21
“
I n the
ext cen t u ry (1 6 0 0 t o 1 7 0 0 ) w hen n o t hin g
n

w a s t oo absurd eit her i n

, g overn me n t or reli g ion t o w an t ,

pat ron ag e t h e doct rin e of Ori g en am o n g a t housan d w il d

, ,

an d m o n s t rous ext rava an cies w a s firs i

g t n t roduce d a n d ,

received here I t formed part of t h e I m in t e l l ig ibl e creed

.

of Sir Hen ry Van e ” .

Pet er Bay n e w h o ho l ds t hat Van e has b een t oo

,

hig h l y ex t o ll ed by his admir ers ackn ow ledg es h is ab ili ,

t i es as a t hi n ker bu t ques t i on s th e propr i e t y of c lassi

,
ng
hi m w it h t h e b e l i evers of un iversa l sa lvat io n I n an .

art i cle on Va n e the You n g er i n The Con te mporary

.

,
“

Re vie w 1 he says
,
”

If it is t h e blasphe my of blasphe m ies as Van e w ould ,

h ave affir m ed t o de n y t ha t t h e A lm i ht y m us t by n e ces

, g
s it
y of n at ure procee d i n such m an n er as is exac t ly
‘
,

co n sist e n t w it h t h e w isdo m an d just ice of a mos t h oly

God t h e g reat est happin ess of t h e g reat est n umber
,
’

t hr ou g hout t h e u n iverse see ms likely e n ou g h t o be

brou g ht about by His g overn me n t The w i l l of t h e I n fi .

n it e R e aso n mu t t be reaso n able of t h e In fi n it e Jus t ice ,

jus t of t h e In fin it e L ove lovi n g If as has be e n m ai n

, .
,

t a in e d by so m e Van e held t h e t heory of un iversal s alva

,

t io n as h eld by O ri g en n o t heory of t h e u n ive rse could

,

have bee n eit her m ore sublim e or m ore joyous t han his
bu t I have see n n o evide n ce un de r h i s ow n han d or from
his ow n lip t o t h is effect a n d I h ave seen w rit in g of his
,
”
w hich appears t o be i n con sist e n t w it h O ri g e n s O p i n io n
’
.

The li t era ry an d crit ical a bilit ies of M r Bay n e e n t it le .

hi s op in io n s t o n o lit t l e w eig ht ; bu t t h e w r it in g s of
Sir H e n ry Van e are access ibl e an d w e may j udg e ,

for our se lves as t o t hei r t eachin g s On e of his l at es t .

1 V ol x x i.
.
p 1 66
. .
22 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Works w as e n t it l ed : The Retir ed M an s M e dit at i on s

’
,

or t h e M y s te rie an d P o w er of Godlin ess I n t h is . ,

”
speak in g of The I n carn at io n an d t he fruit s t hereo f ,

he says
'

We see t hereby t h e Devil an d h is An g els disappoin t ed

i n t heir w icked desi g n s ; w h o by t h e brin g in g i n of S in , ,

w ere i n hopes t o have hin dered t h e g ro w in g up of Jesus ,

t h e Bran c h t hat w as t o spri n g ou t of t his Root ; bu t

’
David s Root sitt in g as L ord at God s ri g ht han d h a d
’
, ,

bef or e obt a i n ed t h a t p ow e r w hi ch w a s t o s u bdu e a l l e n e m i e s,

’
and l a y the m f la t David s Offsprin g,
at h is f oots tool .

t herefore w as i n n o dan g er of havi n g his cour se st opped,

,

or race hi n dered w herei n as a M ig ht y S avi our an d Re

, ,

dee mer he w a s t o g o fort h a n d r e sc u e t h e w h ol e sp iri tu a l

, ,

s e e d ou t of th e h a n d s of S in an d S a ta n to br i n g t h e m i n to

t h e tru e Res t, an d obt a in a g ra c iou s r ep r i e ve a n d f or be a r

”
a n ce f or the mos t obs ti n a t e a n d r eb e lli ou s a l s o (p .

Ag a in : sp ea kin g of Jesus as th e S econ d A dam , he

Sa ys

He did all t hat w as n eedful an d all t hat God re ,

qui red to be don e for t h e re m issio n of S i n a n d t h e u tt er

, ,

abol is h i n g a n d re movi n
f ma n
’
g it ou t o s n a tu r e w i th an

absol u t e i n cap a ci ty f r e tu rn i n mor e

o e ve r g p on t h e tru e u

a n d r ig h t h e i rs s a l va t i on In
of . respect w hereof i t is
sai d t hat as by on e m an s disobedien ce m an y (t h a t is a ll )
,
’
,

w ere m ade si n n ers so by t h e obedie n ce of on e m an y

, ,

(th a t i s a l l) s h a ll be m a de rig h te ou s
, havin g t hat r an ,

som paid a n d m ean s provided i n h i m t o m ake t he m ri ht

,
g
eon s s o t h a t th e r e s h a l l be n o n e ce ss i ty r e m a i n i n g up on
any t o p e r is h , f or as mu ch a s su
fi ci e n t p r ovis i on i s m a de t o
b
ri n g a ll m en t o p e n t a n c e a n d t o t h e k n ow l e dg e
re
f
o th e
t ru t h tha t in Ada m a ll die d, s o i n t h is s e n s e a l l
gai n,
as a
,

i n Ch ri s t a re m a de a li ve
(p .
 r m: M Y STI CS . 23

F in al l y he sa ys o f Chris t t hat
, ,

He is made of God w isdom ri ght eousn ess, ju st i fica ,

t ion , an d rede m pt ion un t o t h e rig h t heirs of sal vat ion ,

and is beeoin e t h e m a n d p r op i ti at i on f or a ll si n n er s
ra n so

n ot
f or th ose on ly w h o so bel i e ve a s t h at th e y s h a ll be e ter
n a l l y s a ved , bu t f or th e w h ol e w orld as upo n t h e t erm s of
,

the first coven an t , ren ew ed i n t h e bl ood of Christ , t hey

are reun it ed un t o G od, an d a dmitt e d ag ain in t o con verse
an d fel l o w ship w it h hi m
(p .

On an ot her occas i on he sai d

Deat h i n st ead of t akin g an yt hin g aw ay from us
, ,

g ives us al l eve n t h e perfect ion of our n at ures ; set s us

,

a t li bert y b o t h fro m our ow n bodily desires an d o t h e rs

’
,

dom in at ion ; m akes t h e s e rvan t fr ee fro m his m ast er .

I t does n ot brin g us in t o d arkn ess bu t t akes d arkn es s ,

ou t of us us ou t of darkn ess ; an d put s us i n t o m arve l

,

lous lig ht N o t hi n g perishes or is di ssolved by deat h

.
, ,

bu t t h e veil an d cover in g w hich is w o n t t o be do n e aw ay

,

from al l ripe fru it I t brin g s us ou t of a dark dun g eon

. ,

t hroug h t h e cran n i es w hereof our sig ht of lig h t is bu t

w eak an d s mall an d br in g s us in t o an O pe n libert y an
, ,
” 1
est at e of lig ht an d life u veile d a d p rpe ual
n n e t .

To w ha t exte n t if a t all V an e soug h t t o propagate

, ,

his relig i ous opin ion s in M assachusett s i s unk n ow n .

Cot t on M at her z says t hat t h e evide n ce is co n fli ct in g ,

a n d c i t es an ol d N e w E n gl ish man uscr i p t as say i n g

“

t ha t
“
b e fore he w as scarce w arm in his sea t as g ov
,
”

he b egan t o b roach n e w t en et s ; bu t w ha t t hey ”

e rn or ,

w ere is n ot s t at e d .

1
Q u ot e d by Re v . Dr . Whit t e m ore , in t h e M ode rn Hist or y of

U n ive rs al is m” ,
vol . i p 1 45 , f rom
. . S t at e smen of t h e C ommon w e al t h
of E n g l an d
2 I n h is M ag n al ia ,
”
book 11 . ch a p . v.
24 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

Whoever has read Wen dell Phil l ips s eul og y on V an e ’

,

w ill n ot b e li eve t ha t he w as a m an t o shrin k from t h e

avo wal of h is v i ew s if occasion de m an ded i t bu t as he
,

w a s here in t urb u l e n t t im es an d his s t ay w as b ri ef his

, ,

o ff i c ial dut ies pro b abl y l eft h i m lit t le t i me or opport u

n it
y for re ligi ous co n t roversy b es i de t ha t forced upo n
h im b y t h e Hu t chin son ian ag it at i o n .

3U n iversali s t vie w s from t h e M yst i ca l st an dpoi n t

.
, ,

w ere a l so e n t e rt a in ed in M arbl ehead M assachuse tt s as , ,

earl y as J uly 1 684 w he n as appears fro m t h e S uff o l k

, , ,

Coun t y Court fi l es :
“
Joseph Gat chell of M arblehead w as presen t ed t hat ‘

he n ot havin g t h e feare of God before his eyes bei n g

i n st i g at ed by t h e div il l at t h e h ouse of Jerem iah Gat chell
i n discourse abt g e n erall S alvat io n (w h he sd w as his be "

l e if e ) t hat all m e n should be saved bei n g an s w e red ,

t h at our S aviour Chris t se n t fo rt h his disciples a n d g ave

t he m corm ss ron t o pre ach t h e G osp e l l a n d t hat w h o
soever Repen t s an d be l e iv e s shall be saved ; t o w hich
Joseph Gat chell An sw ered if i t be so he w a s a n I m
perfect saviour an d a f ool e He w a s “ se n t e n ce d t o
be ret urn ed fro m t h is plac e t o t h e pillory t o haue hi s
head ha n d pu t i n haue his t ou n g draw n fort h ou t
,

of his m out h p e ir c t t hroug h w t h a ho t t Iro n t he n t o be

r e t u r n d t o t h e p r iso n t her e t o Re m ay n e u n t il he s at t i s

fye p ay all y charg es of his t ryall ff e e s of Court

e

”
w e h
c am e se u e pou ds
n n .

4 B . ut b y far th e most emi n en t amon g th e M yst i cs ,

as an avow ed b e liever in an d preacher of Un iversa li sm ,

w as Dr George De B e n n e v il l e w h o cam e t o America

. , ,

an d set t l ed i n P en n sy l van ia in 1 7 4 1 O f Fren ch pare n t

, .
 T HE M Y STI C S . 25

age , he w as b orn in Lo n don in J u ly 1 7 0 3 Very earl y , ,

.

i n lif e he b ega n t o preach an d h i s e n t hus ias t i c ma n n er

,

a tt rac t ed s u ch a t te n t i on t hat t h e Fren ch Prot es tan t

min is t e rs in En gl a n d w ere made u n easy by w hat t hey
heard of h i m an d made a deman d t hat he shou l d g ive
,

t hem a c o n fe ss i o n o f h i s fai t h ; a n d on t he ir hear in g hi s

avo w a l o f fa it h in t h e rest orat io n o f all so u l s in formed ,

h im t hat t hey co u l d n ot ow n h i m as a mem b er of t he ir

church .

Beli ev in g t hat he w as called t o go in t o Fran ce an d

pre a ch t h e g ospel he t ook pas sag e at Dover for Ca la i s
, ,

an d on his arri va l b eg an t o preach in t h e market pl ace -

.

A rrest ed b y th e c i vi l au t horit i es he w as pun is hed w it h ,

e ig ht days imprison men t an d in formed t hat on a secon d

’
,

at t e m p t h i s life w oul d b e in da n g er Le av in g Calais .

,

he w en t in t o N orman dy w here his an ces t ors had li ved, ,

an d fou n d some eve n c l erg ymen w h o w ere w illin

, g to ,

as socia t e w it h h im w hose n am es he has recorded

, a ,

Duran t De l a Chevret te Dum ou lin L Acha r a n d o t hers

, , ,
’
, .

They me t in vall eys an d w oods an d some tim es g reat ,

cro w ds g at hered t o he ar t hem S ome o f t he ir n umb er .

w ere arres t ed o f w ho m severa l w ere han g ed ot hers

, ,

w hi pped b y th e han ds of t h e ha n gman an d b ran ded ,

w it h a h ot i ro n an d so m e w ere se n t t o t h e g a ll eys
,
At .

l en gt h De B e n n e vill e w as se ized an d w it h h im Duran t , , ,

o f Ge n eva A fter a mon t h s i mprison men t t hey w ere

.
’

con demn ed t o d ie D u ran t to b e han g e d an d De Ben n e

, ,

vill e t o b e b ehea ded Tog et her t hey w e n t t o t h e p lace

.

of exe cut i on .Duran t ascen ded t he l adder sun g a ,

psal m an d d ied j oy fu lly

,
De B en n e vil l e fell on hi s
.

k n ees pray i n g t o G od t o forg ive h is murderers an d ex

,

e ct in g i n s tan t deat h ; b u t w h il e t h e execu t i o n er w a s

p
26 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

bin d in g h i s han ds a courier arrived from Loui s XV

,
.

w it h a repri eve He w as t aken t o Pari s an d i mpris

.

on e d an d fi n a ll y lib era t ed at t h e in te rcess i o n of t h e

,

Q ueen .Aft er t h i s he w e n t t o German y preached ,

a m o n g t h e Fre n ch refug ees t here an d form ed q uit e an ,

ext e n sive ac qua in t an ce amon g t h e n o bili t y of Germa n y

an d Holla n d Cou n t De M arsay w as on e of h is most i n
.

t imat e fr ie n ds a n d t hrou g h h i m he b ecam e in t imat e if

, ,

n ot assoc ia t ed w it h Haug Hochman D i ppe l an d o t hers

, , , , ,

w h o w ere t he n en g ag ed in t h e t ran s l at i o n an d com

me n t ary kn ow n as t h e B e r l e bu rge r Bib e l Aft er .
”

preach in g in Germ an y a b out e igh t e e n years he w as ,

t ake n s i ck w as supposed t o b e dead a n d w as p laced in

, ,

his co ffin for b ur ia l Rev iv in g he alleg ed as ever aft er

.
, ,

he w it h great s in cerit y b el ieved t hat duri n g h i s separa ,

t i on from h i s b ody he had b ee n b ot h t o heave n an d

,

hell a n d had b ee n priv ileg ed w it h a vi ew o f w hat i s t o

,

t ake p l ace in t h e d i spe n sat i on of t h e fu l n ess of t im es

“
,

t h e rest orat i o n of all sou l s He decl ares t ha t he .

heard t h e heave n l y host shout in g w it h on e vo i ce an d ,

say in g : An e t ern al deli veran ce " An et ern al r e st ora

t io n An everlas t in g res t it ut i on of a ll t h in g s "
”

Rest ored t o healt h he again b egan t o preach bu t w as ,

o n ce more im pri son ed an d on bei n g s e t at lib er t y , ,

reso lved t o rem ove t o A meri ca w here he arri ved ,

i n 1 7 4 1 fee l in g h imse lf ca ll ed t o preach t h e g ospe l

, ,

in t h e N e w Wor l d S ome of t h e b eli evers in Germ an y

.

had preceded h i m in e mig rat in g t o our shores a n d ,

o t hers fo ll ow ed n ot l on g aft er There w ere refug ees .

al so from o t her l an ds en j oy in g l ib ert y of con sc ien ce

, “

i n P e n n sy lvan ia A mon g t hese w as Jean B e rt ol e t

.
,

from Fran ce w h o had made h i s home i n t h e t ow n

,
 T HE M Y S TI C S .
27

o f O l ey Vi s it in g German t o w n in 1 7 43 he w as so
.
,

charmed w it h t h e di scourse an d charact er of De B e n

n evi ll e t hat b e pe rs u ad ed h i m t o accompan y him home
,

as t h e in s t ruct or of hi s chil dren an d phys i c ia n t o t h e

n e ig h b orhood There w ere n o churches t hen i n Oley
.

t h e n eares t b ein g a b ou t t e n m il es di s t a n t if w e excep t ,

a M oravia n sc hool house an d mi ss i on s t at ion some

-

t hr ee m il es n ort h of t h e p l ace es t abli shed ab ou t t his ,

t im e . Here De B e n n e v il l e occa s io n a lly preached bu t ,

w as a t l en gt h opposed b y t h e propr iet ors I n 1 7 45 he .

married t h e daug ht er of M r B e rt ol e t an d at t hat t im e .

,

j oin ed w it h his fa t he r in l a w in t h e erect i on of a su b

- -

st an t ial man s i on st ill s t an d in g on e larg e cha m b er of

, ,

w h i ch he con s t r u ct ed especia ll y for co n ve n i en ce as a

place of w orsh ip an d a schoo l room -

.

This roo m w ill se at fift y people The orig in al e n .

t ran ce w a s by s t airs lea din g up on t h e out side of t h e

house e n t erin g by t w o doors direct ly over t h e m ain
, ,

en t ran ce belo w In cludin g t h e r oo m of e n t ran ce on e

.
,

hun dr ed p erso n s could easily be seat ed w it hin soun d

of t h e speaker s voice ; bu t as t h e coun t ry w as t he n
’

sparsely set t led it is n ot probable t hat his con g re g at io n s

,

oft en reached t hat n u mber ” 1 .

Here Dr De Ren n ev ill e res ided t ill 1 7 5 5 w hen on

.
, ,

accoun t of t h e v i ole n t depredat i on s of t h e In d ian s in

t h e v i c in i t y he in common w it h m an y o t hers b eca m e
, , ,

al arm ed an d removed t o Green Lan e Germ an t ow n , ,

w here he res ided t ill 1 7 6 8 w he n he m oved t o M i l es ,

t o w n w here he res i ded t il l h i s dea t h in 1 7 9 3

,
He .

pai d occ as i on a l v i s it s t o Ol ey t ill an advan ced age ,

1 Re v . J am e s S hrig l e y ,
in T h e C h rist ian L e ade r, O ct 4, 1 883
. .
28 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

b ein g accompan ied in h is last v i s it by Rev Elhan a n .

W in ches t er .

The German em igra n t s t o Germ an t o w n b roug ht w it h

t hem t h e pri n t in g press w h i ch t hey had used a t Ber
l in bu rg h an d on i t w as prin t ed in 1 7 5 3 doub t l ess a t
, , ,

t h e sugg es t i on of De Re n n ev ill e an E n g l ish e di t i on ,

of Sie gvol ck s E verl as t in g Gospel t h e fi rst b ook

’ “
,
”

pu bli shed in Am erica in defe n ce of U n i versali sm A .

review of t h i s b oo k b y Rev N P omp pu bl ished i n . .

,

1 7 7 4 con t ai n s t h e s t at eme n t t ha t t h e doc t rin e o f t h e

,

rest orat io n of all t hi n g s

“ ever m ore w idely
spread t han i n t h e pres e n t
w as n

cen t ury ; of w hich t h e n u m erous co n t roversial w rit in g s ,

p r o an d can t hat have appeared i n E urope w it hin t h e

,

last fift y years are s u fficie n t proof Ye t n ow here has

,
.

t his doct ri n e bee n m ore successful an d m ade g reat er

pro gress t han here in Pen n sylvan ia I n E urope t h e .

in dust ry of m an y learn ed a n d g odl y m e n has t hro w n

i n superable obst acles i n it s w ay ; bu t here t h e st ream
has been allo w e d free course an d t h e fire has burn ed
,

as it w ould There w ere already m an y copies of t h e

.

“
E verlas t in g Gospel ” w hich n ot bei n g privile g ed i n
, ,

Germ a n y w ere purchased at a cheap rat e by mo n ey

,

m akin g people an d broug h t here ; an d t h ey have also

,

bee n i n d u st riously scat t ered by t h e press The charm in g .

“ ”
t it le
,
The E verlast in g Gospel in duced m an y i g n oran t
,

people t o buy t h e book an d t h e doct ri n e it in culcat es

,

i n clin ed m an y t o believe .

There i s doub t t ha t w e are in de bt ed t o Dr De

n o .

B e n n e v il l e for t h e ex t e n s ive c ircu l a t io n of t h i s b ook ,

a n d for i n dus t r i ous m i ss i o n ary w ork i n spread in

g a
k n o w ledg e of U n iversa l ism H i s t i me w as for severa l
.

years a b ou t e q uall y d iv ided b e t w een t he pract i ce of

 T HE M Y STI CS . 29

med ic in e in w h ich he had g reat sk ill an d b y mean s

, ,

o f w hi ch he support ed h i mse lf an d preachin g w it h , ,

ou t compe n sat i on w herever oppor t u n it y o ffered

, U n til .

preve n t ed by ol d age it w as h i s cust om t o perform ,

a j ourn ey t w i ce a year for t h e purpose of preach in g .

H is v i s its at s u ch t imes w ere t hrough t h e w es t ern

port i on o f Pe n n sy lvan ia an d t o M ary lan d an d Vi rgin ia. ,

I n 1 7 90 he w r it es t o his dau g ht er : “ I n my ol d age ,

s in ce I am eight y eig ht years o ld m y m in d i s st ill se t

-
,

t o pr each t h e G ospe l The Dun ker churches w ere .

fr eely ope n t o him an d al so for a w hil e t h e M ora , , ,

vian ; bu t t h e latt er w ere at l ast shut aga in st h im .

Th e M orav i an s had it seem s at t h e in st igat i on o f , ,

Co u n t Z in ze n dorf est abli shed in 1 7 42 The Pen n,

“
, ,

sy l van ia S y n od emb rac in g represe n t at i ves o f all t he

,
”

German re lig iou s den omin at ion s in t hat provin ce .

They adop t ed as t he ir t it l e The Con gr egat io n o f God “

i n t h e Sp ir it an d had for t heir a im th e u n io n of t h e

,

G erman churches on th e b as i s of experi men t al religion .

I t s la b ors w ere con t in ued s i x years w hen it w a s ,

ch an g ed t o a Syn od of t h e Un it ed B re thren s Church ’

,

excl us i vel y M orav ian Thi s in t erest in g movemen t .

,
”

says Rev M r De S chw e in it z

. .
1
w as a b eaut ifu l bu t ,

premat ure i dea l w h ich in t h e e n d served rat her t o

, , ,

augmen t t he exi s t in g d iff eren ces amo n g religi on ist s

t ha n t o est a blis h t h e u n it y of t h e sp i rit in t h e b on ds
o f peace ”
On e o f t h e sess i o n s of th e Syn od w as he ld
.

at Ol ey an d w as made up of represe n t a t ives o f

,
M ora
v ian s Lu t heran s Reformed Tun kers M en n on it es
, , , , ,

S ch w en k fe l ders S eparat is t s an d Herm it s

,
P oss ibly ,
.
,

1 T he L if e an d Ti me s of D a v id Z e isbe rg e r, by E dmu n d De
S chw e in it z , p 106
. .
30 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

on t h e demon s t ra t i on o f t h e i mpract i cab ilit y of t h e un i on

’

soug h t by t h e Sy n od th e M orav ian s m ay have excl uded

,

a ll ot hers from t hei r houses of w orsh i p ; an d if so n o ,

spec ial cen sure of De B e n n e vil l e s v i ew s may have b een ’

in t en ded b y his ex cl us ion .

Dr De B e n n e v il l e in h i s l at er life man ifest ed a great

.

avers io n t o t h e publ icat io n of an y t h in g a b ou t h imself ,

an d j us t b efore h is deat h he des t royed man y of h i s

man uscript s A mo n g t h e papers w h i ch re main ed w a s

.

a Germ an t ran s la t ion in De B e n ne v il l e s w ri t in g o f a

,
’
,

Comme n t ary on t h e Apocalypse b y Cou n t de M arsay , .

Thi s w as pu blished in Le b a n on Pe n n sy l van i a in 1 80 8 , , ,

mak in g a t hi ck duodeci m o vol u m e o f 6 34 pag es As , .

specim en s of it s Un i versali sm w e here presen t severa l ,

of i ts commen t s on t w o passages in Revelat i on

xv .
'

4 :
“
Wh o shall
fear t hee O L ord an d g lorify
n ot , ,

t h y n am e for t hou on l y ar t holy : for all n at io n s shall

c o m e a n d w orshi p befo re t hee ; for t h y jud g m e n t s are

made m an ifest ” This sho w s i n like m an n er h ow all

.

m e n all peoples an d n at ion s shall on e day com e t o w or

,

ship God B u t in order t hat t hey m ay an d w ill do t his

.
,

it is n ecessarily require d t hat t hey subj ec t t he m selves t o

God t hat t hey ret urn t o His order an d reco g n ize H im
,

as t heir S overei g n an d L ord : bu t in order t o t his it is ,

n e cessary t hat t heir w ills cease t o be rebellious ; an d

fro m t his m o m en t t heir con de m n at io n w ill cease because ,

t h e rebellion of t heir w ills t h e cause of t heir dam n at io n , ,

h as ceased For h ow w i t hout t his can t hey w orship

.

God sin ce w orship con sist s i n t his t hat t hey ack n ow l

, ,

e dg e His soverei gn pow er an d freely subject t hem selves ,

t o H im a n d re n der such ho m ag e a n d se rvi ce as belon g s

t o H im ; an d t his w illi n g subject io n a n d ho m ag e m ust
be offered especially t o God, w h o alo n e w ill be loved an d
w orshipped by His creat ures freely an d w i t hou t force or
 T HE M YS TI C S . 31

com pulsio n For God h as en do w ed his creat ures w it h

.

all t heir n oble po w ers t hat is w it h free wi ll t o t his very

, , ,

e n d t hat freely an d w it hou t c o m pulsio n , b

, u t ou t of love ,

t hey shoul d su bject t he m selves t o H im as t h at w herein ,

t rue w orship con sist s an d w hich al on e i s acc e pt able t o

,

H i m an d is t h e fulfilli n g of t h e g reat co mma n dm e n t

,

(M at t xxii Thou shalt love t h e L ord t h y God w it h

‘
. .

all t h y heart an d w it h all t hy soul an d w it h all t h y

, ,

m in d From t his i t follo w s t hat all n at io n s in g en eral

'
’
.
,

an d co n seque n t ly all m e n i n par t icul ar w h o are born i n

t his w orld w h o have lived in i t an d sh all hereaft er live

, ,

in i t — al l t h ese me n I say e n dow ed w it h in t ellect s

, , , ,

m ust of free w ill an d w it hout com puls i on , love God an d ,

fin a lly come t o w orship H im Hen ce t hey can in n o .

m an n er be rebellious n or con sequen t ly be da mn e d for

,

ever an d ever w it hout e n d On t h e con t rary, th ey w ill

on e day chan g e t he i r rebellio n i n t o obedien ce an d sub ,

j e ct t he m sel ves t o t heir God He n ce, t hese jud g

.

m e n t s of God ar e properly speaki n g n o j udg me n t s of

, ,

w r at h an d pun ishm e n t w hose e n d i s t o dest roy t hose

,

upon w hom t hey are visit ed eit her t o an n ihilat e t he m

,

or t o t orm en t t he m et ern all y N o in deed, n ot so " For

.
,

t hat w oul d r u n dir ect ly ag ai n st w hat such a God ca n do ,

of w hom t h e beloved A post le says t hat He i s L ove If .

His n at ure is such t hat He is L ove t h e purest L ove , ,

t he n He c an n o t aban don cre at u res w hom He m ade p ar

t akers of t h i s n at ure t hat He shou l d n ot re n der t he m
,

part akers also of His felicit y an d ren der t he m happy

i n u n io n w it h H im w hic h w a s t h e e n d for w hich He
,

creat ed t he m I t can n o t be I say, t hat as God is t h e

‘

.
,

pur est love, he should leave t hese miserable creat ures

oppressed un der t h e w eig h t of His judgmen t s w orld ,

w it hout e n
xx 1 3 : “ An d t h e sea g ave up t h e dead w hich w ere in
.

it ; an d deat h an d hell delivere d up t h e dead w h i ch w ere

i n t he m ; an d t hey w ere judg ed every man accordi n g t o
32 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t heir w orks T h e n w ill t here be a n e w eart h F or

. .

t h e devil an d t h e dam n ed t here w ill re m ai n n o o t her

place of i mpriso n m e n t t han t h e abyss in t h e cen t re of
t h e eart h w hich w ill co n t in ue t o t h e rest orat ion of all
,

t hin g s The n w ill t his also be chan g ed sin ce all s in an d

.
,

e v il must be an n ihilat ed ” .

5 . phase of Germ an M yst i cism orig in a t in g w i t h

A
Georg e Rapp a Ger m an b orn at Ipt in ge n in Wur t e m
, ,

b erg in 1 7 5 7 w a s b rough t t o t h is cou n t ry in 1 803 b y

, , ,

it s foun der fleein g h it her from persecu t i on

,
A t firs t .

t h e co m m u n it y se tt l ed in Bu t l er Coun t y P a Te n ,
.

years l at er t hey moved t o P osey Coun t y I n d an d in ,

.
,

1 82 5 re t urned t o Pen n sy l van ia es t a blish i n g t he ir home ,

in Beaver Cou n t y a t a p lace w h i ch t hey n amed ,

Econ omy They are somet imes called Ra pp is t s some

.
,

t im es Harmon is t s a n d n ot u n fre q uen t l y from t h e n ame

, ,

of t heir sett l emen t E con om i st s For a f e w years com , .

,

mun it y o f goods an d t h e hope of t h e approach of t h e

,

m ill en ium ch iefly d is t in gu i shed t hem ; bu t in 1 80 7

, ,

u n der th e in flue n ce of w ha t t hey regarded as a great

a w a ke n in g t hey vol u n t aril y an d u n a n i mousl y adop t ed
,

cel ibacy w h ich t hey have main t ain ed t ill t h e prese n t

“

t i me For several years t he ir soci e t y w a s in a fl ou r ‘

i shin g co n d it i on a n d t hey he l d t heir g rou n d n umeri

,

cally t ill 1 83 1 n um b erin g at t imes ab out a t housan d

,

memb ers A pret en ded Coun t M ax imilian de Leon

.
,

j oin ed t h em in t h e year l as t men t i on ed an d soon

‘
,

so w ed d i scord They are n ow reduced in n um b ers.

t o a b ou t e ig h t y a ll German s an d n o l o n er seek ,
g ,

ac c e s s10 n s .

It i s st at ed as t he eight h art i cl e of t he ir religi ous

b elief that ,
 T HE M YS T I CS . 33

Th e y b e lieve i n t h e ult im at e red e mpt io n an d salv a

t io n of all m an kin d : bu t hold t h at o n ly t hos e w h o follo w
t h e celibat e life an d ot her w ise c o n form t o w h at t hey
,

un derst a n d t o be t h e co mm an dm en t s of Je sus w ill c o me ,

a t o n ce i n t o t h e br i g ht a n d g lorious co m pan y of Chris t

an d his co m p an io n s ; t hat offe n ders w ill u n der o a pro

g
b a t i on a n d purifica io
t n
” 1
.

A s t h is con cl udes our n o t ice of t h e M ys t ics it m a y n ot ,

b e am iss t o m en t io n here t w o ot her sources from w h ich

t h e U n i versali s m m en t i on ed b y Rev M r P o m p as pre . .

vaili n g so ext e n sive ly in Pen n syl van ia m ay h a ve co m e , .

1 Cot emporary w it h Dr De Ren n eville an d on t erm s

. .
,

of c l osest in t imacy w it h hi m w as Thomas Say of Phila , ,

de lphia a w e ll k n o w n phil an t hrop is t an d a m em b er of

,
-
,

t h e S oc i e t y of Frie n ds Born in 1 7 0 9 he b ecam e a

.
,

beli ever in U n iversal S alvat ion w he n quit e you n g an d , ,

sin gu larly t hrou gh t h e in st ru m en t ali t y of w hat he r e

,

garded as a supern at ura l v i sion Dyi n g i n 1 7 9 6 he .

,

left a man uscri p t of h is li fe an d w rit in g s w hich w as ,

pu blished b y h is s on I n it he says t hat .

The variet y of Go d s dispe n s at io n s t o m an is alo n e

’

t h e e ffe c t of his u n i versal o mn ipot e n t a n d n ever e n di n g

, ,
-

love t o his c re at ures a n d w hich in t h e e n d m ust an d

,

w ill acco m plish t h e salvat io n of all m e n especi al l y of ,

“
t h ose t h at b e lieve
”
S om e he says “ have t hou g ht t h at
”
.
, ,

t h e pro m ul g at io n of t h e doc t ri n e of u n iversal be n e v o

le n ce an d rest orat io n of m a n m i ght do in jury at t his
, ,

t i m e ; bu t I believe diff e re n t ly a n d t hi n k t hat every ,

soul w hich c an be made fully se n sible of t his e xt ra ordi

n a ry divi n e love t o t h e creat io n w ill be a hu m bled cre a

t ure a n d oft e n have t o adore t h e g reat a n d po w erful

,

1 M c C l in t oc k an d S t ron g
'
s C y cl o aedia, vol . vii i
p .
—
pp 9 1 1 9 1 3
.
. S t ar
”
an d C ov e n a n t, C h i cag o, N ov . 13 , 18 80 .

VOL . I . 3
34 UNI V ERSALI SM rN AM ERI C A .

c on descen din g m ercy of Om n ipo t en ce t o it self an d t o all ,

m e n ; an d have freque n t ly t o re n der t han ks g ivin g an d

praise as at t h e foot st ool of g race an d pow er
,
I h ope .

a n d b e lieve t hat t his pri n ciple w ill y e t cover t h e eart h

as t h e w at ers cover t h e sea (Isaiah xi so t hat t here .

m ay be n o n e fou n d w h o ca n n ot say, Co m e brot her ; ‘

,

co m e sist er
, .
’

There i s reaso n t o b e lieve t hat man y Fri en ds or ,

Q uakers shared t his b e li ef w it h h im for

, ,

2 M an y of t h e early em igra n t s from Germ a n y a n d

.

Ho ll an d t o P en n sylvan ia w ere avo w ed b e li evers in t h e ,

rest orat i on o f all t h in gs b e fore leavin g t heir n at ive .

shores F ive years b efore William P en n came t o

.

Ameri ca v i z in 1 6 7 7 he made in compan y w it h

,
.
, , ,

Georg e Fox Rob ert Barclay an d o t hers of h is relig ious

,

b eli ef a v i sit t o Holl an d an d German y for t h e pu rpose

, ,

of spread in g t he kn o w ledg e of t h e t ru t h as he hel d it .

I n Ho llan d he w as b roug h t in con t ac t w it h t h e M en n o

n i t es t hen d iv i ded in t o t w o par t i es on e of w h i ch w as
, ,

favorably i n clin ed t o if it d i d n ot profess an d advocat e

, ,

Un iversalis m I n German y he f ou n d h is ch i e f frie n ds

.

am o n g t he M yst i cs o f t h e school o f Jan e Lead w hose ,

w orks w ere t ran s l at ed an d ext en sive l y c i rcu l a t ed i n

Germ an y Here t oo he made t h e ac quain t an ce of

.
, ,

Dr J W ilhe l m Pet ersen an d of J ohan n a Eleon ora

. .
,

v on M er lau a w o m a n of more t han ord in ary men t al

,

abilit ies a n d su b se q ue n t l y t h e w ife o f P et erse n w h o

, , ,

as w e ll as her husb an d w rot e an d pu blis hed in defen ce ,

of t h e doct r in e of t h e Res t orat i on of all t hin g s

“
.
”

W it h t h e f oun dat i on pr in c ip l es of t h e M ys t ics P en n ,

'

an d h i s assoc i at es had much in comm o n ; a n d w he n a ,

f e w years la t er Pe n n ca m e in t o posses s i on of h i s g reat

,
 T HE DUN E RS K . 35

est at e i n America an d t hre w open the S t at e of Pen n

,
“

sy lva n ia for t h e purpose of t ryin g t h e hol y e xpe ri

“ "

m e n t as he st y led it of t h e t ol erat i on of all re l ig ion s

”
, , ,

t h e M e n n on it es of Holl an d a n d t h e M ys t i cs o f Ger ,

m an y w ere a m on g t h e fi rs t t o b ecome purch asers of

lan d in t h e n e w coun t ry El eon ora v on M erlau w as .

on e o f t e n t o purch a se acres for t h e purp ose of

est abli shi n g t hereo n t h e t ow n of Germ an t o w n an d it ,

w a s origin all y her in t e n t i o n a n d su b se q uen t l y t ha t o f ,

Pet ersen t o w hom she w as marri ed i n 1 6 80 t o emigrat e

, ,

t o t h e N e w Worl d Th i s part of t h e plan n ever w as

.

execut ed bu t t h e German s w h o did com e an d w h o w ere

,

t h e origin a l set t l ers of G erm an t o w n Pe n n sy lvan ia w ere , ,

for t h e most par t sympat h i zers w it h Pete rse n an d hi s

w if e in t heir re lig i ous vi e w s 1 .

II . T HE DUN KERS .

THE secon d chan n e l t hrou gh w h i ch Un iversal ism

came t o us w as t h e G er m an Bap t i s t s s o me t i me s cal led ,

Tu n kers more oft en Dun kers an d as t hey prefer t o be

, ,

call ed Bre t hren They origin a t ed a t Sch w arzen au Ge r

,
.
’

ma n y in 1 7 0 8 ; bu t on accou n t of persecu t io n came t o

,

Am eri ca in 1 7 1 9 an d origin ally se t t led i n P e n n syl vania

,

They w ere from t h e fi rst b el ievers in u n iversal re st ora

t i on bu t have in t h e mai n h e l d it pr i vat e l y
, ,
A divi ,
.

si on occu r red in t hei r ran ks in 1 7 2 5 led by Co n rad ,

Be is sel m ain l y on t h e quest i o n of t h e Sabbat h Beisse l

, ,

an d h i s fo ll o w ers in s i s t in g on t h e o b serva n ce of t h e

seven t h day At firs t t h e seceders resort ed t o a hermit

.

life a n d su b se que n t ly t hey es t abli shed a mon as ti cal

,

1 Pe n n syl van i a M aga zin e , vol . ii pp 2 3 7 —2 82

. . .
l
36 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

soc ie t y at Ephrat a P en n syl van ia Bo t h b ran ches he l d

, .

t o t h e doct r in e of t h e res t orat ion of a ll sou l s .

Israe l Acre l iu s Provost M ag is t er o f th e S w ed ish

,

Church in Am eri ca describ es a v is it w h ich h e m ade t o,

E phra t a i n 1 7 5 3 for t h e purpose of s t udy in g t h e doc

,

trin es an d m ode of life of t h e foll o w ers of Be i sse l He .

foun d amo n g t hem Pet e r M ull er w h o had form erly ,

b een a m in is t er in t h e Reformed Church in Germa n y , ,

an d w ho m he describ es as a very learn ed m an for w hom ,

t h e b re t hre n have g reat respec t an d n ot w it hou t rea ,

s on for he is a p ru de n t m an upo n w hom t he ir order

, ,

ch ie fly depen ds alt hough he gi ves h im sel f n o h ig her

,

n ame t han t ha t o f a simp l e b rot her

1 ”
.

He says t ha t durin g a w al k fro m t h e B re t h re n s ’

House t o t h e Church , ,

M
uller asked m e if I believed t h at t h e p ain s of he ll
w ere e t ern al To w hich I an s w ered Just as c e rt aI n I y
.
,
‘

as t h e j oy of heave n is e t ern al H ow e lse 7 I asked in .

‘

reply N ay said he ; I do n ot believe t hat t h e soul

.
‘
,
’ ‘

w hich is a part of God s bei n g c an perish e t ern ally

’
, .

‘
B u t said I,
’
I un de r st an d t hat you believe t hat t h is
,

part of Go d s bei n g lies for t housan ds of m illi on s of

’

years in t h e pun ish m e n t of hell as i n a sort of purifyin g ,

fire Dear M r M uller said I y ou are a be n evole n t

. .
,
’
,
‘

m an bu t l e t n ot your charit y ext e n d s o f ar as t o w ish t o

,

ext in g uish th e fi res of h ell Re m e mber t hat t here w as .

a g reat g u lf bet w ee n Abraham s boso m a n d t h e rich ’

m an s pl ac e of pu n ish m e n t so t hat n o on e could go from

’
,

t h e on e place t o t h e ot her Yea said h e so lo n g a s .

’ ‘
,
’
,

you are evil an d I g ood w e shall n ever ag re e bu t if w e , ,

are bo t h g ood t hen w e shall w ell ag ree Whe n t hirt y

, .

1 Hist or y of Ne w S w e den by I ra l A , s e cre liu s . M e moirs of t h e His

t orical S ocie t y of Pe yl an i ol xi p
nns v a, v . . . 374 .
 T HE D UN ERSK . 37

i e [fo rt y n i n e ] t housan d years have passed t he great

n n -
,

ju bil ee come s w h e n t h e devil shall he chain ed

,
I un ’
. e

de r st ood w ell w he n ce t hat ca m e an d w hit her it t e n ded .

When w e h ad m ade t h e dist in ct io n bet w een a e te rn i tas

(et e rn it y ) an d a e vi t e rn it a s ( a g reat period) , w e ar rived at
t h e church door, a n d t hat w a s t h e e n d of t h e m att er 1 .

El se w here in describi n g som e o f t he ir pecul ia rit ies o f

,

b eli e f Acre liu s says : t hey b el ieve in a p u rgat ory or

, ,

pur ifyin g fi re aft er deat h ; on w h i ch accou n t als o , ,

Fat her Friedsam a t cert ain times off ers prayers for th e
”
dead .

The Ephr at a Dun kers es t abli shed a S u n day s chool -

in 1 7 40 w h i ch i s b el ieved t o have b een t h e firs t Su n

,

day school es t abli shed in A m erica Aft er t he bat t l e o f

-
.

Bran dy w in e dur in g t h e Revolu t io n ary War t heir b u il d

, ,

in g s w ere se ized an d used for hosp ital p u rposes an d ,

t h e Su n day schoo l w a s t he n b roke n up

-
As l at e as .

1 7 93 James Bo lt on on e of t h e ir n umb er p u bli shed a

, , ,

pamph l et in w h ich he severely cen s ures t h e Bre t hren

,
”

for n ot giv in g great er pu bli cit y t o th e doct ri n e of Un i

versa l Rest orat i on assert in g t ha t t h e G erman Bap t is t s
,

all b e li eve i t
”
.

The o t her b ran ch of t h e Dun ker church a ls o all ow ed

t h e pu bli cat i on o f b ooks a t German t ow n in de fen ce o f ,

Un i versal Res t orat ion Bot h De B e n n e v ill e an d Elba

.

n an W in ches t er w ere favora bl y rece ived b y t hem an d ,

preached in t heir churches i n several l ocali t ies Ab out . .

1 7 85 John H am an e l der in on e of t heir churches in

, ,

N or t h Carolin a b egan t o prea ch t h e doct rin e o f n o

,

f u t ure p u n i shme n t an d b ein g a man o f g reat t al en t s

, ,

an d o f popu l ar address ma n y co n vert s w ere made t o ,

1 M e moir s of t h e Hi st or ical S ocie t y of P enns yl i

v a n a , vo l . xi. p 3 87
.
38 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

h is .
v ie ws, chie fly in V ir g in ia a n d t h e Caro lin as T he . .

church a t larg e b ecam e alar med an d at a cou n c il he l d

'

ab out t ha t t im e t hey decided ag a in s t preach in g or

~
"
,

say in g an yt h in g in pub l i c a b out t h e doct rin e of Res

t ora t ion S ub seque n t ly Joh n H am an d h i s foll o w ers
.
,

w ere c u t off from t h e fe ll o w s h i p of t h e church .

This fact in t h e his t ory of t h e Dun kers w ill exp l ain

w ha t ot herw i se m ig h t see m con t rad i c t ory t ha t w h il e ,

ho l din g t o t h e doct ri n e of Un iversal Res t ora t io n t hey ,

repel t h e c harg e of b e in g Un iversa li s t s I f I w ere t o .

say t o my n e ig hb ors sa i d a Dun ker preacher w hom

,
”

t h e w rit er o n ce v i s i t ed I have a U n i versalist preacher

,

st opp in g at my house t hey w ould say H ow do you , ,

‘

dare t o have such a charac t er un der your roof 7 bu t if

I shoul d say I have a frie n d w it h me w h o preaches
,

U n iversal Rest orat i on t h ey w oul d say Have you ? , ,

I am glad ; I w ou ld li ke t o come in an d see h i m

I n S out h Carolin a t h e doc t rin e o f U n iversa l Re st ora
t i on w a s preached amo n g t h e Du n kers w i t h g rea t
accept an ce as earl y as 1 7 80 The cir cul at i on of t h e
, .

w r i t i n g s of Rev Wi lli am La w w as t h e
. i mmedi a t e -

in cit emen t t o en erg et i c di scourse on t hi s vi e w o f hu m an

des t in y Rev M r M art in a Dun ker preacher b ecame
. . .
, ,

con vin ced t hat he oug h t t o preach t h e doct rin e of

U n i versal Sal vat i on in i t s fu ln ess G il es Chapman .
,

a Du n ker preacher fol l o w ed hi s exam p l e in 1 7 82 a n d

, ,

soon t h e en t ire Du n ker con g reg at ion b ecame e n t h u s i

ast ic in t h e b e lief of U n iversal Rest ora t i on I t w as t he .

in flue n ce of t heir zeal n o doub t w h ich g ave occas i on

, ,

for t h e in q u ir y of t h e Syn od of t h e Caro li n as t o t he

Pre sby t erian Gen era l A ssem bl y in 1 7 92 an d 1 7 94 ,
,

as men t i o n ed in th e c los in g sect i on o f t h is chap t er .

 T HE D UN ERS K . 39

I n t he An n a l s
of N ew b ury ( S w r itt e n b y
, .

J udg e O N e al a Bap t is t t here is t h e foll o w in g n ot i ce

’
, ,

of G il e s Chapman
O ft en ha ve I heard hi m discourse He w as beyon d .

al l doubt an eloquen t an d gi ft ed pre acher, an d seemed t o

be in s pir ed w it h a full port ion of t hat holy an d di vin e
sp irit w hi ch t aug ht God is L ove
, His educat i on an d
.
’

m ean s of in format ion w ere lim it ed ; y e t his M ig h t y

M ast er spake by h im as he did by t h e fisherme n , i n
,
‘

t hou ght s t hat breat h e an d w ords t hat burn His m in .

’

i st ry w as m uch follow ed an d in recur rin g t o his spot less

,

life an d con versat ion his con t in ue d zeal t o do g ood his

, ,

ki n d an d b en evolen t i n t ercour se w it h m e n an d t h e meek ,

hum il it y w it h w hich he bore t h e railin g of t h e sect s w h o

d i ffere d i n opin io n w it h h i m I have n ever e n t ert ain ed
,

a doubt t hat w het her ri g ht or w ron g i n abst ract mat t ers

,

of fait h an d t heolo gy he w a s in deed a disciple of H im

,
”
w h o came i n t o t h e w orld t o save sin n ers .

The presen t memb ersh ip of t h e Du n kers i s give n in

The Record o f t h e Fait hfu l ( 1 882 ) as ”
Ot her
est imat es p l ace t heir n u m b er ab ove They are
most n umerous in Pen n syl van ia O hi o Illin oi s an d , , ,

In dian a .

Ab out fi ft y years ag o Al exan der C amp b e ll f ou n der

,
, ,

o f t he sect kn ow n as t h e D isciples v i s it ed Ph iladel ph ia;

,

an d a t t empt ed t o in duce t h e Dun ker church i n t ha t

cit y t o en roll t hemselves am on g h is di sc ip l es an d t hus ,

form th e n ucleus of a larg er m ovem en t H i s proposi .

t i on w as made t o Ti mo t hy Ban g er on e o f t h e preachers ,

i n th e church an avow ed an d out spoken b e li ever in

,

Un iversal Rest orat io n M r Ban g er rep li ed

. .

We ar e b ot h for bapt is m by i mmersion , an d I do n ot

40 U NI VERS A LI S M I N AM ERI C A .

see an y reaso n w h y w e s hould j oin y ou t hat w ould n ot ,

e q u ally require y ou t o joi n u s .

M r Cam p bell a n s w ered “ You celebrat e t h e L ord s

’
.
,
’
S upper t w ice a year w h ereas w e celebra t e i t every L ord s ,

day .

That replie d M r Ban g er “ is on ly i n creasin g t h e

,
.
,
;

n u m be r of t im es bu t does n ot t ouch t h e pri n ciple

,
.

What do you say Co n cern in g t h e w ashin g of feet We

do th a t : do y ou ? Besides w e hold t o t h e rest it ut io n of ,

all t hin g s : do y ou 1 ’

N e g at ive replies sealed t h e co n clu sion Ou r t est i

m o n y is alt o g e t her t h e lar g es t a n d g ran d e s t ; a n d vain ly
” 1
you t y t o arg ue us i o reli quish e of
r n t n m n t i t .

Ben j am in Rush in An Accou n t o f t h e G erman

Dr .
,
“

In ha bit an t s of P e n n sy l van ia w rit t en pri or t o 1 7 9 8 , ,

says of t h e D u n kers They ho l d t h e doct rin e of U n i ,

versa l Salva t io n ; an d aft er me n t i o n in g t h e seced in g

bran ch at Ephrat a adds ,

The S eparat ist s w h o likew ise disse n t ed fro m t h e ,

Dun kers re ject t h e ordin an ces of bapt is m an d t h e

,

sacram e n t ; an d hold t h e doct ri n e of t h e Frie n ds con ,

cern in g t h e in t ern al revela t io n of t h e g ospel They hold .

,

w it h t h e Dun k e rs t h e doct ri n e of U n iversal S alvat io n

, .

The si n g ular p iet y an d exe mpl ary m or alit y of t hese ,

sect s have bee n u r g e d by t h e advocat es for t h e salvat io n

, ,

of all m an kin d as a proof t hat t h e belief of t h at doct rin e

,

is n ot so un frien dly t o m orals an d t h e order of socie t y , ,

” 2
as has bee n supposed .

The l at e Rev John A Gurl ey w h il e on a j ourn ey in

. .
,

t h e Wes t in 1 839 t hus w rot e t o t h e S t ar in t h e Wes t

, ,

of w hi ch he w as ed it or
1 A Ce n tu r y of U n ive rsal ism, by Re v Abe l C T homas , p 1 6 0 . . . .

2 E s sa y s, L it e rar y M oral , an d Phil osophi cal , b

,
y B e n a min Ru sh , j
M . D .
, pp 2 40 , 2 4 1
. .
 T HE DUN ERS K . 41

On t h e day follow in g t h e on e I spen t i n Q ui n cy ,

I at t e n de d a n appoin t m e n t a bout fift een m iles dis t an t ,

a n d d elivered a d i cou r se t o a very lar g e co n g re g at io n

s
of D u n kards I w a s m uch pleased w it h t h e visit an d
.

w it h t h e people H e r e I becam e acquain t ed w it h Fat her

.

Wolf a preach e r of t h e above order bu t of our fait h in

, ,

all t h in g s relat in g t o t h e doct ri n e of t h e Bible He is .

a re m arkable m an for his p o w ers of reaso n in g an d is ,

e s t ee m ed by t hos e bes t acquai n t ed w i t h h i m as possess ,

in g n at ural po w ers of m i n d equal t o an y i n t h e S t at e .

He has preached U n iversalis m more t han t w e n t y fiv e -

years an d has been t h e m ean s of con vert in g hun dreds

, ,

an d perhaps t housan ds His success in t h e sout hern

.

part of t h e S t at e h as be e n g re at an d his t alen t s a n d ,

ch ar act er co mm an d t h e hig h est est e e m a n d respect

w herever he is kn o w n H e preaches t o a re g ular societ y
.

w here h e resi des st at edly ; an d h i s co n g re g at io n s are

.
,

un ifor mly larg e Great an xie t y w a s m an ifest ed by h i m

.

a n d his societ y t o he a r a n eas t er n preach e r ; for alt hou g h

old i n t h e fait h t hey had n ever list en ed t o on e co n n ect e d

,

w it h ou r de n o m i n at io n T h ey d e sired t o hear for t he m

.

sel ves t hat t hey m i g ht kn o w of a cert ai n t y w het her w e

,

agr e ed w it h t he m in se n t i m e n t I d elivere d t herefore .

a doct r i n al serm o n t o w hich w a s g iven t h e m ost fixed

,

at t e n t io n ; a n d as I proceeded I w a s w o n derf u lly please d

, ,

at t h e a pp e aran ce of t h e asse m bly N ot a w ord w as los t .

,

a n d each on e see m e d t o say Th ere " t hat is just w hat

‘
,

w e believe ; t hat is our doct ri n e H ow si n gular " he .

preaches precisely like our preachers an d u ses t h e sam e ,

ar g u m e n t s . An d at t h e close of t h e services all s e e m e d

’

sat isfied w it h t h e se n t im en t s p u t fort h ; a n d Fat h er

Wolf assured m e t hat w hat I had advan ced w as i n
perfect harm o n y w it h his ow n belief an d t hat of his ,
”
den o m i a io
n t n .
42 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

III . T H E M O RAV I AN S .

UNI VERS ALI SM w as al so b roug h t t o A merica b y th e

M orav ian s w h o came here in 1 7 35 set t li n g in G eorg i a
,
, ,

bu t rem ovin g in 1 7 4 1 t o Be t h l ehem P en n syl van ia ,

.

A lt hou g h t hey cl osed t he ir church i n O ley P e n n ,

sylvan i a aga in s t Dr De Re n n evill e — in con se quen ce

, .
, ,

it i s a ll eg ed of so m e d iff ere n ces b e t w ee n t hem i n m at

,

t ers of re l ig i ous b e li ef it i s n ot k n o w n t hat t hose,

diff eren ces w ere on t h e quest i on of dest in y I t i s poss i .

bl e t ha t t here may have b ee n d iff eren ces amon g t hem

se l ves on t h is ques t i on as f e w if an y of t h e M orav ian s
,

o f t h e presen t day ho l d t o Un iversalis t v ie w s B u t .

amon g t hose w h o early set t l ed i n A mer i ca som e w ere ,

pro n oun ced Rest ora t io n is t s The v i ew s of Coun t Z in .

zen dorf t heir l eader on t hi s su bj ect are n ot kn o w n ;

, , ,

bu t P e t er Boh l er at first pas t or at Bet h l ehe m an d

, ,

aft erw ards made B ishop of A merica n ex t in ran k t o ,

Z in ze n dorf w a s ou t spoken in advocacy of Un i versal

,

Rest orat i on Rev Georg e Wh i t efiel d in a l et t er t o

. .
,

Rev John Wesl ey n 7

. i 1 4 0 says t hat Boh ler l at el y
,
“
,

fran kl y co n fessed in a l e tt er t hat all t h e dam n ed soul s ,

w ould herea ft er b e b roug h t ou t o f he ll .

Israe l Acre l iu s w hose t es t i mon y in reg ard t o t h e

,

Dun kers a t E phrat a has b ee n c it ed gives in t h e same

, , ,

v o l ume a n accou n t o f a v i s i t t o Be t h l ehe m i n J u n e

, , ,

1 7 54 . I n it he re la t es a co n versa t i o n w it h on e of t h e
M orav i an s W illiam E dmon s t h e ferry m a n w h o sai d
"

, , ,

t ha t he w as assured t h at n o on e w as so g rea t a s in n er
t hat he could n ot expec t forg i ve n ess an d t ha t he al s o ,

b eli eved t hat eve n t h e t ra it or Judas w as saved ” At

1 His t or y of N e w S w e de n , p 4 1 7
. .
 r u E M oRAVI ANs . 43

Bet hl ehe m he made t h e ac quain t an ce of M r Rit z on e .

,

of t h e prea chers bu t he does n ot record an y con versa t i on

,

w i t h hi m ; bu t co n cern i n g h i m con s i dera b le is k n o w n .

He w as a Dan e h i s full n am e b ein g M at t he w Reuz as

, ,

w r it t e n in t h e Dan ish l an g uag e By h i m self it w a s .

a n g li cized in t o “ Ri g ht s bu t h i s Un iversal ist c ot e mpora

ries spel led i t Wrig ht “
He w a s educat ed a t t h e Un i
.
“

versit y of Copen hag en ; w as a m an of emin e n t li t erary

s ays t he la t e Rev E d w ard Turn e r able
”
a t tai n me n t s ,
.
,

t o con verse pray or preach as w ell in Lat in as i n his

, ,

mo t her t on g ue He w a s a Un iversal i s t in h i s early

.

yout h an d used t o speak of t h e a ffect i o n at e re m o n

,

s t ra n ce s of h i s m o t her ag ai n s t h is heresy Whil e ”

1
.

residin g a t Bet hlehem he w as sen t ou t as a mi ss i o n ary

,

t o t h e S w edis h se t t l ers on t h e Dela w are fre quen t l y ,

preachin g a t Cohan sey Pe n n s N eck an d Pil e s Grove ’ ’

, , ,

N e w Jersey . To h i s eff ort s w e ow e i t n o dou b t t hat , ,

U n iversal is t churches w ere org an ized in t hose l ocal it ies ,

as early as 1 7 8 9 if n ot before t hat t i m e He v i s it ed

, .

N e w En g l a n d b efore 1 7 83 occas io n a lly preach in g in ,

Gl oucest er a n d Bost on an d in 1 7 83 w as t eachin g ,

schoo l in Taun t on M ass ,

.

IV . T H E E PI S C O PA L I AN S .

THERE w a s some Un iversalis m in t he E pi scopal

C h urch in A meri ca as t here al so had b ee n for man y
,

years i n t he sam e ch u rch in E n gl an d .

1 Rev RI C HARD C L ARK E w h o b eca m e rect or of St

. .
, .

Phili p s Church Charl est on S C in 1 7 5 4 a n d re m a in ed

’

.
, , , ,

t here t ill 1 7 5 9 is said by Ramsay in his

, H i st ory of ,
“

S ou t h Caro lin a t o have b een

1 U n iv e r sal is t Q u a r t e rl y ,
v ol . v i .
p 11. .
44 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

“
bet t er kn ow n as a t h eolo g ian , beyo n d t h e lim it s of
Am erica t h an an y o t her in habit an t of Carolin a He w a s
, .

adm ired as a preac h er bot h i n Charlest o n an d L o n do n .

His eloque n ce capt ivat e d person s of t ast e ; his serious

preach i n g a n d perso n al piet y procured for h im t h e love
a n d es t ee m of all g o od m e n Wh e n he preached t h e .
,

c hurc h w as cro w ded a n d t h e e f fec t s of i t w e re visi b

,
le in
t h e reform ed lives of m an y of his hearers a n d t h e i n ,

creased n u m ber of s e rious co m m un ican t s His sermo n s .

w e re oft en co m pose d un der t h e i m pr e ssio n s of m usic,

of w h ich h e w as passio n at ely fo n d Fro m it s soot h in g .

effect s a n d fro m t h e ov e rfl o w in g ben evole n ce of his

,

heart God s love t o man peac e an d g ood w ill am o n g

,
’
,

me n w ere t h e subj e ct s on w hich he dw elt w it h p ec u liar

,

deli g ht ” 1 .

Da l cho in his H i s t orica l Accoun t o f t h e P ro t est an t

,

Ep iscopa l Ch u rch o f S ou t h Caroli n a

”
says t hat M r , .

C larke w as a Un i versa l is t an d appears t o have b een

“
,

t in c t ured w it h t h e doct r in es of Jaco b B oe h me n The .

“
U n i versalis t Theo l og ica l M ag az in e published i n Lon ,
”

don soo n aft er hi s deat h says For n earl y fi ft y years

,
“

he main t ain ed b o t h b y preach in g an d w rit i n g t h e doc

, ,

t ri n e of Un i versa l Res t ora t i on ”

.

B ish op Hurd in h i s H i st ory of th e Rit es a n d Cere

,

mon ie s of all Re ligio n s speaks of h i m as t h e l eader

,
”

in t h e P h ilade lph ia n Church (Jan e Lead s or a n iza ’

g
t i on ) an d represent s C l arke as say in ha h i s “
is a
,
g t t t ,

st at io n of great em in en ce Thoug h t h a t church has li tt le

.

str en th in n u m b er sp le n dor or po w er i t has t h e pr i v i

g , , ,

l eg e of b ein g b e l oved an d com men ded above all churches

for n ot den y in g t h e n am e J es u s t he SAV I OU R , .

What imm ediat e result s in spread in g Un iversa li sm

1
Ramsa y ’
s
“
Hi st or y of S ou t h Ca rol in a , v ol . II .
p 45 2
. .
 THE E I S C O ALI ANSP P . 45

foll ow ed M r C larke s m in ist ry in S out h Caro lin a w e

.
’

do n ot kn ow ; bu t prob abl y h i s w ord w as n ot w it hout

eff ect in co n vert in g some t o th e b el ief in u n i versal
ho lin ess an d happ in ess By 1 7 89 b elief in Un iversal
.

is m w as Ope n ly avo w ed in Charl es t o n a n d a societ y ,

of Tri n it aria n Un ivers alis t s w a s org an iz ed t here some

l it t l e t i me afte rw ards .

I n 1 7 5 9 M r C l arke pu bli shed a pam ph l et e n t it l ed

.

A Warn in g t o t h e World or t he P rophe t i ca l N um b ers

,

of Dan ie l an d J oh u cal cu lat ed I t w as immed iate l y .

”

fo l low ed b y an an o n ymous rev i ew S ome Thoug h t s ,

on t h e Durat i o n of t h e Tormen t s o f t h e W i cked an d

'

t h e T i me w he n t h e Day o f Jud gm e n t may b e E x

pect ed .
”
The rev ie w er says
“
A hin t is g iven p 2 1 This servan t of servan t s is
, .
,
‘

S at an an d his an g els w hos e days an d years of servit ude

,
’
w il l be double as shall be m ore explai n ed hereaft er
,
.

I do n ot see t hat t his h a s been an yw here m ore ex

plain ed af t e r as t h e aut ho
,
r prom ises bu t in defect of ,

t his m an y t hat heard h im w ill doubt less re m e mb er h ow

,
’
he explain e d it bef or e n am ely t hat t hou g h S at an s servi
, ,

t ude or pun ish m e n t w ould be dou ble y e t i t w oul d n ot be ,

e n dl ess ; bu t t hat i n som e of t hese ag es of t h e g ospel hell ,

w oul d be abolished an d all falle n creat ures be m ade

,

happy
A doct ri n e t his w hich M r C defen de d w it h g reat . .

zeal ; an d for t h e be t t er support of w hich h e has adopt ed

several t en et s n ot con t ain e d in bu t rat her co n t rar y t o ,

t h e w ord of God I coul d w ish he had been as caut ious

.

in asser i
t ng t his doc t ri n e fro m t h e pulpi t as h e n ow

see m s t o be t o m ai n t ain it fro m t h e press ; his calcula

io s of har less fi ures m poss ib ly h ave am used an d
t n m g a y
bew ildered so m e people bu t t h e doct rin e of t h e deliver
,

an ce of t he d am n ed (of so m e even af t er n o very lon g

46 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

space of t im e ) I fear h a s led m an y in t o an aw ful m i s

,

t ake ; an d I believe eve n a Gerhard an d Pe t erse n t houg h ,

t h ey h ave esp oused t h e sam e doct rin e w ould be ready t o ,

co n sider t h e fixin g Of t h e t im e of release as borderin g on

presu m pt io n (pp 4 .
,

I n 1 7 62, M C l arke pu bli shed A S econ d Warn in g

r .
“

t o t h e Worl d in w hi ch it may b e presumed he t ook

”
, , ,

so m e n o t ice of h is rev i e w er ; bu t n e it her of h i s pam

ph l e t s has com e u n der our n o t i ce .

M r C larke co n t in ued h i s in t eres t in Un i versa li sm

.

aft er his ret urn t o En glan d Whe n Re v E lha n an Wi n . .

ches t er b ecame a U n i versal is t an d preached h is sermo n , ,

en t it led The O u t cast Co mfort ed t o t hose w h o had ,

b een ej ect ed fr om th e Bapt i st Church in Ph il ade lph ia ,

f or b e lievin g in t h e res t it ut i on of all sou l s in 1 7 82 M r , , .

C lar k e repu blished t h e sermo n in Lon don t h e fo ll o w in g

year .

2 Rev R OB ERT YANCE Y a n at i ve of Lou i sa Coun t y

. .
, ,

Virg in i a w a s educat ed in N e w J ersey College an d or

, ,

dain ed a priest in t h e Ep i scopa l Church i n En gl an d by ,

t h e B i sh op of Lo n do n in 1 7 68 He set t l ed i n Til l ot s
,
.

t on an d Tr in it y Par i shes i n h is n a t i ve cou n ty w here he

, ,

remain ed t il l h i s deat h i n 1 7 7 4 — b ein g cu t off by c on

, ,

sum pt i o n w h ile y e t a you n g m an N ot l o n g b efore h i s .

deat h perhaps in 1 7 7 2 or 1 7 7 3 he b ecame con v in ced

, ,

t ha t t h e B ibl e t au gh t t h e doc t rin e o f U n i versa l S al va

t io n a n d a n n ou n ced t ha t he w ou l d preach a d is cou rse
,

in defe n ce of h is n e w v i ew s .

“
T h ere w a s says t h e aut hor of a preface t o t h e
,

p ri e C o p y of
n t d t h e m
ser o n
“
a g reat g at herin g of peopl e
,

fro m t h e surroun din g parish es t o h ear i t M an y i n t heir .

fan at icism had w orked t he m selves u p t o t h e lyn chi n g

 P P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS . 47

poin t , an d w e n t provide d w ith ropes an d grape vin es t o -

m e t e ou t just ice t o t his in n ovator u pon t heir an cest ral

relig io n ; litt le dee m in g t h at L ut h er, Hu ss an d o t hers ,

w ere i n n ovat ors upo n st ill older for m s of relig io n H ow .

ever t h e co g e n cy of his reaso n in g on his exposit io n s of

,

S cript ure an d t h e m ild p e rsuasive eloque n ce of his l an

, ,

g uag e co n vi n ced man y t h at he w a s ri ght , an d t hat Scrip

,

t ure h ad O ft e n bee n pervert ed M an y w e n t aw ay rejoicin g

.

t hat t hey had n ot co mm it t ed vi ole n ce on a fellow bein g -

,

w hile o t hers cro w ded aroun d an d co n g rat ul at e d hi m on

his in depe n den ce an d success in open ly att ackin g est ab
”
l i sh e d do gm as .

The t ext o f thi s di s course w as t h e w ords o f J ob xxx ii , '

1 7 : I sai d I w ill an s w er a l so m y part I al so w il l shew

, ,

min e op in io n an d t h e t he m e i s t hus in t roduced

Am on g t h e man y quest ion s w hich have arise n in t h e

Christ ian Church it hat h also been on e , sin ce t h e early
,

ag es of Christ w het h e r t h e pun ishm en t of w icked an d

,

i m pen it e n t me n w ill i n t h e n ext w orld be t ruly e n dless ,

or o n ly t emporary .

This quest ion , I am in form ed h as rai sed som e u n e as i

,

n ess amo n g us of lat e ; w herefore I have t hou g ht i t my ,

dut y t o an sw er my pa rt an d t o show my opin io n upon

,

it. I h ave been su fficien t ly set t led an d de t ermin ed in

my ow n sen t im en t s on t his head for a con siderable t im e ,

bu t did n ot apprehe n d m yself oblig ed i n dut y t o declare

t he m t o you , be cause I looked upon t h e m att er (as I st ill
do) t o be of n o esse n t ial i mport an ce t o reli g io n an d salva
t i o n w hichever w ay it is h e ld
,
B u t as I have bee n so me
.

t i m es i n public compan i e s a n d t o several i n divi dual s

, ,

obli g ed e it her t o declare m y O pin io n or t o co n ceal it in a

w ay w h i ch my co n scie n ce w ould n ot a l l ow , an d w hich I
t hou ght hardly con sis t en t w i t h t hat can dor open n ess , ,

an d t r u t h w hich b eco m e a disciple of Chr i st ; an d as i t

h as bee n rum ored about t o t h e dist urban ce of some m in ds

,
48 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

w ho have probably heard t h e matt er w ro n g ly repres en t ed ,

I t herefore judg ed it best t o d iscuss t h e poin t fu lly i n

public t hat e very on e m ay hear a n d jud g e for hi m self
, .

An d you my dear bre t hre n an d w ort hy frie n ds m ay I

, ,

n ot hop e m a
, y I n ot con fide t hat you w ill e n deavor t o
,

a r m yourselves w it h can dor w i t h h o n es t y an d hum ilit y

, ,

on t h is occasion a n d as w ell as you c an t o divest your

, , ,

selves of all prejudice an d be disposed t o receive t h e

,

t rut h i n m eekn ess an d love t o t h e g lory O f God our

Heave n ly Fat her
I s uppose t h e doct ri n e I shall advan ce w ill be n e w t o
m ost of you a n d w hat y ou h ave scarcely ever allo w ed
,

you rselves t o t hin k of an d I doubt n ot bu t it may sur

prise a n d perhaps st art le you at firs t si gh t as s t ran g e ,

a n d un heard of t h i n s are very a t t o do B u t upo n a

g p .

m ore i n t i m at e acqu ain t an ce w it h t he m w e co m e so m e,

t i m es as m uch t o adm ire t heir beaut y an d excelle n cy as

w e a t first w o n dered at t heir n ovelt y an d st ran g e n ess .

An d t his I t rus t w ill be t h e case w it h re g ard t o w hat I

have t o O ff er you t his day w h ich I a m t h e m ore e n c ou r
ag ed t o hope f ro m t h e t rials I have already m ade w i t h
,

several in dividuals amo n g you w h o are perso n s of ih ,

t e g r it y a n d upri g ht lives of g oo d se n se an d as I t hi n k
, , , ,

of t rue p iet y w h o w ere un w illin g t o believe or asse n t t o

,

a n y doct r i n e b u t t hat w hich forced it self upo n t he m by

t h e irresis t ible evide n ce of i t s t ru th I n shor t I do n ot

.
,

kn o w t h at I h ave failed of success in a sin g le in st an ce ,

on e o n ly excep t ed am o n g t h e m an y t hat I have lat ely

,

t alked w it h upon t his subjec t ; w hich is a co n siderat io n

t hat ou g ht t o have so me w ei g ht t o w ards g ivi n g you
favorable i deas of w hat I have t o say ho w ever st ron g ,

you m ay have bee n i n a diff eren t persuasio n Thin k n ot .

,

m y bre t hre n t hat I i n t e n d t o advan ce such doc t ri n e as

,

w ill g ive e n coura g e m e n t t o s i n God forbi d I should do

.

t his for t hat w ould be t o fig ht a g ai n st h i m for w hose

,
”
g lory I a m co n t e n di n g .
 P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS P . 49

Aft er prot es t i n g t hat alt houg h d is b eliev i n g i n t h e

do c t rin e of e t ern a l su ff erin g he is far from den y in g
,

t hat t h e pu n i shme n t s of i m pe n it en t s in n ers w ill every

w ay e q ua l t h e s t ro n g an d t err ibl e represe n t at i o n s g i ve n

in t h e Holy S cr ip t u res he adds

,

The schem e I am proposi n g an d w hich divin e rev ,

elat io n an d reason bot h assure me is t h e t rue on e a n d t h e ,

o n ly on e t hat is w ort h y of God t his sche m e I say is , ,

calcul at ed t o represen t God i n a t ru ly g lorious a n d

am iable li g ht an d t o ki n dle ou r affect io n s an d w ar m
,

ou r heart s w i t h t h e m os t g e n ui n e love t o h i m A n d t ell .

m e w hich is t h e proper n at ure of t h e Gos p el reli g io n

,

t o se t us upo n servi n g God ou t of l ove or ou t of f e a r

,

S urely he t hat serves God o n ly t hro u g h fear of p un ish

,

m en t is a poor servan t an d c an hardly be accept able

,
.

B u t he t hat serves h i m t h rou g h love is t h e t rue t h e ,

fait hful t h e accept able servan t Wh y t h en do m e n

, .
, ,

t al k of i n t im idat i n g or aw i n g t h e w orld by t h e preach i n g

of e n dle ss pu n ish m e n t sin ce if it should succeed y e t i t
, , ,

w ill am ou n t t o n ot hi n g of t rue reli g io n An d if t h e

w icked are o n ly t o be rest rai n e d t hrou g h fear t h e law s ,

of t h e lan d m ig ht an sw er t hat e n d B u t it is evide n t .

t h at t h e doct ri n e of e n dless pun ish m en t w he t her t rue ,

or fals e an s w ers lit t le or n o e n d w it h t hose for w ho m

,

i t is i n t e n ded f or t hey do n ot believe i t

, The n h ow .
,

can a n y o t her sche m e w hich does n ot e n courag e vic e b

, e ,

w orse t han t hat w hich is n ot believed an d co n sequen t ly ,

am oun t s t o lit t le or n o t hin g B u t eve n supposin g t h e

w ick e d should t ake e n courag e m e n t fro m t his an d s i n ,

w it h a hi g her han d y e t i t is t heir ow n fault a n d w ill

, ,

prove t heir m isfort u n e t hat t hey do so ; an d i t is n ot

reaso n able t h at t h e t ru t h t h e am iablen ess of God an d
,

t h e beaut y an d excelle n ce of t h e g ospel reli g io n should

be co n ceale d fro m o t hers on t heir accoun t I t is im .

v or. 1 .
. 4
50 UNI VERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

poss ible for me un der my poor st at e of healt h t o t ake

.
, ,
,
,

n o t ice i n t his disco u rse of all t h e object io n s t h at may be

raised I shall t herefore o n ly co n sider t h e pri n cipal

.

o n es an d shall alw ays be ready t o obviat e a n y difficult ie s

,

t hat m ay arise t o a n y of you provide d you w ill be so ,

kin d as t o l e t m e kn o w t hem The first gran d di fficult y .

t hat prese n t s it s elf t o m e is t hat in M at t hew

c er n i n g t h e si n ag ain s t t h e Holy Ghos t w hic h w e are ,

t old hat h n o forg ive n e ss n eit her i n t his w orld n or t h e

,

w orld t o co m e : t hat is such sin n ers are n ot t o expect

, ,

a n y m ercy b u t t o suf fer t h e full port io n of pu n ishm e n t

,

t hat so g reat a s i n deserves Ot her sin n e rs m ay in som e .

i n st an ces be forg iven bu t t hese m ust suff er accordin g

,

t o t heir de m erit s ; a n d t hus t hey have n o for g ive n ess .

B u t t his does n ot by a n y m ean s im ply t hat t heir pu n ish

m e n t shall have n o e n d I t may have a n e n d t w o w ays
.
,

eit her by sufferin g t h e full de m an ds of t hat cri m e or ,

by t h e pain ful expirat io n of t h e soul as t h e body expires ,

here The re are also g reat O bject io n s raised from t h e

.

w ords f or e ve r e ver l a s ti n g an d e t e r n a l i n t h e Holy S crip

, , ,

t ures . I t is ar g ued fro m t hese for m s of expression t hat ,

fut ure pun ishm e n t s m ust be e n dless I shall m ake t hese .

t w o obs e rvat ion s co n cern in g t he se m odes of expression

i n t h e Holy S cript ures : l s t t hat so m e t im es t hey are ,

perhaps use d t o si gn ify an en dless durat io n bu t it is ,

e vide n t t hat at o t her t i me s t hey o n ly si n ify a t e m porar y

g
durat io n ; 2d if w e g ran t t hat t hey alw ays m ean an
,

en dl e ss durat ion y e t it w ill n ot fo l low t hat fu t ure pu n

,

i sh m e n t s are e n dless .

Havin g argued t hese po in t s w it h abil it y an d l earn in g ,

he t urn s h i s att en t i on t o t h e pos it ive proofs of U n i

versal Sa lvat i on
I n ow proceed t o ofi e r you plain ho n es t w ords ou t ,

of th e N e w Tes t am e n t w ords w hich show t heir ow n

,
-
 P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS P . 51

me an i n g an d have n o n eed of be in g explain ed aw ay t o

, ,

sho w t hat Christ is t h e glorious an d un iversal Saviour ;

t hat he shal l n ot fi n al ly fail i n his u n dert akin g bu t hat h ,

do n e his w ork so eff ect ually t hat i t shall ab solut ely h ave
t h e e fi e ct i n t en ded, w h i ch w a s t h e s al vat ion O f t h e w orl d ,

— n ot a p art O f t h e w orld bu t t h e w hole w orld as our , ,

L ord him self t ells us w hen he says, I cam e n ot t o judg e

th e w orl d bu t t o save t h e w orld
, An d ca n w e believe .

t hat if t his w as his erra n d t h e very t hi n g he cam e do w n ,

fro m Heaven for an d un derw e n t such scen es of m isery .

,

he shall n eve rt h eless b e disappoin t ed i n his view s an d

hi s un der t akin g If he did com e on p urpose t o save
t h e w orld as his ow n plai n w ords w it hout t h e h elp of
, ,

exp lan at ion t ell u s he can n ot fail t o accom plish t h e

, ,

w ork un l ess it be t h rou g h so m e i mperfect io n eit her i n

,

h i s po w er or m an ag e m en t eit her of w hic h is so absurd ,

t o suppose t h at w e m ust of n ecessit y, co n clude t hat all

, ,

t hat t h e Fat h er hat h g ive n h i m w hich is t h e w h ole ,

w orld he w ill br in g t o salvat io n an d g lory in his O w n

,

w ay an d t i m e ; t hou g h m ult it udes fro m t h e m i serable

‘

sin fuln ess of t he ir n at ur es m ust fir st pass t hr oug h great ,

t ribulat ion an d i n fin it e sce n e s of d is t ress must be sor e ly ,

t ort u re d an d refi n ed i n t h e furn ace of an guish an d w oe ,

”
an d m ade m eet in habit an t s for t h e fin e realms of Heave n .

The S cript ures t hen adduced are l st T imot hy iv 1 0 ; .

Joh n v i 3 5 —40 ; x ii 3 2 ; l st Joh n iii 8 Hav in g com

. .
. .

me n t e d on t hese he adds ,
.

I could my bret hren give you a mul t it ude m ore O f

, ,

quot at ion s from t h e Holy S cript ures bu t my poor share ,

of s t re n gt h w ill n ot allo w m e t o g o t hrou g h w it h t h e

subj e ct u n l e ss I suppress a great de al t hat I w oul d
,
.

w i lli n gly speak I shall t herefore o n ly gi ve on e more

.

plain t ext n am ely, God is l ove

,
Observe here God
‘
.
’
,

i s n ot on ly lovin g an d be n evolen t bu t he is love it self ,

.
 52 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

N ow , co n sider t h e p ropert ies of love L ove c an do

.

n ot hin g b u t w hat is alt o g e t h er kin d g racious afi e c t i on

, ,

at e ,
ben evole nt an d g ood H ow t he n c an love it self
, .

cre at e millio n s of m illio n s in fin it ely m ore t han hum an

t hou g h t c an n um ber — t o be i n t h e m os t ext re m e t orm e n t
throu g h a n e n dless d ur at io n ? The presen t prevailin g
syst em s hol d t hat m an y m ore w ill be lost t han saved ;
a n d as God must h ave forekn o w n before he creat ed m an

w h o w oul d be los t an d w h o w ould be saved ( for t o

suppose h im i g n oran t of t his m akes h i m imperfect an d
des t roys t h e very esse n ce O f God) I can n o m ore see
,

h ow it is possi ble for h i m t o be love it self an d t o creat e ,

m an un der t hese circum st an ces an d upon t hose t erm s ,

t han I can co n ceive h ow it is possible for an y perso n

t o deli g ht i n pun ishi n g t hose in t h e seve res t a n d m ost
i n t olerable m an n er w ho m he loves w it h all his soul .

I t is ar g ued i n defe n ce of t his cruel t e n e t t hat w h e n

, ,

G od foresaw t h e rui n of m an he foresaw t h e just ice of i t

, .

B u t t his does n ot re m ove my di fii cu l t y w hich is t o n u ,

de r s t an d h ow i t is possible for love it self — love w hich , ,

S t Paul says w orke t h n o ill — t o m ake cre at ur es w he n

.
, ,

i t is foreseen t hat t hey w ill fall i n t o such deplorable

rui n a n d m isery n o t w it hst an di n g t hey m ig ht just ly
,

brin g it upo n t he m selves Had God k n o w n t hat far t h e

.

g rea t es t par t of his prec i o us crea t ures — his ow n off

S pri n g w ould be seduced by S at an an d plun g ed i n t o

e n dless w oe w ould n ot love perfect an d e n t ire love have

, , ,

co n st rai n e d h i m t o preven t such a ruefu l eve n t w hich ,

c e rt ain ly he could m ost easily have do n e I t is un iver

sally g ra n t ed t h at God s desi g n in creat in g m an w as
’

perfect ly be n evole n t an d g ood He bei n g possessed of

.
,

t h e ful n ess of g lory an d felici t y in h i m self a n d bei n

g ,

i n his very n at ure love it self desired t o co mm u n icat e

,

his happi n ess an d g oo dn ess t o o t hers ; an d for t hat e n d

he creat ed diff ere n t orders of bein g s t hat m ig ht be ca
pahle of e n joyi n g his g oo dn ess a n d be n e fice n ce Amo n g .
 P P
T HE E I S C O ALI ANS . 53

th e res t he m ade man ; a n d n ot hin g w ould have hindered

,

man fro m an s w eri n g t his blessed e n d had n ot t h e devil

seduced an d be g u iled h i m i n t o s in This in a g reat .
,

m easure preve n t ed m an fro m e n joyin g t hat happin ess

,

a n d g ood n ess O f God for w hich he w a s p urposely creat e d ,

an d t h e devil g reat ly t riu mphed i n h avi n g so far g ai n e d

his poi n t N ow sh all w e suppose t h at he sh al l fin ally

.
,

prevail i n co m plet in g t h e m isch ief t hat G od hat h suff ered

,

h i m t hus far t o s u cceed i n S hall he t ot ally preven t

t h e h appin ess of t h e g reat er par t of Go d s p e ople a n d
’
,

t hus t ot ally defeat t h e desi g n an d i n t e n t io n w h ich t h e

God of love h a d i n cr e at in g t h e m i n so m uch t hat in st e ad
, ,

of t h e ir bein g t h e g lo r ious part akers of God s hap p in e ss ’

a n d love as he i n t e n d e d t he m t h ey are by t h e s t ran g e

, , ,

art of S at an m ade t h e m os t un hap py a n d m iserable a n d

, ,

t h at t o al l e t ern it y O h m o n s t rous opin ion " t h e very

hei gh t of absurdit y " Wh o can b e lieve a t h i n g so i n
co n sist en t w it h t h e Divin e po w er a n d g oodn ess S h all
t h e devil defe at t h e d esi g n of G od If t hen he is t h e , ,

g reat est bei n g possessed of t h e g reat est po w er w h y do

, ,

w e n ot w orship h i m an d c al l h i m God

In reply t o t he O bj ect io n t hat Un iversa l S a lvat io n i s

opposed b y t h e j ust ice of God ; an d t hat t h e preach in g
.

of it w ill l ead t o laxi t y an d sin he an s w ers ,

N or is t his at all in con sist e n t w it h t h e just ice of God

or an y of his perfect io n s We do n ot pret en d t o expect
.

a re m ission of sin s or rede mpt io n from hell w it hout a

m ost perfect chan g e of n at ure so as t o m ake t h e si n n e r
,

en t ire ly form ed an d co n form e d t o t h e Divin e w ill w h ich , ,

h ow h ard a t hi n g soever it may be t o effect (for it ap

pears n ext t o an i mpossibili t y ) y e t it m ay be possible ,

w it h G od for t h e t hin g s t h at are i m possible w it h m a n

,

are possible w it h God I t is cert ain t hat n ot h i n g t h at

.

de fil e t h n or w orke t h abo m i n a t io n s h all e v e r e n t er t h e

pure re g io n s of he av e n B u t i t a pp ears t o m e a s w ell
.
,
54 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

as to t h e g en eralit y of t h e mos t t hin ki n g a n d se n si ble

part of m an kin d, t o b e m ost reaso n able t o be lieve t h at
t h e dam n ed w ill in som e pe r iod of du r at i o n b e r e
clai me d an d recon ciled t o God, an d so made happy .

B u t t his is o n ly m at t er O f opin i on , w hich I w ould by n o

.

m e an s de s ir e t o force u po n a n y , bu t m os t freely allo w

'

al l t h e sa m e li bert y of t hi n ki n g for t he m selves as I

desire for my self B u t t o t hin k t hus see m s t o m e t o be

.

in fin it ely m ore S cri pt ural an d more rat ion al ; an d if it

shall ha ve t h e same eff ect upon your heart s t hat i t hat h
‘

u po n m in e I t h in k i t w ill b
,
e i n fin it ely w ort h em b raci n g
.

I t hin k I ca n t ake God t o w i t n ess t hat i t hat h n ot had

t he s m al les t t e n de n cy t o e n courag e lice n t ious n ess, or an y
kin d of si n i n m e , bu t rat her g ave m e g lorious an d ex
alt ed view s of God, an d forced me t o con ceive of hi m
as a most amia ble an d blessed be in g , w h o in deed an d
i n t rut h, i s love it self, an d h as n o p le asure in pun i shin g
an y of h i s creat ures an y fart her t han t h e sam e is ah

s ol u t e l y n ecessary an d a n s w ers a g ood a n d hap py e n d .

On ce I look e d upon God as an alm ig hty Po w er, t hat

it w as i n fin it ely dan g erous t o o ff e n d, an d t houg ht it my
dut y t o l ove h im, because it is comm an ded in t h e S cript
ures, an d because I foun d t hat holy m e n ex pressed much
love t o God ; an d in deed w he n I saw h im represen t e d in
so g oo d a l i g ht in t h e S acred S cript ures, an d experie n ced
much of his g oodn e ss i n my lif e, I believe I di d, i n so m e
m e asure, love h im, espe c iall y a t t imes . B u t I mu st in

g e n u ou sl y con fess t h at w he n I came t o be t au g ht syst e

m at i cal doctr i n es of God s p re dest in at io n , reprob at i on ,
’

an d mak i n g m an y m ore t o be lost t h an saved, an d t hat

t oo i n en dless t ort ure of soul an d body in t h e m os t i n e x

pressi ble de g ree, I coul d n ot fin d ou t a w a y t o l ove God
so much as I feared hi m I des ire d t o love him, bu t
.

kn ew n ot h ow t o do i t , for you m ust kn ow t hat w e can

n ot love w ha t a n d w ho m w e please . Con sen t in g t o love
i s n ot l ovin g There must be somet h i n g a miabl e an d
.
 P P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS . 55

lovely in t h e p e rso n or t h i n g w e love People say .

t h ey are n ot fit t o be t rust ed w it h such d oct ri n e because ,

it w ill e n coura g e si n B u t I h ave n o opi n io n of playin g

.

t h e kn ave f or t h e sake of reli g io n w hich I t hin k n ee d s ,

n o such a rt I h ave alw ays t hou g ht a n d st ill t h in k t rut h

.

t h e g reat est t h i n g i n t h e w orl d t h at w ill m ake i t s w ay

,

a n d m ai n t ain i t s g rou n d ag ai n s t all opposit io n an d t here ,

fore n eed n ot be afraid of bein g t u rn e d loose or t h ro w n

a t ran do m am o n g t h e m ul t it u de Upo n t hese prin ciples
.
,

I have ve n t ur ed t h is st ran g e doct rin e am on g you I call .

i t s t ran g e t hou g h i t is n ei t her s t ran g e n or n e w bu t has

, ,

bee n e n t ert ai n ed am on g m e n of p art s an d un derst an din g

ever sin ce t h e early day s of t h e g os p el a n d abl e p e n s ,

have been lo n g sin ce e m ploye d i n defen ce of i t B u t .

t hro u g h t h e m ean s of Popery a n d ot her hi g h fl y i n g de -

n o m i n at io n s of Chris t ian s i t hat h be e n bro w beat e n a n d

,
-

ke p t un der ; an d a n y m a n t hat dared t o t hin k bu t a hair s ’

bre a dt h ou t of t h e est ablish ed chan n el w a s bellow e d ou t ,

upo n as a heret ic an d a m over of se dit io n am o n g t h e

people ; a n d is it n ot am azi n g t hat t h e very sam e prin ci
pl e of Pop e ry w hich all so readily ag ree t o co n de m n a n d
,

exclai m ag ai n st I m ean t h e pri n ciple t h at i gn oran ce is

,

t h e m ot h e r of devo t io n a n d t h e frie n d of relig ion I say , ,

is it n ot very ast on ishin g t hat t hose w h o are so ready t o

co n de mn t his p rin ciple sh ould be foun d w arm ly co n t e n d
i n g for t h e very s am e t hi n g t he m selves They w ill n ot
l e t t h e p e opl e i n t o t h e t rue n at u re of fu t ure p u n is h me n t ,

le s t t hey m ake a n ill use of it To do t h is w ould be .

abo m in able in t h e papis t bu t it is pruden t a n d ri g ht in

,

t h e m selves ; i t is n ecessary for t h e g ood g ov e r n m e n t of

t h e peo p le . If I a m con de mn e d for violat in g t his be
love d prin ciple in God s n am e l e t m e be con de m n e d for
,
’
,

I w ill ha ve n ot hin g t o do w it h t h e hidden t hin g s of dis

h o n e s t y bu t w ill t hrou g h God s h elp ho n es t ly d eclare
, ,
’
,

t o you w hat I believe m yself t o be t h e t ru t h u n l e ss i t be ,

such t rut h as does n ot relat e t o reli g ion or w ould n ot ,

co n duce t o your happin ess ” .

56 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

We n eed n ot w o n der t hat t hese sen t imen t s produced

g rea t exci t e m e n t w hen t hey w ere t hus proc l ai med The .

sp ir it a n d t e m per of t h e speaker d is arm ed viole n t oppo

sit i on his fee bl e phys i cal co n dit i o n h is n ear a n d rap id ,

approach t o t h e grave con v in ced his hearers of his s in

c e r it y an d h is arg u m e n t s produced co n v i c t i o n
, .

3 Rev J ACOB D U C HE fa m ous i n Am erican his t ory as

. .
,

hav in g b ee n chose n t o o ffer t h e firs t prayer in Con g ress ,

i n Sep t emb er 1 7 7 4 an d su b se que n t l y so u n fort u n at e as

, ,

t o b ecome a t ory a n d t o l ose t h e fri e n dsh i p of t h e

,

A m erican pat ri o t s b ecame t h e ass i s t an t m in i st e r of

,

Chri s t Church an d St Pe t er s in Phil adelph ia in 1 7 5 9 .

’
.

A s earl y as 1 7 6 4 he b ecam e a b e l iever in Un iversa l

,

Sa l vat i o n ; Rev Hug h N eill t he n rec t or of t h e Ep i scopal

.
,

Church in O xford P h il ade lphia Cou n t y w ro t e t ha t at, ,

t ha t t i me M r Duch " w as en t husiast i c an d mys t i cal

,
.
,

a foll o w er of Beh m e n a n d W illi am Law T w en t y five .

-

years l at er w hil e he w a s livin g i n Lon don he w as

, ,

v is it ed by James P e mb ert on a di st in g u ished m in i s t er ,

o f t h e S ocie t y of Fri en ds w h o t es t ifies t o t h e same ,

in reg ard t o h is re ligi ous b e lief 1 J oh n M urr ay m e n .

t i on s M r D u ch " in 1 7 7 1 as a m o n g t h e n um b er
.
, ,

w h o if t hey w ere n ot fu ll y w it h me i n se n t i me n t
, ,

have u n iform ly d i scharg ed t o w ard me t h e du t y o f

Chri st ian frien ds .

I n a vol u m e of pu bl ished sermon s M r Duch " ,

.

speaks of t he at o n e m e n t sat i sfact i on an d redempt ion , ,

of Chr i s t as t hat all con querin g meekn ess w h i ch -

must fi n ally ext in g uis h all t hat is ev il in t h e w hol e

sys t em o f t h in g s an d l eave n ot on e sin gl e en emy t o
,

”
God an d g oodn ess un su b dued .

1 Art icl e on Re v . J ac ob D u c h ", in y

T h e Pe n n s l va n i a M ag a in e ,z
vol . i i pp 6 3 - 7 2
. . .
 P
T HE E I SC O A LI ANS P .
7

Rev Dr WI LLI AM S M I T H Prin cipa l an d Foun der

4 . . .
,

of t h e U n iversit y of Pen n sylvan ia an d for m an y years ,

preside n t of t he Gen era l Con ve n t io n of t h e Episcopal

C h urch w as a U n iversa li s t
, M r s M urr ay in her . .
,

le t te rs from Phil adelphia in 1 7 90 speaks of Dr Sm it h , , .

an d severa l of t h e professors of t h e co l leg e as bein g ,

reg ular a t t e n dan t s on her husb a n d s preach in g in t hat ’

cit y Dr Sm it h is repu t ed t o have bee n on e of t he

. .

m os t l earn ed scholars an d e l o que n t an d mos t popu l ar

,

preachers of h is age N o man act ed a m ore i n fluen t ial

.

part in t h e reorg an iz at io n of t h e E piscopal Church ,

aft er i t b ecam e po lit ically in depen den t of t h e Church of

En glan d t han d i d he ,
I t is g en erally co n ceded t hat
he w as t h e leader He w a s on t h e comm itt ee Wit h
.

Dr aft erw ards Bishop Wh it e an d Dr Whart on ap

.
, ,
.
,

poin t ed ih 1 7 85 t o revise t h e Prayer—Book an d adapt

, ,

it t o t h e chan g e of cir cum s t an ces occas io n ed b y t h e

Revol ut ion The ir revised ed it i on appeared in 1 7 86 ;
.

Dr Sm it h w as cha irm an of t h e co mm it t ee an d i s sai d

.

t o have had t h e prin cipa l agen cy in t h e arran gem e n t

of t he b ook 1
.

There are t w o passag es in t hat b ook Which d i scl ose

t h e U n iversal is m of i t s au t hor .

The fir st w a s t h e omis s i on of t h e art icle of t h e creed

w hich expre sses t h e belief of t h e d es ce n t of C hri s t i n t o
’
hell I n t he
.
propos e d Prayer Book t h is art icle w as
‘ -

o m it t e d in co n sequen ce of it s bei n g suppose d t o express

t h e belief of t h e e xis t e n ce of a hell of t orm e n t a n d t h at ,

C h rist w e n t do w n in t o t hat h ell Wh en t h e om issio n of .

t his a r t icle w a s object ed t o by t h e bish ops i n E n g lan d ,

an d t h e ar t icle i t self w as r e i n sert ed i n t o t h e creed, it

-

1 A n n al s of t h e A me rican P u l pit ,
by Wil l ia m Sprag u e , D D . .
, vol.

v. p 1 60
. .
58 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

w as o nl y on con dit io n t h at an y church mi ght o m it t h e

-

w ords desce n ded i n t o hell or m ig ht ad opt i n t heir

,
’

’
st e ad w en t in t o t h e place of depart ed spirit s
,
w hich , ,

say t h e com pilers of t h e L it u r g y are con sidered by t h e ,

church as m ean in g t h e sam e t hin g as t h e t erm, de

scen de d i n t o hell .
’

g b ee n a disput e in t h e Chur ch of E n g
“ There has lon

l an d, an d i n t h e Prot est an t E piscopal Chu rch of t his

coun t ry as t o t h e m ean in g of t h e x viit h art icle co n cern “

i n g p r e d es tt n a t ion an d e le cti on " so me m ain t ain in g t h at

'
‘ -

it w as i n t e n ded t o assert t h e A rm in ian doc t ri n e i n re

spect t o t h ese subjec t s The first part of t h e art icl e
.

run s as follow s Predest in at io n t o life is t h e et ern al

purpose of God w here by (before t h e foun dat ion s of t h e
,

w orld w ere laid) he hat h con s t an t ly decre e d by his coun

sel secret t o us, t o deliver from curse an d dam n at ion
,

t hose w ho m he hat h chose n i n C h r i st ou t of m ank i n d,

an d t o brin g t he m b y Chris t t o everl as t ing salvat io n as

vessels m a de t o ho n or Wherefore t hey w hich b e e n

.

dued w it h so exce ll e n t a be n e fit of God be called by '

God s pur pose by hi s spir it w orkin g i n due seaso n ;

’

t hey t hrou g h g race o b ey t h e call in g ; t hey be justi fied

freely ; t hey be m ade son s of God by adopt ion ; t hey
be made like th e i mag e of his on ly be g ot t e n Son ,
Jesus Ch r ist ; t h ey w alk reli g ious ly in g ood w orks ; an d
at le n g t h by God s me rcy t h ey att a in t o everlast in g
’
,

felici t y .
’

“
N ow t his defi n it i o n of predest i n at io n h as bee n t h e
fou n dat ion of lo n g an d a cri mo n i ous disput es in t h e
Church of E nglan d, a n d i n t h e Prot est an t E piscopal
C h urch in t h e U n it ed St at es To such a he i ght did .

t hese disput es ar i se at on e t i m e i n E n gla n d t hat a royal

order w as issued, comman din g all furt her d isput e on t he
subject t o cease st at in g t h at m e n of a l l s or ts ( by w hich it
,

m ean t t hat m e n of all O pin ion s) do t ake t h e art icle as

,

bei n g i n t heir favor, — an d t hat t herefore an art i cl e

 P
T HE E I SC O ALI AN S P . 59

w hich has bee n so ambig u ously dra w n up as t o expr e ss

t h e o p posit e sen t im e n t s of Calvi n a n d Arm i n ius shall be
n o lo n g e r t h e bo n e of con t e n t io n be t w ee n t h e par t isan s

of t h e t w o doct rin e s .

The re has be e n a t hird class of p e rs on s w h o have i n .

t e r p r e t e d t h e x v i i t h a r t icle as e xpressi n g t h e d oct r i n e of

Un iv e rsalism I t w ill be observe d t h at it is alm ost a
.

cop y of Paul s doct rin e w it h respect t o predes t in at io n

’
,

by w hich h e decla res t hat G od hat h purposed t o g at h er

t o g e t h e r i n on e bl e sse d co m m un it y all t hi n g s i n C h rist ,

bot h w hich are in heave n an d i n ear t h T h e art icle .

be in g t here fore m ain ly in S cript u re lan g uag e m ay be

, , ,

i n t e rpret ed i n t h e se n se of S cript ure I n w hat ever se n se .

p redest i n at io n is used i n S cri p t ure i n t h at s e n se i t is

’
,

used by so m e in t h e E piscopal C h urch i n t h e xv iit h ,

art icle .

“
Dr S m it h w h o t ook t h e lead as before st at e d i n pre
.
, , ,

par in g t h e art icles an d i n alt erin g t hem so as t o m ake

,

t he m exp re ss t h e f a i t h of E piscopalian s propose d t h at ,

t h e art icle should read t h us Of Pr e des t i n a t i on Pre .

dest in at io n t o life w it h respect t o ever y m an s salvat ion ,

,
’

is t h e everl a st i n g pu r pose of G od secre t t o us an d t h e

,

rig ht kn o w ledg e of w h at is reve ale d con cern in g i t is full

of co m fort t o such t ruly reli g ious Christ ian s as feel i n
t he m selves t h e spiri t of C h r is t m ort ifyi n g t h e w or k s of
,

t heir fl e sh a n d eart hly a ffect io n s a n d raisi n g t h ei r m i n d s

,

t o h eave n ly t hi n g s You w ill observe he re t hat

’
,
etc .
,

t h e x v iit h art icle of t h e Church of E n g la n d as revised ,

an d adop t ed i n t h e proposed Prayer Book g ave a U n i ’

-
,

v e r sa l i st in t erpre t at io n t o t h at art icle t r uly m ai n t ai n in g ,

t hat predes t i n at ion t o life is G od s e ve r l a s t i n g p m p os e

’

w it h r e sp e ct t o e v e ry m a n s s a l va t i on
’
T h is art icle so .
,

am en ded or explain ed w a s u n an i m ous ly adopt e d by t h e

,

Gen e ral Co n ve n t io n of t h e Pro t est an t E piscopal Church

i n 1 7 85 a n d t hou g h it w a s dee m ed expedie n t aft erw ar ds
’
t o reli n quis h t h e use of t h e proposed Prayer Book an d
‘ -
,
60 UNI VE RS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

to adopt t h e art icles g en erally as t hey h ad bee n heret o

,

fore co n t ain ed i n t h e E n g lish Prayer Book y e t t h e C on -

,

v e n t i on al w ays m ain t ain ed t hat t h ey u n ders t ood t he m as

e xplain ed i n t h e proposed book .

The foreg o in g is copied from a n art icl e pu bli shed

i n 1 839 by t h e l at e Rev Dr T imo t hy C l o w es w h o
, . .
,

w as for m an y years i n t h e E pi scopa l m in i s t ry He .

adds
I t w as in deed a most re mark able even t i n t h e hist ory
of t h e Prot est an t E piscopal Chur ch t hat she shoul d ,

becom e by t h e alt erat io n of a f e w w ords in on e of her

,

art icles n ot o n ly a t ol e r a t or of Un iversalis m bu t a

.
,

m a i n t a in e r of i t For I c an co n sider t his t ran s act io n

.

as n o t hi n g else t han a u n a n i mou s d e c is ion by t h e Ge n eral ,

Co n ven t io n of t h e E piscopal Church t hat t h e salvat io n ,

of a ll m e n is t h e everlast in g p urpose of God .

We q uo t e s t ill furt her from Dr C l ow es .

This proof of t h e U n iversalism of t h e s e cr e tl y m ai n,

t a in e d Un iv e rsal i sm of t h e Pro t es t an t E piscopal Church

, ,

may be quit e as sat isfac t ori ly deduced fro m t h e cir cum

st an ce of t h e un an i m ous re co mm en dat ion by t h e bisho p s ,

a n d cler g y a n d lait y of t h e Pr o t es t an t E piscopal Church

i n Ge n eral Co n ve n t io n of t h e t w o volu m es of ser m o n s

,

of t h e said Dr William S m it h w hich serm o n s are

.
,

beyo n d all doubt affirmat ory of t h e doct rin e t hat t h e

pun is h m e n t of t h e w icked i n a fu t u re w orld Will n ot
be e n dless An d t h is w a s n ot a m ere reco m m en dat io n
.

on ce g ive n a n d n ever af t er w ards repeat ed ; b

,
u t t h e re c om

m e n dat i on of t hese ser m o n s w it h all t he i r U n iversalis m

, ,

i s s ti l l c on t i n u e d
. The Co n ve n t io n h as draw n u p a body
of in st ruct io n s for t h e direc t io n of s t ude n t s i n di v in it y ,

an d t h e ser m o n s of D r S m it h are amo n g t hose w hich

.

are most pro m in en t ly reco mm e n ded .

 T HE E I SC O ALI ANSP P . 61

We have n ot t i m e at prese n t t o m ake m an y e xt ract s

fro m t hese volumes ; an d besides it w ould n ot be pos , ,

sible w it hout several lo n g quot at io n s an d co m pariso n

,

of passag es t o p rove Dr S m it h s Un ivers alis m be yon d

,
.
’

all cavil ; for alt hou g h he w as un doubt e dly U n iversalist

i n his se n t i m e n t s an d t hou g h he m ean s t o be u n ders t ood
,

by t h e observin g part of his readers t o t each t h at sen t i

m e n t y e t h e see m s on t his subject t o adop t such a m
,

bi g u ou s t erm s as t o leave t h e co mm on reader in t h e d ark

as t o his sen t im e n t s This he w ould n ot have don e h a d
.
,

he bee n O pp osed t o U n iversalis m or a believer in it s ,

opp osit e The Doct or w i t h m an y ot her divin es of t h e

.
,

E p isco p al C h urch i n E n g lan d an d i n A m erica w it h t h e ,

adopt io n of t h e t rut h of Un iversalis m s e e m s t o have ,

t hou g ht t hat it w a s n ot a s af e doct ri n e t o be publicly

preac h ed T h e t i m e w ill com e ( says Dr Thom as Bur
.
‘
.

n et
) w h en t his doct rin e w hich is n ow w hispere d i n t h e
,

c ar m ay be proclaim ed upo n t h e house t ops ; b

,
u t t hat -

t i m e is n ot y e t Dr S m it h adopt s t his sen t im e n t I

’
. . .

w ill quot e h o w ever on e passa g e w hich w ill m ake it

, , ,

cle arly evide n t w hat w ere his se n t im en t s an d w hat ,

sen t im e n t s t h e rul e rs of t h e E piscopal C h urch w ish t o

be i mpressed on t h e m in ds of t h eir clerg y if t hey do ,

n ot e ve n w is h t o have t he m p reached t o t h e p e ople at

larg e .

“
Dr S m it h speakin g of t h ose w h o w ill n ot ret urn
.
,

t o G od a n d w h o die w it hou t repe n t an ce says

,
As t o , ,
‘

t h ose w h o refuse t o re t urn a n d w ill n ot seek G od at all ,

( bu t con t i n ue t o p u t t h eir t rust in van it y an d lies un t o

t h e e n d) t hey m ust lie u n der St Paul s curse un t il th e
’
.
,

e n d co m es ; b u t I do n ot fe el myself prepared t o explai n

t hat curse as t h e g ood a n d zealous Dr Wh i t by t hi n ks

,
.

t h e pious m e n of old w ould have don e — ext e n di n g i t ,

“ h
beyon d t h e e n d a n d t urn in g i t i n t o a prayer t at t h e
,

L ord w ould reserve t h e m un t o t hat g reat day w he n he ,

at las t s h all sit i n jud g me n t in order t hat i n his ow n , ,

62 UNI V ERSALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

perso n he m ay sm it e t hem w it h perdit io n ; an d t hat

,

t hey m ay perish un der his ow n proper a n d everlas t i n g .

curse .

M y bre t hre n [ con t i n ue s t h e sam e Dr S m i t h ] it has

.
,

n e ver bee n accoun t ed he t erodox or i m pious (u n less ,

perhaps by t h e m ost g loom y an d Pharisaical big o t s)

,

i n t h e divi n es of our church or i n deed of an y o t her

,

Christ ian church t o t reat freely of such subj e ct s as t h e

,

e t ern it y of hell t orm e n t s a n d a un iversal rest it ut io n of

,

de g raded a n d la p sed a ur s ; an d so m e of our m ost

n t e
”

e m in e n t divi n es have bee n co n sidered as reject in g t h e

former a n d favorin g t h e lat t er doct ri n e 1
.

An exam in at i o n o f t h e j ourn al s of t h e Ge n era l C on

v e n t i on of t h e Pro t est a n t Ep is copa l Church for 1 7 85 ,

an d 1 7 86 show s t hat t h e lib era l t en de n cy in t ha t b ody

,

w as eve n m ore ext e n s i ve t han i s n ot ed b y Dr C l o w es . .

The t w o it em s of b usin ess w h i ch en g rossed t h e at te n

t io n of t h e sessio n in 1 7 85 w ere ,

“
(1 ) To co n sider of a n d report such alt erat io n s i n
t h e L it urgy as shall ren der i t co n sist e n t w it h t h e
.

Am e rican revolut ion an d t h e con st it ut ion s of t h e re sp e c

t ive S t at es ; an d such furt her alt erat io n s i n t h e L it urgy ,

as m ay be advisable for t his con ven t io n t o reco m m e n d

t o t h e con siderat ion of t h e church here represe n t ed ,

t o g e t her w i t h A n E cclesias t ical Co n st it ut io n for t h e

‘

Prot est an t E piscopal Chur ch i n t h e Un it ed S t at es of

America ;
( ) To addre ss t h e archbishops an d bishops of t h e
“
2
C h urch of E n g lan d requ e st in g t he m t o co n fer t h e E pis
,

copal ch aract er on such pe rso n s as shal l be chosen an d

recom men de d t o t hem for t hat purpose fro m t h e con v e n ,

t ion s of t his chur c h i n t h e respec t ive St at es ” .

1 E v an g e l ical M ag a in e z an d Gospe l A dv oca t e , U t ica , N . Y .

, 1 83 9 ,
pp 2 7 3 4
.
- .
 P
T HE E PI SC O A LI ANS .
63

The alt erat ion s in t h e art icles an d t h e Lit urgy w ere

such as have al ready b een m e n t i on ed an d in addit ion , ,

t h e o m issio n of t h e N icen e a n d At han as i an creeds .

The address t o t h e Archb i shops of Can t erb ury an d

“

York an d t h e B ishops of t h e Church of En gl an d se t s

, ,

fort h t h e peculiari t ies of t h e Co n st it ut i on of t h e Un it ed ‘

St at es an d t h e co n s t it u t i o n s of t h e respec t ive St at es
, ,

w hich forb i d t h e u n i o n O f ecc l esias t i cal an d polit ica l

.

a ff airs declares t h e prefere n ce of t h e w r it ers for t h e

,

ven erable for m of E pis copal g overn m e n t an d adds ,

”

The pet it io n w hich w e off er t o your ven e rabl e bo dy

is t hat fro m a t e n der re g ard t o t h e r e li g ious in t e rest s
,

of t housan ds in t his risi n g e m p ire professin g t h e s a m e

,

reli g ious prin ci ples w it h t h e C h urch of E n glan d you ,

w ill be pleased t o co n f e r t h e E p iscopal ch aract er on such

pe rso n s as shall be reco mm e n de d by t h is church in t h e
sev e ral St at es here represe n t e d — full sat isfact ion bein g
,

ive of t h e su ffi ci e n cy of t h e p erso n s reco m m e n ded an d

g n ,

of i t s b e i n g t h e in t e n t io n of t h e g e n eral body of t h e
E piscopalia n s i n t h e said S t at es respec t ively t o re ceive
t he m i n t h e qualit y of bish ops .

“
Whet her t his our re qu est w ill meet w it h i n su r m ou n t
able i m pedim en t s fro m t h e polit ical re g ulat io n s of t h e
,

kin gdo m i n w hich your L ordships fill such dist in g uishe d

st at io n s ,
it is n ot for us t o foresee ; w e have n ot be e n
asce rt ain ed t hat an y such w ill exis t ; an d are h um bly
of O p in ion t hat as cit iz e n s of t he se St at es i n t erest e d
, ,

i n t h eir pros p erit y an d reli g iously re g ardin g t h e alle

,

i a c e w hich w e o w e t he m it is t o a n ecclesias t ical

g n ,
”
source On ly w e can apply in t h e presen t exi g e cy n .

Havi n g appo in t ed a co m mit t ee t o publ ish t h e pro “

posed Prayer Book t h e Con ven t io n adj ourn ed ; an d

-
,

ag ain m e t in Ph il a del phia in Ju n e 1 7 86 An an sw er

,
.
64 UNI V ERSALI S M IN AM ERI CA .

i addr ess an d pet it i on

t o t he r w as receive d , an d c on

t ain e d t h e foll o w in g :

We are n ow e n abled t o assure you t ha t n ot hin g i s ,

n e arer t o our heart s t ha n t h e w ish t o prom o t e your

spirit ual w elfare, t o be in st r ume n t al in procur in g for

you t h e co m p lete exercise of our holy reli g io n an d t h e
e n joy me n t of t hat ecclesiast ical con st it ut io n w h i ch w e
bel i eve t o be t ruly apost olic a n d for w h ich you express
,

so u n reserved a ven erat io n .

We are t herefore happy t o be in form ed t hat t h i s

pious desig n is n ot l i kely t o receive an y discoun t en an ce
from t h e civil po w ers u n der w h ich you live ; an d w e de
sire you t o be persuaded t hat w e on our part s w il l use
our best e n deavors w hich w e h ave good reaso n t o hope
,

w ill be successful t o ac quire a le g al capac it y of co mply

,

i n g w it h t h e prayer of your ad dress .

“ Wi h
t t hese se n t i me n t s w e are disposed t o make
every allow an ce w hich can dor can su gg est for t h e didi
cu l t i e s of your sit u at io n ; b u t at t h e sam e t i m e w e can

n ot help bei n g afra i d t hat i n t h e procee di n g s of your

, ,

Con ven t ion som e alt erat ion s may have been adopt ed or
in t en de d w hich t hose di fficult ies do n ot seem t o just ify .

f Those alt erat ion s are n ot men t i o n ed i n your address

‘
,

a n d as our k n o w led g e of t he m is n o m ore t han w hat has

,

reached u s t hr ou gh privat e a n d l ess cert ain chan n els w e ,

hope you w ill t hin k it j u st bot h to you an d t o ourse lves

, ,

if w e w ait for an expl an at ion .

“
For w hile w e are an xiou s t o gi ve every proof n ot ,

o n ly of our bro t herl y affect io n bu t of our facilit y in for

,

w ar di n g your w i shes, w e can n ot b u t b e e xt reme l y cau

t ious , lest w e should b e t h e in s t rum e n t s of est ab l i shi n g

a n eccl esiast ical sys t em w hich w ill be cal led a bran ch of

t h e Church of E n glan d bu t aft erw ards m a

, y possibly
appear t o have depart ed from it esse n t ially, e it her i n
doct ri n e or in disciplin e .
 P P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS . 65

Whereupon t he follow in g w as adop t ed

Res ol v e d, That t his Co n ve n t io n en t ert ain a g rat efu l
se n se of t h e Christ ian aff ect ion an d con descen sion man i
f e st e d in t his le tt er : An d w h e reas it appears t hat t h e
ve n erable prelat es have h eard t hrou g h privat e chan n els , ,

t hat t h e chur ch here represe n t ed have adopt ed or i n ,

t e n ded, such al t erat io n s as w ould b e an essen t ial devi a

t ion from t h e Church of E n g lan d t h is Con ven t i on t rust ,

t hat t hey shal l be able t o g ive such in form at ion t o t hose

ve n era ble prelat e s as w ill sat isfy t hem t hat n o such
,

alte rat i on s have been adopt ed or in t e n ded .

From t h is it w ill b e see n t hat t h e Con ven t i on did

n ot regard t heir Uni versali st a n d
(by implicat i on in, ,

d iscardin g t h e N icen e an d At han asian creeds an d re

t a ini n g t h e s o ca ll ed A pos t l es Creed on ly ) t he i r a n t i
’
-

t ri n it ar i an avo w a l s as b e in g a n y esse n t ial deviat i on

“
,

from t h e Church o f En glan d The n proceedin g t o .

”
,

t ake fi n a l ac t i on on t h e proposed Co n st it u t io n o f t h e
“

Church t hey phrased sect i on i x as foll ow s

, .

An d here as i t is represen t ed t o t hi s Co n ven t ion t o

w
be t h e g e n er al desire of t h e Prot est an t E piscopal Church
.

in t hese St at es t hat t here may be furt her alt erat ion s of

,

t h e L it urgy t han such as are m ade n ecessary b y t he

American revolut ion ; t herefore The Book of Co mm o n
Prayer an d Adm in ist rat ion of t h e S ac ramen t s an d ot her
rit es an d cere mon ies as revised an d proposed t o t h e use
,

of t h e Prot e st an t E piscopal Church a t a Co n ven t i on of ,

t h e said Church i n t h e S t at es of N e w York N e w Jersey , ,

Pen n syl van ia Del aw are M arylan d Virg in i a an d S out h

, , ,

Carolin a ’ m ay be used by t h e C hurch in such of t h e

,

St at es as have ad opt ed or m ay adopt t h e sam e i n t he i r

part i cu lar con ve n t i o n s t ill furt h e r provis i o n is m ade, in
,

t hi s ca se , by t h e fir st Ge n eral Con ve n t io n w hich shal l

VO L . I . 5
66 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

asse mbl e w it h sufficien t pow er

, to rat ify a Book of C om
”
m on Prayer for t h e church i n t h ese St at es .

As proposed t h e previ ous year t h is art icl e w as

,

s im p l y b ased on t h e des ire of t h e P ro t est an t Epi s

“

copa l Church ; n ow it w as m ade e m pha t i c as t h e “

g e n eral des ire etc ,

The commit t ee t o draft an an sw er t o t h e l et t er of

t h e arch bis hops a n d bis hops of En gl a n d Dr Sm it h ,
.
,

chairm an report ed a draft w h i ch w as ag reed t o The

,
.

part w h i ch b ears on t h e su bj ect of t h i s h i s t ory w as as

foll o w s :
I t g ives us pleasure t o be assured t hat t h e su ccess
of ou r applicat ion w ill probably m ee t w it h n o g reat er
obst acles t h an w hat have arisen fro m doubt s respect in g
t h e e xt e n t of t h e alt erat io n s w e have m ade an d propos e d ;
a n d w e are happy t o lear n t hat as n o poli t ical i m pedi
,

m e n t s oppose us here t hose w hich at prese n t exis t i n

,

E n g lan d m ay be re m oved .

Whil e doubt s re m ain of our con t in uin g t o hold t h e

sam e esse n t ial art icles of fait h a n d disci p lin e w it h t h e
Church of E n gl an d w e ackn o w ledg e t h e pro p riet y of
,

suspe n din g a co mplian ce w it h our request .

“
We are u n an i m ous an d explicit in assuri n g your
L ordships t h at w e n eit her have depart e d n or propose
,

t o depart fro m t h e doct ri n es of your church We h a ve .

ret ai n ed t h e sam e disciplin e an d form s of w orship as ,

far as w as co n sist en t w it h our civil co n st it ut io n s ; a n d

w e have m ade n o alt erat io n s or o m issio n s i n t h e Book
of Comm o n Prayer bu t such as t hat co n siderat io n p r e
,

scribed an d such as w ere calculat ed t o rem ove object io n s ;

,

w hich i t appeared t o us m ore co n ducive t o u n io n an d

g e n eral co n t en t t o obv ia t e t han t o dispu t e I t is w ell .

k n ow n t h at m an y gre at an d pious m e n of t h e Chur ch of

E n g lan d have lon g w ished for a revisio n of t h e L i t ur gy ,
 T HE E I SC O A LI ANS P P . 67

w hich it w as d e em ed i m pruden t t o h azard l e ss i t m ig h t ,

beco m e a precede n t for repeat ed a n d im proper alt erat io n s .

This is w it h us t h e proper season for such a revi sio n .

We ar e n ow set t li n g an d orderi n g t h e aff air s of ou r

c h urch an d if w isely don e, w e shall have re aso n t o
,

pro m ise ourselves all t h e advan t ag es t hat c a n result fro m

st abilit y an d un io n .

“
We are an xious t o comple t e our E p iscopal syst e m ,

by m ean s of t h e Church of E n g lan d We e st ee m a n d .

prefe r it an d w it h g rat it ude ack n ow le dg e t h e pat ro n ag e

,

a n d favors for w h ic h w h ile co n n ect ed w e have c on

, ,

st an t l y b e e n i n debt e d t o t hat church Thes e co n sidera

.

t ion s added t o t hat of a g ree m e n t i n fait h a n d w orsh ip

, ,

pre ss u s t o repeat our form e r request an d t o en de avor ,

t o re m ove your prese n t hesit at io n by se n di n g you our

p ro p osed ecclesias t ical co n st i t ut ion a n d Book of Co mm on

Prayer .

“
These docum e n t s w e t rust w ill afford a full an s w er
, ,

t o every ques t io n t h at ca n a r ise on t h e subject We c on .

sider your L ord shi p s le t t e r as very can did an d ki n d ; w e

’

rep o s e f u ll co n fide n ce in t h e assuran c e s it g iv e s ; a n d t h at

con fide n ce t o g et h e r w it h t h e libe r al i t y a n d ca th olicis m
,

of your ve n erable body le a ds us t o fl att e r ourselve s t h at

,

y ou w ill n ot disclai m a bran ch of you r c h urc h m er e ly

f or h avi n g bee n i n your L or d ships opi n ion if t hat
,
’
,

should be t h e c ase prun ed rat h er m ore closely t han it s

,

separa io t n m ade absolut ely n eces s ary ”

.

An adj ourn ed co n ven t io n m e t in O ct ober a t Wil ,

m in gt o u Del a w are An o t her le t t er w as prese n t ed from

, .

t h e archb is hops a n d b i shops of En gl a n d .

I t w as i m possibl e ” t h e y said “ n ot t o observe w it h

, ,

co n cern t hat if t h e esse n t ial doct ri n es of our co mm o n

,

fai t h w ere re t ai n ed less respect w a s paid t o our L i t urg y

,

t han i t s ow n excelle n ce a n d y our declared at t achm e n t

,
68 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t o it , h ad led us t o expect N ot t o men t io n a vari et y

.

of verbal alt erat i on s, of t h e n ecessit y or propr i et y of

w h ich w e are by n o mean s sat i sfie d, w e saw w it h g ri ef
t hat t w o of t h e con fession s of our Chr is t ian fait h ,

respect able for t heir an t iquit y, ha ve b een e n t irely laid

aside ; an d t hat even in t hat w hich is called t h e Apost les ’

Creed a n art icle is o m i tt ed w hich w as t h ou g ht n ecessary

, ,

t o b e in ser t ed w it h a vie w t o a p art i cu lar heresy, in a

,

very early ag e of t h e church an d has ever sin ce h ad t h e

,

ve n erable san ct ion of un iversal recept io n N evert heless .

,

as a proof of t h e sin cere desire w hich w e feel t o con ti n ue

i n spirit ual comm un io n w it h t h e me mbers of your church
i n America a n d t o co mple t e t h e orders of your m i n ist ry
, ,

an d t rus t i n g t ha t t h e co mm un icat io n s w hich w e shal l

m ake t o you on t h e subject of t hese an d some ot her

alt erat io n s w il l ha ve t heir desired eff ect w e have, even ,

un der t hese circumst an ces prepared a Bill for co n vey in g

,

t o us t h e pow ers n ecessary for t his purpose I t w ill .

in a f e w days he prese n t ed t o Parli ame n t a n d w e have ,

t h e b es t reas o n s t o hope t hat it w ill receive t h e asse n t

of t h e L e g islat ure Thi s Bill w ill en able t h e archbishops
.

an d b ishops t o g i ve E pisco p al co n secrat io n t o t h e per

so n s w h o shall be reco m m en ded w it hout requiri n g fro m

,

t he m an y oat hs or sub script ion s in con sis t e n t w it h t h e

s it u at io n i n w hich t h e lat e revolut ion has placed t hem ;
upo n co n diti o n t hat t h e full sat isfact ion of t h e su f fi cien cy
of t h e person s recomm en ded w hi ch you off er t o us in
your address be g i ven t o t h e archbi shops an d bi shops ”
, .

“
B ut shoul d forg e t t h e dut y w hi ch w e ow e t o our
we
ow n church an d act in co n sis t e n t ly w i t h t hat si n cere
,

re gard w hi ch w e b e ar t o you rs if w e w ere n ot expli cit

,

i n decl arin g t hat a ft er t h e d ispos it ion w e have show n

, ,

t o com ply w it h t h e prayer of your a ddr ess w e t h in k it ,

n ow i n cu mbe n t upo n you t o use your u t m os t exert i o n s

al so, for t h e removal of an y st umbli n g block of o ff e n ce

-
 P
T HE E I S C O A LI ANS P . 69

w hich may possibly prove a n obst acle t o t h e success of

it . We t herefore m ost e arn est ly exhort you t hat pre ,

v i ou s l y t o t h e t i m e of your m aki n g such subscript io n ,

y ou res t ore t o i t s i n t e g rit y t h e Apos t les Creed in w hich

’
,

y ou h ave o m it t ed a n ar t icle m erely as it see m s fro m , ,

m isapp r ehe n sio n O f t h e se n se i n w hich i t is un derst ood

by our church ; n or c an w e help addi n g t hat w e h ope ,

you w il l t h i n k it bu t a decen t proof of t h e at t ach me n t

w hich you profess t o t h e servic e s Of your L i t urg y t o ,

g ive t o t h e o t her t w o creeds a place i n yo u r Book of

Co m m on Pray er eve n t hou g h t h e use of t h e m should
,

be left discre t ion al .

The a b ove be in g referred t o a commit t ee of tw o fro m

each St at e t hey report ed t hat
,

Bein g sin cerely dis p osed t o g ive every sat isfact ion
t o t heir L ordships w hic h w ill be con sis t e n t w i t h t h e
un io n an d g en eral con t e n t of t h e Church t he y represe n t ;
an d declari n g t he ir s t eadfas t resolut io n t o m ain t ai n t h e

sam e essen t i al art icles of fait h an d disciplin e w it h

t h e Ch u r ch of E n g lan d
N ow t herefore t h e sai d deput ies do hereby d et er
,

m in e a n d decl are ,
“
First That in t h e creed com m o n ly called t h e Apos
,
’
t les Creed t hese w ords He desce n ded i n t o Hell
’ ‘
, , ,

shall be an d con t i n ue a part of t hat cre e d .

“ eco dly
S n That t h e N ice n e Cre ed shall also be ih
,

se rt e d i n t h e said Book of Co mm o n Prayer i mm ediat ely ,

aft er t h e Apost les Creed prefaced w it h t h e Ru br i ck

’
,

[or t h is ] .

O n t h e firs t proposit io n t h e N e w J ersey an d Sou t h

,

Caro lin a deput ies vot ed aye ; t h e vot es of th e deput ies

from N e w Y ork P en n sy lvan ia an d Del a w are w ere
, ,

div ided ,t h e c l ergy vot i n g aye a n d t h e l ai t y vo t i n g

,

n o — a n d t h e vot es of t hose S t a t es w ere n ot cou n t ed

,
.
70 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

An d so are t o b e rest ored t here b e in g t w o

t h e w ords
ayes an d n o n eg at ive
”
.
,

O n t h e q ues t i o n S ha ll t h e creed common ly ca ll ed

,

t he A t ha n as i a n Creed b e adm itt ed in t h e Lit urg y of t h e

Pro t est an t Ep i scopa l Church in t h e U n i t ed S t at es of
Ameri ca ? N e w Y ork Pe n n sylvan ia a n d S ou t h Caro
”
, ,

lin a vot ed n ay N e w Jersey an d Del aw are w ere d iv i ded

,
.
.

"

An d so it w as de t er mi n ed in t h e n eg a t i ve .

The address of t h e Co n ven t io n To t h e Arch bi shops

of Can t erb u ry an d Y ork se t fort h ,
”
,

We have t ake n in t o our m ost serious an d deliberat e

“

con siderat ion t h e several m at t e r s so afi e ct i on at e l y rec

omm e n de d t o u s i n t hose co m m u n icat ion s a n d w hat ever ,

could be do n e t o w ards a co m plian ce w it h your fat herly

w ishes a nd advice co n sis t e n t ly w it h our local cir cu m
,

st an ces an d t h e peace an d un it y of our church hat h

, ,

been ag reed t o ” .

5 .Rev J OHN T YL ER w h o b ecame rect or o f Chri st s

.
,
’

Church in N orw i ch Co n n ec t ic u t in 1 7 6 9 a n d so re
, , ,

mai n ed t ill h i s deat h more t h an fift y years lat er w a s a

, ,

Un iversal ist on t h e Re ll yan scheme He w rot e a n d .

preached in it s defe n ce six sermo n s from t h e t ext : ,

The wag es of sin is deat h bu t t h e g ift of God is ,

e t ern a l life t hrough Jesus Christ our Lord ( Ro man s

,

vi . They w ere pu bli shed an o n ymous ly in Bost o n , ,

i n 1 7 9 8 t h e vo l um e b ear in g t he t it l e U n iversa l Dam

,

n at i o n a n d Sa lvat i o n c l earl y proved b y t h e Scr i p t ures

of t h e Ol d an d N e w Test amen t ; an d it i s sa i d t hat he

fre q ue n t l y advocat ed t hese se n t i men t s in h is reg u l ar
min ist rat i o n s I n con se q uen ce of his m ak i n g t h e dis
.

t in c t i o n w h i ch J oh n M urray d id b e t w ee n sal va t i o n ,

an d redemp t i o n he w a s oft e n m i su n ders t ood an d w as

, ,
 P
T HE E I S C O ALI ANS P .
71

some t imes accused of de n y in g th e se n t ime n t s t augh t in

h is w rit in g s B u t he ret ain ed h i s U n iversali st vi e w s
.

t o t h e l ast .

Al t hou g h M r Ty l er w a s averse t o b e in g k n o w n as
.

o t her t han a zeal ous a n d l oyal E pi scopalian ye t h i s ,

w arm perso n a l fr ie n dsh ip for M r M urray i n duced him .

t o supp ly t h e l a t t er s pu l pit s i n Glouces t er O xford a n d

’

, ,

Bost o n occasion ally

, I n a pa m ph le t issued by t h e
.

First Paris h in Glouces t er he is cal led a Tory E pisc o ,

“

pal ia n an d is said t o b e on e of t h e preachers or

,
”
,

st rolli n g m en dican t s w it h w hich t h i s t o w n has ,

”

bee n in fest ed .
”

M r Ty ler becam e a Re l lyan Un iversa li st as e a rly as

.

1 7 82 as a l e t t er i s n ow ex t a n t w ri t t e n b y h im t o Rev
, , .

N oah Parker of P or t sm out h N H da t ed O ct ob er 22 of

,
. .
,

t ha t year in w h i ch he g i ves h i s t houg h t s on cer t ai n por

,

t i o n s of S cri p t ure me n t i o n ed i n M r Parker s le tt er of

’
.

July 1 The fo ll o w in g ex t ract w ill show h ow i n t en sel y

.

Rellyan he had b eco m e

A s t o t hose w ord s
paren t he sis con t ai n e d in in t h e ,

t h e 8t h verse of t h e 1 7 t h c h apt er of Revelat io n s (w h ose

n am es w ere n ot w ri t t e n i n t h e book of life from t h e
foun dat ion of t h e w o r ld) I fin d t hey st an d i n t h e Gr e e k ,

Test am en t an d appe a r sit uat e d as a pare n t h e sis an d se e m

, ,

n at urally t o refer t o t h e precedi n

g w ord s t hey t h at ‘
,

dw ell on t h e eart h t hat is t hose i n h abi t an t s of t h e ,

e ar t h w h ose n am es w e re n ot w rit t e n i n t h e book of life

fro m t h e fou n dat io n of t h e w orld shall w on d e r w he n

t hey b e hold t h e beast H e re it m ay be said t h at t h ose
.

w h o d w ell on t h e eart h w ho s e n a me s w e re n ot w ri t t e n i n

t h e book of life are n ot m e n bu t apos t at e an g els

,
For ,
.

t h e devil is t h e pri n ce of t h is w o r l d — an d C h r is t t ook ,

n ot on h im t h e n at ure of an e ls
g The refore t h e n am e s of .
72 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

t he falle n an g els (w hose prin cip alit y is i n t his w orld it ,

see m s) can n ot be w ritt e n i n t h e boo k of life ; bu t Christ

,

t ook on h i m t hat seed of Abrah am i n w ho m all t h e fam i

lies of t h e e art h are t o be blessed An d if t hey are t o be .

blessed t h e n ce rt ai n ly it is beca u se t heir n am es w ere

,

w rit t e n i n t h e book of life ; for s u rely t hose are n ot t o ,

be blessed of w ho m t h e book of life k n o w s n o t hi n g .

An d Chri s t is t h e he a d of every man a n d co n seque n t ly

every m an t h e bo dy of Christ u n less Christ is t h e head ,

of t h at w h ich is n ot his body w hich w ould be an abs o ,

lut e absurdit y t o suppose B u t w e bein g man y are on e

.
,

body i n Christ ou r head ; w h ose m e mbers w ere all

w ri t t e n i n Go d s book w e are t old An d t herefore t here
’
,
.
,

c an be n o hu m an in h a bit an t s of t h e eart h w hose n am es

w ere n ot w rit t e n i n t h e book of life fro m t h e fou n dat ion

of t h e w orld ; for w e had g race i n Christ before t h e
w orld w a s .Can i t be t hat an y part of his body w h o is
t h e head of every m an should n ot be w rit t e n i n t h e book
,

of life w he n it w a s so part icularly foret old of Christ

, ,

t hat a bon e i n h i m should n ot be broke n Is Christ t h e

head of t h at w hich is n ever t o h ave life God said I ,

am t h e God of Abraham etc An d sai d our L ord be is

,
’
.
,
‘

n ot t h e God of t h e dead b u t of t h e livi n g S o C h rist ’

,
.
,

w h o is t h e life a n d t o w ho m i t is g i v
,
e n t o have life i n
him self can n ot be t h e he ad of a body t hat is n ot kn o w n
,

i n t h e book of l ife ; because t his w ould re n de r t h e n e w

m an m ade of t h e t w ain J e w an d Ge n t ile ext re m ely i m
, , ,

perfect a n d g reat ly mai m ed t h e he ad fin ally obli g e d t o

,

t ake up w it h m uch less t han half a body a ccor d i n g t o ,

t h e O pin io n of t hose w h o expect t h e g reat es t part of

human n at ure w ill fi n ally be lost N o ; Christ is n ot t h e .

livin g h ead of a de ad body n or of o n ly half a body ; t his

,

w ould be m o n st rous bu t because he lives w e shall live

,

also An d sin ce t h e free g ift cam e upon all m e n u n t o

.

just ificat io n of li fe of course all m e n m ust have t heir

,

n a m es w ri t t e n i n t h e book of life ; u n less t hose are u st i

j e
 P
T HE E I S C O ALI A NS P .
73

fle d t o life or declared t o have a ri ght an d t it le t o life

, ,

w h o t hrou g h n e g l e c t w ere n ot n amed i n t h e book of life

an d if so havi n g t heir n am es w ri t t e n i n t h e book of life
, ,

or n ot w ould be a m at t er of li tt le or n o co n seque n ce
, .

“
B u t i n t h e n ext place i t m ay be said w h ose n am es
, ,

w e re n ot w rit t e n i n t h e book of life refers ag reeable t o t h e

’
,

co mm on lan g uag e O f S crip t u re Wholly t o t h e a p p r e h e n ,

sio n s of m e n s ow n m i n ds They w h o d w ell on t h e eart h

’
.
,

w h ile u n b e lievers have n o apprehen sio n of t h e ir n am es

,

bein g w rit t en in t h e book of life Their n am es are n ot .

,

t o t he m w rit t e n i n t h e book of life ; t o t h e m

,
t o t h eir
vi e w — t h e ir n am es do n ot appe ar w rit t en As it is said .
,
‘
he t h at beli e ve t h n ot is co n de mn e d already Co n de mn ed .
’

by w h om N ot by God ; for he j u st ifie t h t h e un g odly .

I t is God t hat j u s t ifie t h ; w h o is he t hat co n de m n e t h

for it is Christ t hat died ; yea rat her t h at is rise n ag ain , ,

for our just ificat ion B u t if God co n dem n e t h t h e un be

.

liever h ow t hen did t h e free gift co m e upo n all me n un t o

,

just ificat io n of life An d s h all t heir un b e lief m ake t h e

fait h of G od w it hout eff ect w h o pro m ise d t o bl e ss all
,

t h e fa m ili e s of t h e eart h i n t h e seed of A braham He

t h at believe t h n ot is co n de mn ed already by w ho m ,

t he n By his ow n co n scien ce because he believet h n ot

t h e record t hat G od hat h g ive n of h i s S on an d t h e

re co r d is t h at God hat h g iven u n t o us e t ern al life a n d

, ,

t his life is i n his S on B u t he t hat do n t believe t his ’

.

record is co n de m n ed already i n h i s ow n co n scie n ce be ,

cause he app re h en ds hi mself u n der sen t en ce of deat h by

t h e l aw Therefore w e are just ified by fait h Where
.
,
.

I n ou r ow n m i n ds ; for as a m an t hi n ke t h so is h e By ,
.

g race ye are saved t hrou g h fai t h ,

S aved w here In .

your ow n m i n ds ; for t hey w h o believe have joy a n d ,

peace in believin g An d t his is et ern al life t o k n o w

.

God an d Jesus Christ B u t does t h is kn ow led g e g ive a

,
.

t i t le t o life N o ; i t o n ly discovers w hat w as t r u e before ,

n am ely t hat God hat h g ive n u n t o us e t ern al life — i n his

,
74 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

S on ; an d t h e soul fin din g w here it s life is be g i n s t o par

, ,

t i c ip at e of i t S o t hose w h ose n a mes are n ot w ri t t e n i n

.

t h e book of life are t h ose w h o have n ot y e t foun d w h ere

,

t h eir life i s h id ; a n d so i n t heir vie w h ave n ot t h eir

, ,

n am e s w ri t t e n i n t h e book of life B u t w h e n t hey co m e .

t o k n o w t h e t hin g s t hat belo n g t o t heir peace t hen w ill ,

t hey p ass fro m deat h t o life — t h eir fait h w ill overco m e

t h e w o rl d . A n d Christ w ill t h e n w rit e upo n t h e m t h e
n am e of his God a n d t h e n am e of t h e cit y O f his God
, ,

N e w Jerusale m w hich com e t h do w n ou t of heave n fro m

,

his God ; an d w ill w rit e upon t he m his n e w n am e an d ,

g ive t h e m t o e at of t h e hidde n m an n a an d w ill g ive t he m ,

a w hit e st o n e an d in t h e st o n e a n e w n am e w rit t en fro m

,

t h e fou n dat ion of t h e w orld w hich n o ma n kn ow et h sav ,

in g h e t hat receivet h i t Thus t h e S cript ures if duly at

.
,

t e n ded t o w ill serve t o explai n t heir ow n m ean i n g ; a n d

,

w ill preve n t our i n t erpret at io n of an y si n g le t ext i n such

a m an n er as t o m ake i t direct ly opposit e t o t h e g en eral
an alo g y of t h e S cript ure B u t aft er all t hat I have said
.
,

t hose w ords i n t h e paren t hesis w hose n am es w ere n ot ,

‘

w rit t e n i n t h e book of life ap pe ar so u n cout h ly ’

etc ,
.
,

w ed g ed i n so us e less t o t h e se n se of t h e p assag e so
, ,

m uch like m ere hum an art ifice t o serve a part y desi g n ,

t hat m y privat e opi n io n is t hat t hey n ever appeared i n ,

an y of t h e firs t co p ies of t h e N e w Tes t a m e n t b u t w ere ,

so m e m an s m arg in al n ot e w hich aft erw ards w a s w edg ed

’

i n t o t h e t ext of so me la t er copies by so m e i g n oran t or ,

carele ss t ran scriber An d by such mean s am on g ot he rs

.
, ,

w e have n ear t w o t housan d variat io n s lo n g a g o di scov ,

ered in t h e several H ebre w an d Greek copies of t h e Ol d

,

an d N e w Tes t am e n t s t hat have bee n crit ically exam in ed

, .

A n d could I obt ai n a vie w of Dr K e n n i cot t s n e w t ran sl a .

’

t io n I shoul d expect t o fin d (i n t h e colum n of t h e varia

,

t io n of C opies ) t hat t h e w ords of t h e pare n t hesis are

foun d i n n o very an cie n t copie s I kn o w so m e w ill be .

ready t o say t hat I am so blin ded by part y prej udices

 P
T HE E I S C O A LI ANS P . 75

t h at I am for expun g in g fro m S cript ure every t hin g t h at

appear s ag ai n st my favorit e t en e t s B u t pray o n ly c on .

sider ; w ill n ot t hose un believin g dw ellers upo n t h e e art h

w h o are aft erw ards t o believe he as likely t o w o n der ,

w h e n t h ey behold t h e b e a s t t hat w a s an d is n ot an d y e t , ,

is as t hose un believers w h ose n am es w ere n ot w rit t en i n

,

t h e book of life if such t here are ?

, Why shoul d t h e
n on e l e c t
-
un believers w o n der at t h e beas t an y ,

t han t h e elect ed u n believers A r e t h e elec t ed u n be l i e v

ers acquain t ed w it h t h e m yst eries of heaven an d h e ll
w h il e in un belief a n d o n ly t h e rest so i gn oran t as t o
,

w on de r at t he m S urely t his ca n n ever be supp osed .

Wh y t h e n should it be said t h ey t hat d w ell on t h e e ar t h

,

w h ose n am es w ere n ot w ritt e n i n t h e b ook of life fro m ,

t h e fou n dat ion of t h e w orld shall w o n der w he n t hey ,

behold t h e beast , ’ e t c Will all t h e un believers t he n be

.
, ,

n on e l e ct ed
-
or reprobat es
,
H ow un cou t h " H ow m an y
m arks of in t erpolat io n " T h e w isdom of God an d t h e
w is do m of man can n o m ore ag ree t o g e t her t han iro n

a n d clay c an firmly ce m e n t a n d hol d equal ly t o g e t h er ,

w h e n p u t t o t h e t ri al S o t h at for my part I c an very

.
,

w ell read t h e 8t h verse of t h e 1 7 t h chapt er of t h e Reve

l a t i on s w it hou t t h e pare n t hesis I have n o ac coun t of .

t h e various readin g s of t h e copies of t h e book of Revel a

t ion s bu t h a ve n o doubt t hat an accurat e accoun t of
,

t h e various readin g s w ould s e t t his m at t e r ri gh t S uch .

” 1
a n accoun t I earn est ly w ish t o see .

I n t he l ast sermon vo l ume b efore men t ion ed

in t h e ,

M r Ty l er makes some s t a t eme n t s w h i ch sho w t ha t he

.

w as w e ll read i n t h e h is t ory o f op in i on s in t h e Church

of En g l an d He says : .

M et hi n ks I hear a n obj ect or t o t h is purp ose : H ow

co mes it t o pas s t hat of all t h e clergy of t h e Church of
1 T he Ladie s Re posit or
’
y ,
v ol . x xv . pp 2 7 1 2 7 2
.
-
.
76 UNI VERSA LI SM IN AM ERI C A .

E n g lan d, you ar e t h e o n ly on e t hat eve r fou n d ou t t hat

i t is t h e doc t ri n e of t h e Bi ble t h at all m e n have a t it le i n
Chris t t o et ern al life t hat all m e n w ill fin ally be save d
,

An d h ow do e s it beco m e you as a clerg ym an of t h e ,

C h urc h of E n g lan d t o t each a doct rin e so co n t rary t o

,

w h at is a n d ever has bee n t au g ht by t hat church

,
SO
n o defere n c e is t o b e pai d t o an y of her bishops or t h e ,

j udg m en t or opi n io n of a n y o t her of her g reat an d

le a rn ed m e n n or i n deed t o t h e opi n io n of t h e w hole
,

C h r ist ian ch urch for seve n t ee n hun dr e d years I an s w er ,

I a m n ot t h e o n ly on e of all t h e clergy of t h e Chur ch

of E n glan d t hat h a s foun d t his doct rin e i n t h e Bible ;
a n d if I w a s t h e o n ly on e surely I have a ri g ht t o pre ac h
,

t h e g ospel eve n t h e t rut h as it is i n Jesus if I fin d it

, , ,

w het her I ag ree w it h an o t her m an or n ot u n less t h e ,

aut h orit y of m e n is g reat er t han t h e au t hori t y of God .

Cert ai n ly I have n o ri g ht t o preach w hat I t hin k t o be

,

i n co n sist en t w it h t h e t rut h ; ho w ever as a cl e rgym an ,

of t h e Church of E n g lan d I have a ri g ht t o jud g e for

,

m yself of t h e pro m ises of God for t h e Church of

,
“

E n g lan d i n t h e close of her seve n t ee n t h art icle of reli g ion

direct s t h u s eve n in t hese very w ords w e m ust re ceive
, ,
‘

Go d s pro mises in such w ise as t hey be g e n erally s e t

’

fort h in t h e Holy S cript ur es ; bu t as she has n ot t ol d

’

i n her art icles h ow God s pro m ises are t o be u n derst ood

’
,

except as t h ey are g en erally se t fort h i n t h e Holy S crip

t u r es she cert ain ly leaves i t t o m e t o jud g e for m ys e lf
,

of t hese prom ises ; an d I do j u dg e t he m t o be pro m ises

of e t e rn al life t o all m an kin d w it hout except io n i n Christ
Jes u s our L ord An d t h e art icles of t h e C h urch of E n g
.

l an d as I have heret ofore t ake n n ot ice do se t fort h t h e

, ,

o fferin g of Christ o n ce m a de as a perfect rede mpt io n ,

propit iat io n an d sat isfact io n for all t h e sin s of t h e w hole

,

w orld bot h ori g i n al a n d act ual

, N ow I ask if t here is
.
,

perfect sat isfac t io n m ade by Christ for every s i n of t h e

w hole w orld h ow just ice c an ever co n de mn or execut e t h e
, ,
 P P
T HE E I S CO ALI ANS . 77

sen t en ce of t h e l aw for sin upon an y on e i n dividual of

,

t h e h u m an race When a perfect sat isfact io n is already

m ade t o God for all t h e s in s of m e n t o de m an d t h e pay ,

m e n t over a g ai n is ev ide n t ly t h e hig hes t in jus t ic e — as ,

great in just ice as i t w ould have be e n t o have pu n ished all

man k in d w it h everlast in g m isery i f n o on e of t hem had
ever sin n ed If every sin of t h e w hole w orld is sat isfied
.

for it i s pl a in an d evide n t t hat every man must be saved

,
‘

For w h at can con de mn a n y m an i f t h e s in s of all are

,

sat isfie d for If t hey ar e n ot saved, i t is plain t he y c an

n ot be pu n ished ; b u t t here is n o m i ddl e w ay be t w e e n sal

vat io n an d damn at ion ; so t hat you must see t h e Church

of E n g lan d has i n her art icle s t au ght t h e salvat ion of all
me n at le as t impliedly
,
An d am I t o be con dem n ed for
.

diff eri n g from all t h e church clergy i n doct rin e b ecause I ,

preac h u p t h e doct ri n es of t h e t hirt y n in e art icles Is t his

-
.

a cri me — t o preach up t h e doct rin e co n t ain ed in t h e art i

,

cl e s of t h e Chu rch of E n g lan d — because it is said n o n e of

, , ,

t h e rest t each so bu t t h e co n t rary

, Will t h e preachin g
u p t h e doct ri n e O f t h e C h ur ch of E n g lan d con t ra dict t h e

doctr in e of h e r clergy This w ould be a sad t hi n g in

deed Can pre ac hin g t h e doct rin e of t h e Church of E n g
.

la n d be sho w i n g disrespect t o her b i shops or g re at w rit ers , ,

or C lergy w h o com posed t h e t h irt y n in e art icles

,
-
Was
it n ot t h e b ishops an d clerg y of t h e Church of E n g lan d,
an d w as i t t heir doc t rin e or did t hey se t fort h a doct ri n e
for t h e Church of E n g lan d di ff ere n t fro m t heir ow n doc
t ri n e B u t my t eachi n g t hat all m an ki n d w ill fin ally
be h appy is n ot pre achin g con t rary t o w hat is an d ever
has been t aug ht by all t h e rest O f t h e clerg y of t h e
Church of E n g lan d For n o less a man t han Archbish op
.

Tillot son h as bee n w rot e ag ain st for pre achin g t h is doc

t r in e ; a n d at least i n on e of his se rm on s he did i n t i mat e
t hat t his w as his op i n ion t hou g h at t h e sam e t i m e he
,

appeared t o be i n dark n ess an d doubt about it ; an d sev

eral ot hers of t h e clerg y of t h e churc h have t au ght t h e
78 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

salvat ion of all m e n M r M u r don a chur ch clergy man

. . .
,

n ow li v i n g I suppose, has for a n u mb er of years preached

,

t h e sam e doct ri n e as I do ope n ly an d fully an d has , ,

prin t ed a book u po n t h e subj ect ; an d y e t is i n full an d

re g ul a r st an di n g un der his bish op Dr St eed — a clergy . .
,

man of t h e Church of E n g lan d, w h o di ed a f e w years

ag o an d w a s g reat ly a dm ired as a preacher i n m os t par t s
,

of E n g la n d — st y 1ed by lat e w rit ers t h e in g e n ious Dr

, .

St eed ,
in a serm on w hich he delivere d i n S t Pau l ’s
’ -
.

Cat hedral Church in L o n don speakin g upon t h e r e de mp ,

t ion has t hese w ords :

, Ou r S aviour laid dow n his life
‘

for t h e si n s of t h e w hole w orld ; he came t hat as in Adam ,

al l die so i n Chr i st shall all be m ade al i ve

, t hat as by ,
-
,

on e m an s disobedie n ce m an y t h e m an y or m a n ki n d i n
’
, ,

g e n eral w ere made sin n ers t reat e d as such a n d mad e

, , ,

subject t o deat h t h e w ag es of si n so by t h e obedien ce

, ,

of on e m an y w ere m ade rig ht eous Ag ain speakin g of .

’
,

Christ says he The sphere of h i s be n e fic e n ce ext e n ded

, ,
‘

back w ards t o t h e foun dat ion of t h e w orld, an d reaches

forw ard t o t h e last con flag rat ion ; he becam e t h e S aviour
of all ag es fro m t h e first birt h of t i m e t o it s las t period
, ,

t h e fat her of m an k in d from t h e ris in g of t h e su n t o ,

t h e g oin g do w n of t h e sam e The blessin g s of h i s co min g .

i n t o t h e w orld ar e as ext en sive as t h e w orld an d as last ,

in g as e t er i
n t y ’
S ays he Behol d t h e Son of God, pour
.
,

in g for t h his blood as w ell as prayers, eve n for t hose

t h at shed i t ; behold him at on ce b earin g t h e in sul ts ex ,

piat i n g t h e sin s an d procuri n g happi n ess for m an kin d

, ,

t ill at last he bo w s his sacred head, an d shut s up t h e

sole mn scen e w it h t hese sh ort bu t comprehe n sive w ords ,

I t is fin i s h e d ” The g re at t h e s t up e n dou s w ork i s don e ;

.
,

t h e u n ive rsal sacrifice w hic h shall t ake i n all ma n ki n d,

,

an d w hich all m an ki n d shall co n t emplat e t hrou g hout

e t ern ity wi t h aw ful joy a n d g rat it ude i s co m ple t ed , ,

t h e b en efi t of w hose act ion s a n d suff eri n g s reac h es t o

all ag es all n at ion s all man kin d Ou r S aviour w as a
, ,
.
 T HE E PI SC O ALI ANS P .
79

perso n born for t h e w hole w orld for w hi ch he die d , a ,

bless i n g t o all m an kin d fro m t h e be g in n in g of t ime,

an d w h o m al l m an kin d w ill h ave re a so n t o bless w he n

t ime shall be n o m o r e
’
.

You may depe n d on it t hat t hese w ords w ere preached

in S t Paul s Ch u rch i n L o n d on ; so t hat as a church
’
.

clergy man I am n ot t e achin g a doct rin e w hich is con t rary

t o w hat is or ever has been t au g ht by all t h e rest of t h e
clerg y of t h e Church of E n g lan d I don t kn ow t hat I .
’

have ever said an yt hin g t hat m ore st ron gly poin t s ou t

t h e salvat ion of al l m e n t han t hese w ords of Dr S t e e d .

I have just n ow recit ed t houg h I must co n fess t hat in

,

som e ot her passag es of his serm on s he says What seem s

in con sis t e n t w i t h t hose passag e s I recit ed ; bu t w hat I
did re ci t e he n o doubt said B u t I a m supposed t o differ
.

f ro m t h e w h ole body of t h e Christ ian church for seve n

t ee n hun dre d years I an s w e r t h is w ould be a m elan
.
,

ch ol y co n siderat io n i n d e e d if i t w ere t r ue ; b
, u t c an t h e

tr adit io n of t h e w hole bo dy o f t h e Christ ian church m ake

void t h e g ospel t h e everlast in g coven an t of God s peace?
,
’

B u t t he n t h e t radit io n or op in ion of t h e Christ ian church

, ,

pret t y un iversally for a t h o u san d years ou t of t h e seven

,

t ee n hun dred has bee n i n favor of popery ; t herefore if

,

t h e opin io n of t h e body of t h e Christ i an chu rch is a sure

proof of w h at is t h e t rue m ean in g of S cript ure t hen ,

surely w e ou g ht all t o beco m e Ro m an Cat holics imme di

at ely ; for popery has t h e O pin ion of t h e w hole body of
t h e Ch r ist ian church pret t y un iversally in it s favor for
t e n hun dr ed years an d t h e m ai n body of t h e Christ ian
,

ch urch ag ain st her for n o m ore t h an about seve n h u n

dred y e ars ; an d t w o hun dr ed years of t hese seven if t he ,

opin io n of t h e w hole Christ ian church had been t aken ,

I st ron g ly suspect t h at t h e vot e w ou ld have t urn ed i n

favor of popery If t h e g e n eral opin i o n of t h e Christ ian
.
.

church is an y proof t o de t ermi n e w hat is ri g ht an d t rue

, ,

w h y are n ot you all papist s If it is n o proof, w h y i s

80 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

it alleg ed ag ain st me The t rut h co n cern in g t h e Chris

t ian church I t ake t o be t his : t h e O pi n io n of t hose t hat
,

called t he m selves Christ ian s alm ost u n ive r sally t hroug h

,

t h e w orld w a s i n favor of popery t ill about t h e year

,

fift een hun dre d ; si n ce t h e year fift een hu n dred Chris ,

t ian s have bee n divided in t o t w o g re at classes bei n g g e n ,

e r al l y Ro m an Cat holics or Pro t es t an t s bu t t h e Ro m an

,

Cat holics m ost n um erous Fro m t h e Apost les t i m e t ill

.
’

t h e i n t roduct ion of popery is a period of about four or

five hun dred years ; i n w hich t i me t h e g e n eral opin ion
of t h e bishops an d clergy of t h e Christ ian church w a s ,

i f w e believe Dr Whit by w h o w as es t ee m ed a g reat an d

.
,

learn ed divin e of t h e Church of E n g lan d a n d very pro ,

foun d in his kn o w ledg e of an t iquit y havin g spe n t m uch ,

t im e i n searchi n g t h e records of t h e pri m it ive church ,

an d can n o t be supposed t o g ive t his accoun t t hroug h an y

prejudice i n favor of t his doct rin e t hat all m e n w ill

be saved ; for he w rot e a co n siderable t reat ise ag ain st
Bishop Tillo t son for in t imat i n g or hin t in g in a sermo n
t h at all m e n w ould fin ally be saved says Dr Whit by
,
.

‘
This hat h bee n t h e con st an t doct rin e of t h e chu rch of
Christ o w n ed by t h e Greek an d L at in Fat hers ; am o n g
,

t h e Greek fat hers Chrysost o m w hose w ords are t hese

, , ,
“
Whe n t h e fuln ess of t h e Gen t iles is co m e in t he n all ,

Israel shall be saved at t h e t i me of Christ s seco n d c om

,
’

” “
i n g an d t h e co n su mmat io n of all t hin g s
,
They of t h e .

people of Israel w h o for t heir un belief w ere desert ed t hat

, ,

God s m ercy m i g ht be show e d t o you — t hey sh all n ot

’
,

alw ays be left in un belief ” says Orig e n ; “ bu t w hen t h e

,

dispen sat io n of t h e fuln ess of t h e Gen t iles is com plet ed ,

t hey also shall fin d m ercy ; Israel m ay t he n also e n t er ;

for if t h e f u ln ess of t h e Gen t iles be co m e in t he n all ,

Israel shall be saved an d t here shall be on e fold an d on e

,

S hepherd ” . Dr W h it by adds t hese w ords : Al l t h e

.
‘

L at i n Fat hers w h o have left us a n y co mm e n t aries or

n o t es on t his e is t le m ean in
p g t h e epis t le t o t h e Ro m a n s
, ,
 P
T HE E I SC O ALI ANS P .
81

are plain ly of t h e sam e m in d ; as you m ay plain ly see

by co n sult i n g Hilary t h e Deaco n Pr i ma siu s S e du t iu s , , ,

a n d Hay m o Fro m t hose of t h e prophe t Hosea — The

.
,

ch ildre n of Israel sh all abide man y days w it hout a kin g ,

a n d w it hout a pri n ce a n d w i t hout a s acrifice a n d w it h

, ,

ou t a n al t ar a n d w it ho u t an ephod a n d w i t hout a t e ra
, ,

ph i m aft erw ards shall t h e childr en of Israel re t urn an d

seek t h e L ord t h eir G od a n d Da vid t heir kin g an d sh all , ,

fe ar t h e L ord a n d h is g oodn ess in t h e lat t er days

, ,

(H osea chap iii verses 4

,
. w hich S ai n t Aug ust i n pro
.
,

du c e d t o prove t hat t h e carn al Israelit e w h o n ow w ill n ot

believe shall h ereaft er do so he sait h “ N o t h i n g is m ore , ,

m an ifes t t han t h at by David t heir ki n g t h e prop h e t , ,

m e an e t h Jes u s Christ i n w hom t hey n ow believe n ot ” , .

S ai n t Cyril sai t h “ Here is a m an if e st declarat ion of w h at

,

sh all h ereaft er happen t o t h e adult erous syn ag o g ue a n d ,

t h at she shall be received ag ai n t hat Israel should n ot ,

alw ays be reject ed bu t bein g recalled an d co n vert ed

,

ag ain t o t h e fait h should ow n Christ accordin g t o t h e

,

fl esh t o be t h e ki n g of all an d t h at h i s glorio u s g race ,

”
sh o uld be afforded t o her t o t h e e n d of t h e w orld S ai n t .

Je rom e h avi n g cit ed t hose w ords of Christ spoke n t o

, ,

t h e barr e n fi g t ree L e t n o frui t g row on t hee forever

-
,

(M at t xxi
. he bid s us dili g en t ly co n sider t h at h e sait h
.

n ot forever an d ever b u t on l
y i n s e cu l u m for t h at a g e ;
, ,

a n d w he n t hat a g e is p as t a n d w he n t h e ful n ess of t h e ,

Gen t iles is co me i n t he n shall t his fig t ree br in g fort h

,
-

h e r fruit s an d all Israel b e saved

,
— Dr Whit by i m m e .
’
.

diat e l y adds t he se w ords S O g e n erally did t his doct rin e ,

obt ain am o n g t h e an cien t s ; an d s ays he This doct rin e ,

hat h t h e suff rag e of all t h e an cien t Fat hers .

’

N ow m y hearers you are able t o de t er m i n e w he t her

, ,

by preachin g up t h e salvat ion of all m e n I h ave de part ed ,

from t h e Op i n io n of t h e w hole Christ ian church for so

lon g a period as seve n t een hun dred years I a m sure .

y ou w ill t hro w ou t of t h e quest io n t h e O pi n ion of t h e

VOL . I .
5
82 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Christ i an church w he n almost sw allo w ed u p in popery

,

for a t housan d year s ; t he n I have t h e opin io n of t h e

w hole body of t h e C h rist ian church accordin g t o Dr , .

Whit by s accoun t in favor of t h e doct rin e I preach for

’
, ,

a perio d of bet w ee n four an d five hun dre d years an d t hat ,

i mme diat ely aft e r t h e apost les B u t exclusive of popery .

, ,

you w h o m ay belie v e t hat part of m an ki n d peris h ever

last i n gly have t h e opi n io n O f alm ost half of t h e Chris
,

t ian ch u rch I m ean t h e Pro t est an t part for a period of

, ,

be t w ee n t w o a n d t h ree hun dred years ; so t hat t hr ow ,

i n g popery ou t of t h e quest ion t h e C h rist ian church ,

s p e ak i n m y favo r for about double t h e t i me t hat par t

of t he m g ive t h e ir voice in your favor They g ive .

t he ir voice i n m y favor i mm ediat ely aft er t h e apost l e s

left t h e m ; part O f t hem n ow g ive t heir voice in you r
favor aft er forsakin g so me of t h e superst it ious fears
,

of popery .

N ow w ere t h e pri m it ive Christ ian s as likely t o de

,

rive errors fro rn t h e ap os t les as t h e Prot est an t s t o derive ,

errors fro m t h e Papish Ch u rch ou t O f w hich t h ey came ,

Su r ely n ot ” .

That ot her Epi scopal cl erg yme n in Con n ect i cu t w ere

i n sy m pa t hy w it h M r Ty ler in h is Un iversa lis t v ie w s
.
,

i s evide n t fro m t h e fact t hat in 1 7 85 Rev Samuel , , .

Pe t ers A M pu bli shed in Lon don A Le t t er t o t he

,
. .
, ,
“

Rev John Ty l er A M
. co n cern in g t h e poss ibilit y of
, . .
,

e t ern al pu n i shmen t s an d t h e i mpro b abil it y of u n i

,

versal salvat i on He says in t h e advertis em e n t or

.
,

preface

The aut hor of t h e follo w in g l et t er hav in g heard t hat

several of t h e E piscopal clerg y i n Co n n ect icut h i s m uch ,

est ee m e d frie n ds an d fello w —laborers in t h e L ord had ,

joi n e d w it h M r Tyler for w h ose priv at e use t hese obse r

.
,
 T HE C ONGRE GAT I ONA LI S T S . 83

v at i on s w ere
pri m ar ily in t e n ded w as in d u ced t o h ave ,

t he m pr in t ed t h at e ac h of his bre t h re n m i g h t have a

,

copy at t h e cheapest rat e a furt he r evide n ce of h i s ,

”
w ishes for h
t e ir spiri t ual an d t e m poral g ood .

V . T HE C ON GRE GATION AL I S T S .

AM ONG Con g reg at i on al ist s of N e w En gl an d t here

the
w a s som e U n iversali sm prior t o 1 7 7 0 — t h e da t e of t h e ,

arr ival O f John M urray in A m erica a n d in so m e

'

-
,

l ocal it i es aft er h is arrival bu t w ho lly in depen den t of

,

h im a n d h is t heory of rede m p t io n .

1 Dr C HARLES C HAU NC Y w h o gradua t ed fro mHar

. .
,

vard in 1 7 2 1 a n d w as ordain ed past or of t h e First

,
“

Church in Bos t o n in 1 7 2 7 w as di s t in g u i shed for his ,

learn in g an d pat r iot i sm He b ecame a U n iversalis t

.

so m e years before m akin g a publ ic avo w al of h is c on

v ic t i on s t houg h he expressed him se lf freel y t o h i s
,

fr ien ds an d sub m itt ed t o t he m his w rit in g s on t h e

,

subj ect .

Ab ou t t h e year 1 7 5 0 he un dert ook a cl ose an d c ri t i

cal st udy of t h e Scri pt ures part icul arly of t h e ep i s t l es
,

of St Paul in w hich be cl ose ly occupied seven years

.
,

of t h e b est part of his l ife As a resu lt he came in t o .

,

t h e b elief of U n iversal i s m .

I had n o idea of t his s e n t im e n t ” he said “ t ill I had , ,

be en g ra dually a n d in sen sibly led i n t o it by a lo n g an d

dili g en t co m pari n g of script ure w it h script ure For a .

w h ile I could n ot w it hout co n siderable difficul t y c on

, , ,

sult t h e sacred w rit i n g s on t his poin t un re st rain ed fro m ,

previously i m bibed sen t i men t s I t w a s w it h care an d .

pai n s t h at I brou g ht myself so far t o suspect t h e t rut h of

84 UNI VERS ALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

common doct r in es, as t o be abl e w it h t olerabl e freedom

of m in d t o in quire w h et h er t hi s h ad a just foun dat ion
i n th e w ord of God or n ot B u t w he n I ha d on ce dis
.

e n ga g ed mysel f fro m t h e in fl ue n ce of former n o ti on s ,

so as t o be able t o look i n t o t h e S cript u res w it h a r e adi

n ess t o receive w hat ever t hey shoul d t each for t ru t h it ,

w a s t ruly surpr i sin g t o m e t o fin d i n t he m such evide n t

”
t races of t his doc ri e
t n .

I n 17 6 2 he publis hed a serm on deli vered at th e ord i

n at io n of a m is s io n ary t o t h e M oha w k I n d i an s I t is .

e n t it le d All n at i on s blessed in Chri st ; an d con t a in s

some ca u t io u s hin t s in favor of t h e doct rin e o f Un iversal
S a l va t i on S u b se q ue n t ly he pu bli shed a w ork on t h e
.

Ben evol en ce o f the De it y co n ta in in g a f ew passages ,

”

on t h i s su bj ect To t hese t w o w orks he appen ded hi s

.

n am e . Tw o o t her an d more ope n avow a l s an d de fen ces

o f t he doct rin e w ere sen t ou t by h i m an on ymo u s l y Of .

on e of t hese Rev J oh n C larke D D h i s coll eag ue in a

’

. . .
, , , ,

n ot e t o his sermon a t t h e fun era l o f Dr Chan n ey Fe b

‘

. .
,

1 5 17 87 says
, ,

Of t h e umerous product ion s of Dr Ch au n cy t h e

n .
,

most l abored, an d in his O pin ion t h e most v alu ab le is a , .

w ork e n t it l e d ‘The S alvat io n of Al l M e n , publis hed in

’
,

L o n do n A D 1 7 84
, . This w as be g un early in life oft e n
. .
,

revi e w ed, an d co m pl e t ed at a t im e w hen t h e m e n t al

po w ers are most vig orous Before i t s publ icat ion it
.

un de rw en t a seve re exam in at ion fro m t hose w hose t he o

lo g i cal an d cr it ical kn o w led g e qualified t he m t o j ud g e of
such a w ork M an y est ee m ed i t a valuable ac qui sit io n t o
.

t h e reli gi ous w orl d A n d al l best o w ed t h e h ig hest en e o

.

m iu m s upo n t h e le arn in g an d i n g e n u it y of t h e aut hor .

The M on t hly Rev ie w ers als o speak very han dsom ely of, ,

t his pe rforman ce (p .
 T HE C ONGREGAT I ONALI sr s . 85

a let te r
In to Rev Dr. . Stil es , M a y 6 , 1 7 68 , Dr .

Chan n ey says
The result of my s t udyin g t h e S cript ur es w it h t h e
“

above me n t ion ed he lps is a larg e parcel of m at erials

-
,

fit t ed t o an sw er several desi gn s The m at erials f or on e .

desi g n I have pu t t o g e t he r an d t h ey h ave l ai d by i n a ,

fi n ishe d quart o volume for y ears This is w ri t t e n w it h .

t oo m uch fre e do m t o adm i t of a publicat io n i n t his coun

t ry S om e of m y frie n d s w h o have see n i t have d e si r ed
.

I w ould sen d it hom e for publicat io n an d t o h ave it ,

prin t e d w it h out a n am e I quest ion w het her it w ill ever .

s e e t h e li g ht t ill aft er m y deat h an d I a m n ot y e t de t er ,

m in ed w het h e r t o perm it i t s bei n g t he n pr i n t ed or t o ,

order it s bein g co mm it t e d t o t h e fl am es I t is a w ork .

t h at has cost m e m uch t h ou g ht a n d a g re at de a l of hard

” 1
labor I t is upo n a m ost i n t erest in g subject
. .

Whil e Dr Cha n n e y w as in t his s t at e of doubt as t o

.

w ha t dispos it io n he should make of t h e m an uscrip t of h i s

larger w ork he p u bli shed i n 1 7 82 h is ot her an on y m ous
, , ,

product io n a s m all pa m phlet e n t it led Salvat i o n for

, , ,

I t con t ain s a preface w h ich Dr Belk n ap

”
All M e n .
, .

at t ribute s t o Dr C larke Dr Ch au n cy s coll eag ue The .

, .
’
.

pamphl et con t ain s l it t l e except ext ract s from several

En gl ish Un i versa lis t w r it ers an d t h e express i on of dis ,

l i ke if n ot of con t emp t for Joh n M urray w h o is de

, , ,

scribed as a s t ran ger w h o has of hi mself assum ed t h e

charact er of a preacher I t w as w r i tt e n as it s fu ll .
,

t it le declares t o se t f or t h w hat has b ee n sa i d in favor

,

of t his subj ect by t h e pi ous an d l earn ed me n w h o “

have purposely w rit upo n it The pamph le t cl oses .

t hus

1
C oll e ct i on s of t he M assach u se tt s H ist or ical S ocie t y . F ir st S e r ie s;
v ol . x .
, 1 80 9 , p 1 63 . .
86 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

It is said Upo n supposit io n of t h e tr u t h of u n i v e rs a l

,

s a l va ti on i t m ay y e t be i mp r o e r an d h u r tf u l t o ope n it
, p ,
’
as a S cript ure doct rin e t o t h e w orld To w hich I have
,
.

seen t h e proper an s w er i n t h ese w ords

‘
I t w ould be very e x tr a or di n a r y if se t t i n g a S cr ip tu r e ,

tr u t h i n i t s g e n ui n e li g ht should have a dan g erous t e n

de n cy .To s u pp ose such a t hin g w ould refl ect disho n or
upo n t h e r eve l a ti on of God If fi n a l u n i ve rs a l h app i n ess.
,

is a doctri ne of t h e g osp e l, w e n ee d n ot fear i t s in jur in g

m an ki n d if t h ey w ere brou g ht s i n ce r e l y an d u n ive rs a l l y
,

t o believe i t An d in deed all fear of t his kin d is foun ded

.
,

u l t i m a t e l y on m a n s w i s dom i n opposit io n t o t h e w is dom

’
,

of God w hich s t an ds in n eed of n o h u ma n a r t or con tr i

,

va n ce b ,
u t can w i t hout i t g uard m an ki n d ag ain st w icked
, ,

n ess an d m ake t he m g ood a n d fait hful subj ect s i n t h e

,

ki n g do m of rig ht eo u sn ess .
’

“ I shall o ly add as a co n clusio n of t h ese e x tr acts

n , ,

t hat if w e shall a ll before t h e co mple t io n of t h e sche me

, ,

of God be cro w n ed w it h i mm ort alit y a n d h on or w hat an

, ,

arg um e n t h ave w e for pat ie n ce co n t e n t m en t a n d an e n , ,

t ire resi g n at ion t o t h e divin e pleasure un der t h e n um e r ,

ous t rials of t his frail vain m ort al st at e An d h ow easily

, ,

recon cilable are t h e s ufi e ri n g s of t h e w or ld t o come w i t h

‘

t h e w isdo m an d g oo dn ess as w ell as just ice of God " ,

An d h ow absolut ely are all com plai n t s upon t his h ead

sile n ced an d refut ed " For if w e are brou g ht in t o be in g
e xp e ct a n ts of a b l ess e d i m m or t a l i ty an d upon a f ou n da ,

t ion t hat w ill n ot disappoi n t us w h y t he n should w e fin d ,

fault w i t h t hat dis cip l i n e ho wever s e ve r e w hich m ay in, , ,

t rue reaso n be m or a l l y con n ec t ed w it h t h e act u al e nj oy

,

m e n t of i t We are upo n t his plan of t hin g s i nfi

n i t e l y ob li g e d t o God an d ou ght t o l ove an d t h a n k
,

hi m for ou r bei n g n o t w it hs t an di n g all t hat w e may

,

be calle d t o p ass t hrou g h before w e a re received in t o

h i s p r e s e n ce a b ove Where is f u l n ess of j oy f or eve r
, (pp .

2 5,
 T HE C ON GRE G ATI ONALI S TS . 87

It i s qu it e li ke l y t hat t h e pu bli cat ion o f t h e pamph le t

w as in t h e w ay o f experi me n t t o de t erm in e w ha t w ou l d
b e t h e fat e o f hi s l arg er w ork shoul d it b e given t o t h e ,

publ ic .

If t h is w as th e case he w as n ot l o n g in suspen se ,

for Revs J oseph Eck ley Samue l M at her Timot hy

.
, ,

A lle n Samue l Hopk in s William Gordo n an d Pet er

, , ,

Thacher w armly a tt acked it in respo n s i ve pamph le t s .

M r Thacher says t hat he w as impe lled t o h is w ork by

.

h is Alarm at t he progress of t h e errors w hi ch he at

“

t e m pt s t o re f u te a n d a t t h e pat ro n ag e aff orded t hem

,

by some di s t in gu ished charact ers in ou r t heol og ical

w orl M at her dw ell s a t g rea t l e n gt h on t h e sig n ifi
ca n ce of t h e w ords ren dered everl ast in g an d forever ,

argui n g t ha t t hey den ot e ab sol ut e en d l essn ess .

Rev Dr Joh n C larke i n a publi shed Let ter t o Dr

. .
,
“
.

M a t her makes t h i s s t in g in g rep l y

,

H ow could you pret e n d t o arg ue t h e e n dl e ss pun ish

men t of t h e w icked from t h e applicat ion of t h e Hebre w
w ord yn ol a m or t h e Greek w ord a i on i os w he n you h ave
, ,

rep eat edly said i n privat e co n versat ion it could be i h

ferred from n eit her A m in is t er ought n ot t o have on e
se t of opi n io n s for t h e close t an d an o t her for t h e public
,

vie w What h e assert s amo n g his frien ds he ou g ht t o

. ,

mai n t ain ope n ly, or at least h e ought n ot t o co n t radict

, , ,

w hile t here are an y al ive t o de t ec t his i n discre t io n You .

have t reat ed an O ppo n en t very u n fairly t o ofl e r h im ar ,

u m e n t s w hich you k n ow h ave n o force i n t h e m an d

g , ,
”
w h ich you ha ve reject e d in privat e con versat io n .

Eck ley s pamph le t w a s an on ymous t h e w rit er s t y l

’
,

in g h i mse lf t h e Frie n d t o Trut h H i s arg umen t w as

“ ”
.

t ha t w hil e God desi red t h e sa lva t i o n o f a ll an d had ,

88 UNI VERS ALI S M I N A M ERI C A .

o ff ered sal vat io n t o a ll some w ou ld fail o f salvat io n ,

t hrough n on co m plia n ce w it h t h e co n d it i on s
- To t hi s .

Ch au n cy rep li ed

The ofl e r of sal vat io n bein g m a de t o a ll you argu e ,

t h e at on e m e n t , u p o n w hich t hat off er is g roun ded m ust be ,

comp l e t e an d u n iv er s a l That is as you exp la in yourself

.
, ,

in virt u e of t h e m erit s a n d deat h O f C hr is t , a ll m en are in

a s ol vabl e s ta te This is t h e t ru th bu t n ot t h e w h ole
.
,

t r ut h The deat h of our blessed S avi our re n dered t h e

.

s al vat io n of m an kin d n ot o n l y a possible t hi n g b u t act u ,

al ly s ecu re cl i t t o th e m i n e ve n t I n a sen se, w e are all .

j u s tifie d, r econ ci l e d an d s a v e d We are born i n t o t h e

,
.

w orld heirs of i mm ort alit y An d t h e part assi g n e d us i s

.

t o acquire such h abi t s an d i m prove i n such gr aces, as,

sh al l fit us for t h e j oy s of heave n at t h e resurrect ion day , .

Hen ce God i s st yle d t h e S aviour of all me n , especi ally

of t hose t h at be lieve I n co n seque n ce of t h e m erit s an d
.
’

sacrifice of Christ , e t ern al life is secure d t o every i n di

vidual ; t houg h be l i e ve r s o n ly w ill be firs t part akers of it .

Ot hers w h o die i n t heir si n s m ust suffer t h e co n seque n c e s

,

of t h eir disobedie n ce an d be reduced t o a proper t e mper

,

of m in d b efore t hey c an be r a t ion a l l y an d i mmort a ll y

,

h app y B u t shal l t hey perish forever

. G od forb id .

The S aviour of m an kin d ( accordin g t o y ou r con fession )

die d for t h em in co mm o n w it h ot hers An at on emen t
, .

i s al re ady m ade for t h e i r sin s An d ‘t hrou g h t h e obedi .

e n ce of on e t h e free g if t hat h com e upon th e mt o ju st ifi

,

cat ion of l ife ’

The con seque n ce t herefore mus t be, t hat
.
, ,

soo n er or lat er the y also w ill reap t h e b en efit s of Christ s

,
’

m ediat orial un dert akin g .

“
This is st ill fu rt her con firm ed by t h e reason in g o f
S t Paul in t h e 5 t h chapt er of h i s e pist le t o t h e Ro m an s,
.

8 9 an d l o
, , t h verses B u t God co mm e n de t h his l ove
.
‘

t ow ar ds u s, i n t hat w hile w e w ere si n n ers Christ died ,

for us M u ch more t h en bei n g n ow just ified by his blood,

.
,
 T HE C ONGREGATI ONALI S rs . 89

we sh a ll be saved fro m w rat h t h rough him For if w hen .

,

w e w ere e n e m i e s w e w ere r e co n cil e d t o God by t h e de a th

,

of his S on m u ch m ore bein g reco n ciled w e shall be saved

, ,

by his life This reaso n i n g upon m y prin ciples is s t ro n g

.
’
, ,

an d co n clusiv e ; upo n y ou r s I ca n see n o force or per t i ,

n e n ce i n i t I n st e a d of arg uin g a f or t tor i as t h e ap ost le

.
/

i n t e n ded you w ould m ake h i m t rifl e in a m an n e r u n

, ,

w o r t h y so g reat a ch a r ac t er If I un ders t a n d h i m ri g ht
.
,

t h e i d e a he w ould co n v e y is t his : t h at i n as much as God

h at h t a ke n such a n e xt raordi n ary s t ep a s t o d eliver up
h i s o n ly be g o tt e n S on f or t h e s i n n e r a n d u n g od l y w e m ay ,

rely on it h e w ill n ot fail t o acco mplish his ben evolen t

purp os e s eve n t h eir fi n a l r e s tor a t ion t o favor a n d e ve r
, ,

l as ti n g s a l va t i on To illust r at e my m e an in g l e t m e refe r
.
,

y ou t o t h e 6 7 a n d 8t h verses
, , Havin g m e n t ion ed t h e
.

l ove of God t h e apost le e n deavors t o s e t fort h t h e ex ce e d

,

i n g g re a t n ess of i t fro m t his co n siderat ion t hat it w a s ,

w hile m e n w ere w it h ou t s t re n t h u n odl

g g y an d s i n n e rs , , ,

t hat Jesus C h ris t d ie d f or t h e m B u t if such w as t h e i r

.
,

m ort al st at e for w ho m he suff e red M U C H M O R E s h a l l t h e y ,

be s a ve d f r om w r a t h th r ou g h hi m I n V irt u e of t h e at o n
.

i n g blood of Chris t t hese s i n n e rs a n d u n g odl y are i n a

,

j u s tifi e d s t a t e Or as t h e apost le expresse s hi m self t h ese

.
, ,

e n e m i e s a r e r e con ci l e d t o God T h ey are all red u ced fro m

.

t h at st at e of w r a t h a n d con de mn a ti on t o w h ic h t h e y w ere
re duce d by t h e fall God t herefore bein g n ow reco n ciled
.
, ,

t o t hese s in n e r s e n e mi e s a n d u n g odl y t h e apost le w ould

, , ,

t each us t o ar g ue t hat t hey shall eve n tu a l l y be saved by

t h e deat h of his S on He w ould n ot have t ake n such
.

m e a sures f or t h e recovery of m an ki n d had he n ot i n

t e n d e d t o acco m plish t heir e ve r l a s t i n g s a l va ti on .

“
The app licat io n is obvious T h ere is a n at oneme n t .

f or s i n comp l e te a n d u n i ve r s a l ; a n d i n co n seque n ce of i t
t he f r e e g if t has com e u p on AL L M
j u s t ifica ti on a n d EN to
l if e . B u t w hat ever you u n ders t an d by t h is j u stific a ti on
wh t e her you in clude m ore or less i n it , m ost cert ain ly it
90 UNI VE RSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

follo w s from t he n ce t hat a l l m en w il l be fi n a l l y h app y .

F or t h ey a l l b y h is b
ei n g j us tifie d b l ood shal l M u ch M ore
,

be s a v e d f rom w r a t h t h r ou g h h i m I n ot h er w ords t h e
.
,

u n i ver s a l r ede m t ion w hic h

p , y o u all o w , mu s t issue i n t h e
”
u n iver s a l s a l va t ion , for w hich I con t e n d
(pp 10 .

I na sub se qu e n t edit i on of h i s pamph l et Eck l ey ,

pu b lished an appe n d ix in w hich he replied t hat hi s

,

revie w er made a m ist ake in suppos in g h i m t o ho l d t hat

God des ires t h e salvat i on of every in div i d u al o f th e
hu m an race in t h e sen se of its b e in g an ab sol u t e ch o ice
w it h God an d n ot s im p l y an o bj ec t in it se lf a reea bl e "
,
g
Rev John M u rray t hu s n o t i ces Dr Chau n cy s pamph
. .
’

l e t i h a le tt er t o Rev N oah Parker

, .

As for t h i s an o n ymous a dvocat e for w hat he call s t h e

s a l va t ion o
f a l l men , or s a l va t ion f or a ll men I pit y h im ,

fro m my soul ; I see he is e n deavorin g, by seaso n in g t h e

g ospel w it h a su fii ci e n t quan t it y of fire an d bri m st on e ,

t o re n d e r it qu i t e a savory dish for t h e self ri g ht eous -

phar i see He co mm e n ces by sacrificin g t o t h e de mo n of

.

popular pre j udice t h e obn oxious s t ran g er ; a g ood s te p

t h is t ow ard preparin g t h e reli g i ous w orl d for t h e recep
t ion of his n e w fa n g l ed g ospel or gl a d t idi n g s of dam n a
~
,

t ion . I t hin k your rem arks on t his w rit er very just ; bu t

h ow ign oran t does t his reaso n er appear of t h e se n t im e n t s
of t h e holy g ood m e n w ho m he in t roduces " N 0 m an on
eart h can be a g reat er e n e my t o t h e doct rin e of t h e res
t it u t ion of all t hi n g s t han w a s M r John Wesley ; y e t .

t h is is on e of t h e h oly m e n w h o t his w r it er affi rm s

, ,

w as an advocat e for U n iversal S al vat io n .

“
Ye t i n t his small pam phlet t here are a g reat m an y
,

g ood t hi n g s I t hin k t h e aut hor mean s w ell ; he sees

.

plai n ly t h e S cri pt u res t e ac h t ha t all me n are redeem ed ,

an d t h at co n seque n t ly all m e n m ust fin all y b e saved .

He also perceive s t h e di ff ere n ce bet w ee n t h e fol lo w ers

 T HE C ONGREG AT I ONALI S TS . 91

of t h e L am b i n t h e n arro w w ay an d t h e childre n of t his ,

w orld i n t h e broad w ay ; a n d t hat n ot o n ly i n t h e pres ,

e n t visible st at e b u t i n t h e fut u re i n visible s t a t e u n t il

, ,

t h e resur rec t ion of t h e j ust a n d t h e un j us t t hat t h e on e

e n t ers in t o rest by believi n g die t h in t h e L ord an d ,
-
,

riset h t o t h e resurrect ion of life Al l t h i s he p e rceives .

,

a n d all t his is sacre dly t r u e bu t he do t h n ot see t h at it

is t h e bl ood of J e s u s w h ich clean set h from a l l s i n a n d ,

t h at i t is n ot by a very lo n g se aso n of pain an d t or me n t

t h at t h e w re t ch e d race are fin ally brou g ht t o l ov e a n d ~

serve t heir God a n d S aviour He do e s n ot vie w Jesus .

C h rist as com plet i n g t h e dest ruct io n of t h e w orks of t h e

adversary Coul d t his poor soul have see n t h e doct rin e
.

held fort h in t h e parable of t h e t ares of t h e field he ,

w ould n ot have bee n obli g ed t o look b e yon d t h e e n d o f

t h e w or l d t o a lo n g seaso n — God o n ly kn o w s h ow
, ,

lon g ,
for t hat g lorious period w hen t h e kin g dom s
-

of t h e w orld shall becom e t h e kin g do m s of God an d his

” 1
C rist
h .

Dr . se n t t h e ma n uscript of h i s b ook t o Lon

Ch au n cy
don w here it w as pu bl ished in 1 7 84 I t w as an oct avo
, .

vo l um e of 40 6 pages an d w as en t it led “ The M ys t ery

, ,

h id from Ag es an d Ge n erat ion s m ade m an ifest by t h e ,

Gospel Revel at i on : or t h e Salva t i o n of Al l M e n t h e

-

g ra n d t h in g a i med at in t h e schem e of God as O pen ed ,

in t h e N e w Te s t a me n t w r i t in g s an d e n t rus t ed t o Jesus
-
,

Chri st t o brin g in t o eff ect .

The firs t a t t empt t o an s w er i t w as fro m t h e pe n of

Rev St ephe n John son of Lyme C t w h o pu blis hed
.
, , .
,

aga in st it in 1 7 86 a b ook of 35 9 pages e n t it l ed The , ,

E verlas t i n g P u n is hme n t of t h e U n g odly ill us t ra t ed a n d ,

ev in ced t o b e S cript ure Doct ri n e ; an d t he Sal vat io n

1 L e tt e rs an d S k e t c h e s of Se r mon s, by Joh n M u rra y ,
v ol . II .
p 94. .
92 UNI V ERSALI SM I N A M ERI CA .

o f Al l M as t aught i n severa l la t e Pu blica ti on s con

en , ,

f u te d . I t w as n ot a very s t ron g b ook an d prob a bly ,

had very sma ll c irculat i on an d in flue n ce Dr Chau n cy s . .

’

posit io n s w ere mi sst at ed prob ably from a misappre h e n

,

s io n of t hem an d t h e rep lies t o hi s argu men t s w ere

,

ch iefly composed of ex t ract s from o t her w rit in g s o f

Chau n cy publi shed b et w een 1 7 43 an d 1 7 7 6 .

I n c iden t all y t h e b ook w as al so at t acke d in an a n on y

mou s pamph let pu bl i shed in P rovi de n ce R I in 1 7 86 , . .
, ,

en ti t l ed N e w S en t imen t s diff eren t from an y y e t pu b

, ,

l ish e d upon t h e Doct r in e of Un iversa l S al va t i on as con

, ,

n ecte d w it h doct r in es g en era ll y approved b y Adel os

“ ” ”
, .

By far th e most able w ork aga in s t it w as from t he

pe n o f Dr J on a t han E d w ards pu blis hed in 1 7 90
.
, ,

t hree years a ft er Dr C h The Sal vat io n

“ ’
a u n c y s dea t h :
.

of Al l M en st rict ly exam in ed an d t h e En dl ess P u n i sh ,

men t o f t hose w h o d ie i mpe n it e n t argu ed an d de fen ded ,

ag a in s t t h e Obj ect ion s a n d Reaso n in g s o f t h e l at e Rev .

Severa l ed it io n s of t h i s have b ee n pu b
”
Dr Chau n cy
. .

l ish e d t h e la t er o n es re e n forced b y a n appe n d ix added

,
-

by Rev Dr Emmon s. . .

Dr Ch au n cy s v iew s a s t o t h e met hod o f sal vat i on

.
’

w ere pecu li arl y his ow n a n d save as t hey may h av e ,

in fluen ced some in h is ow n den om in at i on n ever had ,

an y co n si dera bl e f o ll ow in g am o n g b e li evers in u n iver sa l

sal vat i on Hen ce Dr E dw ards at t ack on t hem w as

. .
’

n ot co n s i dered b y U n i versal is t s at l ar e as b e in
g g an
a ttack on Un iversalis m as t hey he ld i t .

A year a ft er t h e publ ica t i on o f “ The M yst ery h i d

from Ages Dr Ch au n cy publ ished al so i n En gl an d
.
, ,

D i ssert at i o n s on t h e Fall an d it s Co n se q ue n ces t o ,

w h i ch h i s n ame w a s at t ached a n d t o it he ca u sed t o b e ,

 T HE CONG REGAT I ONALI ST S . 93

appen ded a n advert is eme n t of t h e form er w ork as ,

i
w r tt ne b y t h e au t hor of t h e fore oi
g ng D i sser a i
t t no s ”
.

2 J O N AT HAN M AY HE W w h o w a s di s t i n g ui shed t hroug h

.
,

his coll eg e course a n d g raduat ed w it h high hon ors at

,

Harvard in 1 7 44 b ecame past or of t h e West Church i n

,

Bost o n in 1 7 4 7 As early as 1 7 5 0 h e had made for

.

him sel f so great a n am e t hat t h e U n iversit y of Aber

deen S co t la n d co n ferred on him t h e degree of D D
, ,
. .

Ban croft i n h is H i s t ory of t h e U n it ed S t at es pays an

,
“
,

elo que n t t rib u t e t o M ay he w as an early an d u n w averin g

frie n d of t h e A merica n cause ; an d prob ably be w as
m ore i n fl ue n t ia l t han an y o t her m in i s t er in Am erica in
producin g t h e A m eri can Revolu t i on .

I n 1 7 5 5 he publ ished a vo l u m e of serm on s i n a n ot e ,

appe n ded t o w h ich he vig orously a tt acked t h e doc t rin e

of t he Trin it y an d avo w ed his b el ief in t h e u n i ty of
,

God .

I n t w o t han ksgivin g ser mon s preached an d pu bl ished

,

in 1 7 6 2 he as p l a in ly dec lares h is b e li ef in Un iversal

,

is m. The t hem e of t h e sermon s is Th e N a tu r e E xten t , , ,

a nd Pe rf ect i on
f the D ivi n e Goodn ess He t hus ex
o .

presses h im se lf
’
What shall w e say t o t h e doct ri n e of Go d s havi n g
reprobat ed a g re at proport io n of m an ki n d ; or fro m ,

e t ern it y dev ot ed t h e m i n his absolut e d e cree an d purpose

to et ern al t or m e n t s w i t hou t a n y respec t or re g ar d t o a n y

,

si n s of t heirs as t h e procuri n g a n d m erit orious cause of

t heir perdit io n ? A n d t h is at t h e sam e t i m e t o m ake
, ,

man ifest an d g lorify his J U S T I C E W h at ca n be said of

t his ; a n d h ow s h all it be reco n ciled w i t h t h e supposi
t ion t hat Go d s t e n der m ercies are over a ll his w orks
’

I w ill t ell you in a ve ry f e w w ords w hat I have t o say

, ,

t o it at prese n t An d t hat is firs t t hat if an y perso n s

.
, ,
94 UNI VERSA LI SM I N AM ERI CA .

really hold su ch a doct rin e n eit her an y man on eart h

,

n or a n g el i n heave n c an reco n cile i t w it h t h e g oodn ess

of God An d secon dly t hat I h ave n ot t h e leas t in clin a

.
,

t io n t o at t em pt a reco n ciliat ion of t hese doc tr in es ; b ei n g

persuaded t hat t hey are just as co n t rary as li ght an d
darkn e ss Christ an d Belial ; t hat on e of t hem is m ost
,

t rue an d scrip t ural , j oyful t o m an an d ho n orable t o God ; ,

a n d t h e o t he r m os t false an d un script ural horrible t o t h e ,

last de g ree t o al l m e n of an un depraved judgm en t an d ,

blasphem ous ag ain st t h e God of heaven an d eart h

N eit h er is i t possi ble for an y m an w h o really believes
w hat t h e S cript ures t each co n cer n i n g t h e g oodn e ss of '

God even t o t hin k of t his o t her doct rin e bu t w it h g reat

in dign at ion ” .

An d he cl oses th e sermon t hus

“
The con si derat ion of Go d s g oodn ess an d me rcy, ’

part icularly as man ifest ed i n t h e S cri pt ures in t h e r e ,

de mpt io n of t h e w orld by C h rist n at ural ly sug g est s very

,

pleasin g hopes an d a g lorious prospect , w it h referen ce

,

t o t h e con clusio n or fin al result of t hat most w on derful

,

in t erposit ion of grace I t can n ot b e den ied t hat ever

.

si n ce t h e apost as y of our fir st paren t s t here have b een ,

an d st ill are som e t hi n g s of a dark an d g loo m y appear
,

an ce, w he n co n s idere d by t hem selves So mu ch folly .

,

superst i t io n an d w ickedn ess t here i s i n t h is presen t

,
'
‘

e v i l w orl d B u t w hen w e co n sider t h e decl a re d e n d of

’
.

Chri st s m an ifest at ion in t h e fl esh, t o gi ve his life a ran

’

s om for all an d t o dest roy t h e w orks of t h e d evil ; w he n

,

w e con sider t h e n umerous prophec i es con cern i n g t h e

dest ruct ion of sin an d deat h a n d t h e fut ure g lory of,

Chri st s ki n g dom O N E A RT H ; w hen w e co n sider t hat he

’

must rei g n t ill he hat h p u t a l l e n e mi es un der h i s feet ,

t h e last of w h i ch is de at h an d u n t il he h at h subdue d

a ll t hin g s t oh i mself ; w he n w e reflec t , t hat ac cordi n

g to
t h e apost le Paul, w here s i n has ab oun de d g race does
 T HE G
C O NG RE AT I O NALI ST S . 95

m uch m ore aboun d an d t h at t h e sam e creat ure (or cr e a

,

t ion ) w hich w as ori g i n ally m a de subj e ct t o van i t y is t o

be delive re d fro m t h e bo n dag e of corrupt ion in t o t h e
g lorious libe rt y of t h e chil dre n of God ; w he n w e c on
side r t h e parallel w h ich is in st it ut ed an d carrie d on by
t h e sam e apos t l e be t w ixt t h e first a n d secon d A dam i n ,

his e pist le t o t h e Ro man s an d his express assert io n in ,

an ot her t hat as i n Adam a l l die eve n so in Christ sh all

, ,

all be m ade alive bu t e v e ry m a n in h i s ow n or d e r in a

,

w ord w h e n w e duly co n sider t h at t h e re is a c e rt ai n r e s t i

,

t u t ion of a l l t h i n g s spoke n by t h e m ou t h of all t h e holy

,

proph et s sin ce t h e w orld be g an ; w hen w e duly co n sider

t h e s e t hi n g s I say li g ht an d com fort rise ou t of dark
, ,

n ess a n d sorro w .

An d w e m ay w it hout t h e least presum pt io n co n clude

, ,

i n g e n eral t hat i n t h e revolut ion of a g es som e t h i n g far

, ,

more g ran d i m p ort an t a n d g lorious t han an y t h in g

, ,

w h ich is vul g arly im a g i n e d shall act ually be t h e r e sult ,

of Ch rist s co min g dow n fro m heaven t o die on a cross

’
,

of his resurrect ion from t h e dead an d of his bein g ,

cro w n ed w it h g lory an d ho n or as L ord bot h of t h e de a d ,

an d t h e l i vi n g The w ord of God an d his m ercy en dure

.
, ,

forever ; n or w ill he leave an y t hin g w hich is t ruly his

w ork u n fi n ishe d As t h e heave n s are hi g he r t han t h e
‘
.

eart h sait h t h e L ord so are m y w ays hi g her t h an

,
’
,

your w ays an d my t h ough t s t han your t h ou gh t s M y

,
.

w ord t hat g oe t h fort h ou t of my m on t h shall n ot re t urn

, ,

un t o m e voi d bu t it shall acco m plish t hat w h ich I please ;

,

a n d i t shall prosper i n t h e t hi n g w hereu n t o I se n d i t

’
.

To co n clude t hen ; l e t us all youn g m e n an d m ai den s

, , ,

old m e n an d children love an d hon or ext ol a n d obey , ,

t h e God a n d Fat her of a l l w h ose t e n der m erci e s ar e over ,

all his w orks ; an d w h o has bee n so g racious an d boun t i

ful t o ourselves in part icular If w e si n cerely do t hus .
,

as beco m et h t h e children of t h e Hi g hes t w e shall in , ,

du e t i m e part ak e of his g oodn ess i n a far m ore g lo r ious

, ,
96 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

m an n er an d m easure t han w e eart hly house ca n in t h e

of t his t abern acle We shall doubt l e ss also have a far
.

m ore cl e ar di st in ct a n d perfect kn o w led g e t han w e can

,
.

p ossibly h ave at p rese n t of w hat is i n t e n ded i n so m e

appare n t ly g r an d a n d sublim e y e t difficult passag es i n ,

t h e sacre d oracles part icu larly t hat of John t h e Divin e

, ,

w it h w hich I close : An d e v e r y cr e a t u r e w hich is i n

h e a v e n a n d on t h e e a r t h a n d u n de r t h e e a r t h a n d such
, , ,

as are i n t h e s e a a n d a l l t h a t a r e i n t h e m heard I say

, ,

in g Blessi n g an d ho n or an d g lory an d po w e r be u n t o
, , , ,

H i m t hat sit t e t h on t h e t hro n e an d un t o t h e L am b ,

forever a n d ever (Re v v . .

Th i s w as a fearl ess ut t eran ce f or t hat day an d p lace ,

a n d s t an ds in m arked co n t ras t w i t h t h e t i m i di t y of

Ch au n cy w it h w ho m M ayhew w a s in t im a t e an d from
, ,

w ho m i t may n ot u n w i se l y b e supposed he rece i ved

, ,

h i s firs t hin t s con cern in g t h e fu ln ess of t h e revel at i on

o f t h e b roader hope I t sho w s a m an fearl ess t o adv o .

cat e w hat he felt t o b e t rut h n o matt er h ow g reat it s ,

u n popu larit y The serm on s w ere att acked b y Rev

. .

John C leavelan d an d defen ded b y M ayhe w H i s deat h

,
.

occurred short ly aft er t h is Had h i s lif e b een pro .

l on ged t here is n o dou b t t hat h e w ould have made

,

him self k n ow n as a heart y an d devo t ed advo cate o f

U n iversal Salvat i on .

3 JE REM Y B EL K N AP D D g radua t ed a t Harvard in

.
,
. .
,

1 7 6 2 an d for t w e l ve years pas t or o f t h e Federa l S t reet

,

Co n gregat i on al Church in Bost on has l e ft on record h i s ,

avo w al of b eli ef in U n i versalism H i s correspo n den ce .

has b een pu bl ished b y t h e M assach use t t s H is t ori cal

Soc i e t y an d i n it are le t t ers w hich passed b e t w ee n h i m
,

an d E b en ezer Hazard of Ph il ade l ph i a O n t h e pu bli ca

, .

t i o n o f C h au n cy s pam ph l e t on S a l vat i on for A l l

“ ’
 T HE C ONGREGATI ONALI STS . 97

M en ,
Belkn ap se n t a copy t o Hazard
1 7 82 , , w h o in

reply in q ui res w h o is t h e au t hor an d adds ,

If is un script ural I am t oo i gn oran t t o be able t o

it ,

see it I t hin k ho w ever it does ho n or t o t h e m ercy of

.
, ,
”
t h e Dei t y w it hou doi g i j ury t o Divi e just ice
t n ,
n n .

Dr Bel kn ap
.
,
in hi s rep ly says ,

desig n of em itt in g t his piece w as g ood bu t I am

T he ,

n ot al t o g et her pleased w it h i t s execut io n b ecause it ,

se em s t o be a n at t e m pt t o reco mm e nd t h e d oct rin e by t h e

force of hum an aut horit y How ever t h e t rut h of .
,

t h e case is t his : The doct ri n e of u n iv e rsal r e st it ut io n

has lon g bee n kept as a secret amon g learn ed me n .

M urray has published som e u n de n iabl e t rut hs co n cern i n g

it m ixe d w it h a jarg on of absurdit y ; a n d on e Wi n ches
,

t e r am o n g you has follo w ed his exa mp le As t o t h e .

doct ri n e i t self of w hich you d esire my opi n io n I fran kly

, ,

ow n t o you t hat I have for several years bee n g ro w i n g

,

in my acquai n t an ce w i t h i t an d my re g ard for it I .

w ished it m i g ht be t rue lo n g before I saw a n y just rea

son t o co n clude i t w as so B u t at pres e n t I do n ot .

see h ow t h e doct ri n e ca n be disproved if t h e S crip t ure ,

be allo w e d t o speak for it s e lf a n d t h e e xp ressio n s ,

t h e r ein used be un derst ood i n t h e ir n at u ral se n se w it h ,

ou t an y syst e m at ical or sy n odical co mm e n t s .

4
. JOS E P H H U NT I NGT ON D D w as a grad u at e of ,
. .
,

Yale Coll eg e in 1 7 6 2 He w a s ordain ed pas t or of t h e .

First Church in Coven t ry Con n in 1 7 6 3 an d remai n ed , , ,

past or t ill hi s deat h in 1 7 9 4 ,

.

Aft er h is deat h t here w a s foun d amon g h i s papers a

man uscript volu m e e n t it l ed Calv in i sm Improved
,
“
,

w hi ch con t a i n s a vig orous defen ce of U n iversali s m on ,

a t heory w h i ch d iff ered in l itt l e or n o t h in g fro m Ol d

fash io n ed Cal vin ism excep t i n main t ai n in g t hat t h e
,

VOL . I . 7
98 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

At o n emen to f Chri s t w a s commen s u rat e n ot on ly in it s ,

n at ure bu t in it s desi g n
,
w it h t h e s in s o f t h e w hol e
,

human family .

The vo l ume w as publis hed t w o years a ft er hi s deat h ,

bu t had a lim it ed ci rcu la t i on ,

m uch th e g reat er
part of t h e edit ion says Dr , .

S prag ue “ havi n g bee n co n si g n e d t o t h e fl am es by on e

,

of his dau g ht ers a l ady of rare e x ce l l e ii ce w h o loved

, ,

si m ple C alvin ism better t han Calvin ism Im proved an d ,

’

w hose r e g ar d for O rt hodoxy s e e m s t o have bee n an over

m at ch eve n for her filial revere n ce .

He adds : I t has bee n su gg est ed t hat t h e book mi ght

have been w rit t e n as a mere t rial of pole mic s kill ; bu t
t h e preface put s it beyo n d a doubt t hat it con t ai n s his
deliberat e an d m at ured co n vict io n s .

On e of th e paragraphs in t h e in t roduct i on or pre f

ace i s ,

The aut hor h as oft en b ee n t oo precipit at e an d hast y

i n m an y t hi n g s ; bu t i n n o w ise so i n e m bracin g t h e doc
t r i n e here advan ced He is n ow passin g t h e m eridian of
.

life an d t his opin io n of t h e w ay of salvat io n is t h e r e

sul t of his m ost careful e n quiry from t h e days of h is
early yout h ” .

Ag a in he says
“
Wh at n ow appears is a sm all part of a syst e m of
Divin it y w hich t h e aut hor has bee n m edit at in g m ore
t han t w en ty y e a r s ” An d a g ain .
“
I have spe n t m ore
t han t w e n t y years i n t h e m ost careful readi n g an d at t e n
t ion t o e very t hin g relat in g t o t his subject ” .

The i n t roduct ion i s w it hou t dat e an d so w e have ,

n o mean s of k n o w in
g j us t w he n t h e w ork w as c om
pl e t e d Re v Dan i el Wal do speaks of i t as a common
'

. .
 THE CONG RE GAT I ONA LI STS . 99

t hin g for D r H u n t in gt on t o rai se obj ect ion s t o t he doc

.

t rin e of fu t ure pu n i shmen t profes sedl y t o se e h ow his

,
‘

b ret hren w oul d an s w er t hem an d he adds

“
I presum e t h ere is n o doubt t hat hi s at t e n t io n h a d
lo n g been direct ed t o t h e subject t hough it w as probably ,

n ot t ill a very lat e period t hat his vie w s becam e fix e d .

Had h e lived a lit t le lo n g e r it is qui t e pro bable t hat he

,

w ould have open ly a n d dist in c t ly avo w e d t h em ” 1 .

Th e F ir st Pres byt ery of t h e East w ard pu bli shed a

b ook again s t Chau n cy s pam phlet en t it l ed Bat h K0 ]
’

, , ,

9 V o ice from t h e Wil dern ess b e in

.
g an hum bl e at t e m pt
,

t o support t h e s in k in g t ru t hs o f God ag ai n s t som e of

t h e pr in c ipa l errors ragi n g a t t h i s ti me
”
I n t h e preface .

w e are t ol d t hat t h e

“
l ow st at e of reli gion an d t h e aw ful fl oods of error in
, ,

du ce d t h e First Pre sbyt ery of t h e E ast w ard, in sessio n a t

‘ ’

Wi n dham [ Co n n ] M ay 2 1 1 7 83 t o appoin t ” a co mm it
, , ,

t e e t o bri n g in a drau g ht of a t est im on y ’ a gai n st t h e se

ev ils ; an d t hey w ere S peciall y dire ct e d t o beg in w it h
Ori g e n ism (or t h e doct rin e of U n iversal S alvat io n ) as ,

lyin g n e a rest t h e root of all t h e i m piet y an d w icke dn ess

”
n ow leadin g t h e fas hio n i n plac es of public resor t .

So o f a t ot al o f 3 60 pag es 2 2 2 are de vo t ed t o
ou t ,

Un iversali sm The sp ir it of t h e w ho l e may b e j udg ed

.

by t h e man n er in w h ich t h e s u bj ec t w as in t roduced :

The fir st card ever played in t h e g ame of cat ch i n g
souls i n t his sn are w as by t h e doct rin e of Un iv e rsal S a l
vat ion The t r ut h of t h e t hr eat e n in g w hich God him self
.

h ad expressly delivered i n Para dise t he dest royer dare d , ,

i n t h e s ame P aradise as exp ressly t o de n y

,
‘
Ye shall .

n ot surely die, t houg h Go d has said you shal l, w as t h e

’

1 A n n al s of t h e Am e r ican P u l p it , vol . i p 606

. . .
10 0 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

first sermon on t his subject it w as deli vered by th e orig

in al aut h or of t h e doct rin e (p .

All udin g t o M urray as a zeal ous d is ci p l e o f th e Rel lys ,

t h e w rit er adds

“
It is tr ue t hat t h e S ocin ian form of t his opin i on had
st olen a pas sag e i n t o t h is coun t ry lo n g before t h e arri val
of t h e it i n eran t last m e n t ion ed S om e church records .
,

w it hin fort y m iles of Bos t o n c a n sho w t hat it w as n ot

,

first im port ed by hi m An d i t is roun dly assert ed by

.

m an y t hat n o t hin g bu t a st ock of Dr Burn e t s hon est y

’
.

has preve n t ed it s bein g fairly open ed up t o t h e w orld ,

un der t h e s an ct ion of t h e n am e of an ot her Doct or t hirty ,

years ag o Whet her t h e success of t h e t raveller men

.

t ion e d ab ove aw ake n ed a j ealousy t hat t h e ho n or of so

i mport an t a discovery i n t heolo g y should be carr i ed off
by an illit erat e s t ran g er or w he t h e r t h e g reat fert ilit y of
,

t h e prese n t aera i n t h e i n ve n t io n of i m proveme n t s in all

depart men t s of l earn in g an d scien ce st un g t h e divin es
n ow on t h e s t ag e t o e m ulat io n w e list n ot t o e n qui re, .

On e t h in g i s becom e cert ain t hat n o soo n er did t h e

,

aut hor of a pa mphlet calle d S alvat io n f or all M e n gi ve

‘ ’

t h e w ord t ha n g reat w as t h e m ult it u d e of t h e preachers

,

t hat sud de n l y rose u p i n al m ost eve r y quart er, a n d pu b

l ish e d i t
. An d if t h e best a ccoun t s w e ca n obt ain de
,

serve credit t hi s doct rin e ri n g s from so m an y pulpit s

,

t hrou g h t h e lan d al re a dy t hat every m i n is t er of t h e gos

,

pel w h o does n ot w ish it t o becom e un iversally t aug ht

a n d received i s n ow called on as he t e n ders t h e cause of
,

God an d t h e bes t i n t erest s of souls t o stan d fort h an d ,

ope n ly disavo w it (p p 186 .

,

I t w ou l d b e in t eres t in g if
coul d k n o w w h o t hese
we

perso n s w e re w h o w ere advocat in g Un iversali sm “ from

so ma n y pu l p it s ab out t h is t i me bu t s u ch in format i on ,

i s den ied us We may b e sure ho w ever t hat t he

.
, ,
 T HE C ONG RE GATI ONALI S T S . 101

a u thor o f Bat h Ko l did n ot exaggera te in say in g t hat

“

th e doc t rin es o f U n i versa li sm w ere ga in in g g rou n d an d

,

w ere espec i a ll y d i s t ur bin g some of t h e Presb y terian

con g regat ion s.

The Sy n od o f N e w York an d Ph il adelphi a took t he

foll ow in g act ion in 1 7 87
Whe re a s th e d oct rin e of Un ivers al S alvat ion an d of
t h e fin i t e dur at ion of h ell t orm e n t s has bee n propag at e d
by sun dry person s w ho l ive in th e Un it ed St at es of
America, an d th e people un d er ou r care may possibly ,

from t heir occasi o n al co n versat io n w it h th e propag at ors

of such a dan g erous O pin io n be in fect ed by t h e doct rin e ;
,

t h e S y n od t ake t his opport u n it y t o declare t heir u t t er

abhorren ce of such doct rin es as t hey apprehe nd t o be
,

subversive of t h e fun dame n t al p ri n ciples of re li g ion an d

moralit y ; an d t herefore ear n est ly recommen d it t o al l
t h e ir Presby t erie s a n d m e m bers t o be w at chf u l upon t his
subject, an d t o g u ard ag ain st t h e int roduct io n of such
t e n e t s amo n g our people ”
.

Five years l ate r act ion w a s t aken w h i ch evi n ced t hat

,

th e k n o w l edg e an d b eli e f of Un i versali sm h ad ex t e n ded

far beyon d t h e N e w E n gl an d St at es .

A quest io n from t h e Syn od of t h e Caroli n as w a s in

t rodu ce d t hrou g h t h e Comm itt ee of Bills an d O vert ur e s ,

w hich w as as follo w s ; viz Ar e t hey w h o p ublicly p r o

.
,
‘

fess a belief in t h e doct rin e of t h e Un iversal an d ac t ual

Salvat ion of t h e w hole hum an race or of t h e falle n an g els
, ,

or bot h, t hroug h t h e mediat ion of Christ t o be adm it t e d

,

t o t h e seali n g ordi n an ces of t h e g ospel ? The Asse m ’

bly det erm i n ed that such perso n s sh ould n ot b e ad

mitt e d ” (1 7 92 Vol i p
. . . . .

T w o years l a t er t ha n t h i s
102 u NI VE RSALI SM
-
I N AM ERI CA .

a con siderat i o n of Dr M cC s le t t er w as resu med . .

’
.

O n t he firs t proposit ion in t h e let t e r reque s t in g a c on s id ,

c rat ion of t h e se n t e n ce o f t h e G e n eral A sse m bly resp e ct

i n g t h e doc t ri n e of U n iversal S alva t io n passed at Carlisle ,

i n 1 7 92 t h e A sse m bly u n a n i mou s l y a greed t o adhere t o

,

it s aforesaid decisio n ( 1 7 9 4 V ol i p . . . . .

’
Of course it is n ot supposed t hat Dr Ch au n cy s pam .

ph l et or a n y t h in g proceed in g d irec t ly fro m it w holl y

, ,

accoun t s for t his spread of Un iversalism We shall see .

,

a t some fu t ure t i me w hat o t her i n flue n ces an d ag e n ci es

,

w ere at w ork ; bu t it i s o b v i ous t ha t it m ade a great

st i r an d w as in fluen t ial in some e m in en t c ircles

,
.

A s in g ul ar coin c iden ce w as aff orded n ear t h e cl ose of

t h e l as t ce n t ury i n f our ad j oi n in g t o w n s in Wes t ern
N e w Hampsh ire five O rt hodox cle rgymen p as t ors of
, ,

four C on g regat i on a l churches b eco m in g Un iversalist s , ,

a n d all save on e of t hem b e in g d i sm i ssed for t he ir

heresy T homas Fessen de n of Wa lpo le ordain ed t here

.
, ,

i n 1 7 67 con t in ued pas t or t ill h i s dea t h in 1 81 3

,
In ,
.

1 80 4 h e pu b l i shed a vol um e e n t it l ed The S c i en ce of ,

San ct it y on t h e l 6 6t h pag e of w h i ch i s t h e fo ll ow
,

in g .

The rest it u t ion of all t o God an d heaven w ill be i n a

w ay con sis t e n t w it h all his di v i n e perfec t io n s he is a just
God a n d a S aviour All w ill be his w illi n g people i n t h e
.

day of his pow er a n d so me w ill be saved so a s by f ir e

, .

Whe n t h e S on delivers up t h e kin g do m an d is him self ,

subject t o t h e Fat her he w ill re t ire fro m g overn m e n t

, ,

a n d re t urn t o t h e s t at e an d for m of God h e w as i n before

his in carn at ion full of all t h e sat isfact ion a n d w it h all

, ,

t h e ho n or a n d g lory r esult i n g fro m his be n eficial w ork .

He w ill be as glorious i n g i vin g u p as in receivi n g t h e

kin gdo m .
 T HE CONGRE G ATI ONALI S TS . 103

The advocat es for e n dless s i n a n d m isery st ill c on

ti n n e God s cre at io n an d kin g do m divided an d deran g e d
’

God is n ot an d n ever c a n be all i n all accordin g t o t hem , ,

t o t h e w hole of it He en dures in h i s creat ion w h at is

.

n ot of his m akin g , an d w hat his so u l hat es an d abhors .

An usurpin g devil i s p aram oun t t o him i n t h e n um ber of

his subject s S o me of t h em say C h rist died o n ly f or a
.

f e w bu t all for w ho m he die d w ill be saved

, Ot he rs say .

he died for all, an d y e t fin ally w il l l ose most of his r e

dee m ed B u t n eit h er of t he m c an g ive a s at isfact ory
.

reason for t h e e n dless durat ion of sin an d mise ry n or ,

recon cile i t t o t h e ben evole n ce h olin ess w isdom an d , , ,

even j u st ice of God E n dl ess pun ishmen t can n ot be .

proved t o be con ducive t o God s g lory or t h e ben efit of ’

,

t h e ri gh t eous w h o are perfect e d by love an d n ot by fear

, ,

a n d co n fi r m ed in t heir happy con dit io n w it hout n eed of

Such a spect acl e of m isery alw ays before t he m w ho ,

issuin g fro m God t hey are alw ays an d ever w ill be boun d
, , ,

t o love .

Wh at h at h caused m an y t o den y t h e salvat io n of all

m e n is t h eir supposin g t h e g en eral judg men t e n ds t h e
M e di at or s rei gn an d t hat t h is life be i t lon g er or
’
, ,

s h ort e r is t h e onl y t i m e of m ercy t o t h e spirit s an d souls

,

God h at h m ade B u t t hese are sho w n t o be m ist akes by

.

m an y able w rit ers on t his subj e ct an d t o t hese t h e re ade r ,

is referre d ” .

Dr Davi s in hi s man uscri pt vol umes o f “ B iograph ica l

.
.

Ske t ches o f Con greg at io n al C l erg ymen i n N e w E n g

la n d ”
,says t hat Fessen den n ever w as suspect ed o f
heresy .

Rev Jaco b M an n ordain ed an d sett l ed at Al st ead in

.
,

1 7 82 w as , dis mi ss e d M ay 1 7 89 in con se q uen ce of his , ,

err on eous an d u n se t tl ed sen t ime n t s hav in g e m b raced ,

”

Un iversalism .
1 04 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

H is successor Sam ue l M ead orda in ed an d se tt led in

, ,

1 7 9 1 w as
,
dis mi ssed i n 1 7 97 on accou n t o f h i s u m
“
,

se t t led doct rin al v ie w s he hav i n g b eco m e a U n iversal

,
”

ist publi sh in g in 1 7 9 6 a pam ph le t e n t it l e d

, A Fa it h f u l ,

H in t on t h e F in al Reduct ion a n d Rest orat ion o f Sin

”
n ers .

Rev D a n Fost e r pas t or of t h e church in Charl es t ow n

.
, ,

b ecame a Un iversal ist an d publis hed a n a ble b ook in ,

revi ew o f Dr St ron g s En dless Pu n is hmen t Con s is t en t

.
’

w it h In fin it e Be n evo l en ce
”
.

Re v M r Ta ft o f Lan g don al s o b ecame a Un iversal

. .
, ,

is t ; an d Rev Perl ey How e in S u rry als o em b raced

.
, ,

Un iversali sm an d w as di smissed for havin g depart ed

,

from t h e fa it h I n Rock in gham V t separat ed from

.
, ,

Charl est o w n b y t he Con n ect i cu t Ri ver on l y Rev Samu e l ,

.

Wh it in g orda in ed an d se t t l ed in 1 7 7 3 b eca me a Un i
, ,

ve rs al ist an d w as d ism issed f or t ha t reaso n

,
.
 C HAP T E R II .

1 7 7 0 —1 7 7 8 .

JO HN M U RR A , HI S B I R Y TH A N D E A RL Y RELI G I O U S T RAI NI N HI S G . FRT

I S

T T T
C ON AC W I H U N I EX V E RS A L I S M . AM I N E S M R M A S O N ‘S RE
. V W
IE

OF R Y R
EL L . Y U H R R
EAD S R Y P E LL
’
S N I ON . EA S E LL RE A C H .
P Y F EX
RA ER UL U V AM I N A BT U
ION O F NI E RS A L I S M . E CO M ES A NI V ER
S A LI ST I X . T F
s E M TH T
C O M M UN I C A B ED RO M T H E E OD I S S. E RE A V E

M EN T E BAN D T M M R Y SY P T Y
A R RA S S M E N H P; S . R . EL L
’
S M A H AND EL

C A
OM ES TO I T V W W TH T
M E RI C A . P TT — E N ER IE I HOM AS O ER . H

n ew R Q T P E UES H SF T STo A
RE A C H
R . IS I RS E RM O N IN M E I CA .

P N W Y
RE A C H E S I N K I C T T Y E P Y E OR EX T
. T s ONS AN L M LO ED . EN

OF
'
F THE P BY
I E LD — P B
OC CU R
I ED Y P HIM . U LI S H E S A E LL AN AM
PH T LE V T G
. T I SI M S C T T
LO U C E S E R, ASS . H A RA C E RI S I CS OF HI S
P G
R E AC H I N T T D FF
AT T HI S M IM E T . I I C UL I ES AN D I SU N D E R S A ND
BY
I N G s O C C A S I ON E D C C G P Y C P
HIS O U RS E . H AN E OF OLI C . HA

L AI N R
OF I T HE B G L
HO D EV A
S LAN DY RI AD E . EA ES T HE RM .

O BT R F
AI NS S FF
EL I E GFO R T THE V T U E RE R S IN LO U C E S ER . I O L EN

O PP T O SI I ON TO W HI M .V T W
AN D H E I s P T A RN E D T o LEA E O N . OLI I

G
C AL C H A R G T ES AG G AI N S C TF T
HI M . E N E RA L R E E NE S
'
ER I I CA E.

P T
E C U LI A RI M M I ESY T OF GY H D T T
R . U RRA
’
S H E OL O . IS IS I NC ION

B TW
E S V T
E EN R
AL PT A TI ON D T ANDT ED E M I ON . HE IS I NC I ON SO M E
T R
I M E S I G N O R lv D N P K
. . D I EV D V
. R O AH AR ER . R . S AA C A IS . EV .

A D AM SST T R RE EC BR ER P
. TEV GY
. ALE I CH . E C UL I A R H EOLO OF

T HE L TT A ER .

OH N M URRAY w h o came t o Ameri ca in 1 7 7 0 did , ,

n ot seek t hese shores as a ff ord in g hi m a field for

mi ss i on ary Opera t i o n s bu t rat her t o l ose h im self in t h e

,

w il ds of t h e N e w Worl d a n d t o pass t h e re m a in der of ,

his days in o b scurit y Born in Al t on E n gl an d in .

, ,

1 7 4 1 of em i n e n t ly re lig ious pare n t s

,
his fa t her an ,

Episcopal ia n a n d h i s mot her a Presb yt er ia n an d b ot h ,

high Ca l vin i s t s he w as b rough t up in t h e mos t rig id

,

man n er u n der th e i n fluen ce of a hard t heol og y f re ,

q u en t ly experien cin g he says “ t h e ex t rem e of agon y , , ,

106 U NI VERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

t ort ured bysevere u n b en din g dis c iplin e of my

th e
fat her an d t h e t errify in g ap prehe n s ion s of w ha t I had
,

t o expec t from t h e God w h o creat ed me .

When a b out t w e l ve years of age t h e M et hod i st s ,

u n der t h e lead of John Wes ley a tt ract ed hi s a tt e n t io n,

.

H i s fat her w it hout givin g up h is Cal vin is t i c V i e w s

,

b ecame a m emb er an d cl ass leader o f t he ir soc ie t y an d

-
,

you n g M urray w a s made t h e cl ass l eader b y special -

,

appoin t m en t of J ohn Wes ley of a c l ass o f a b ou t fort y

,

b oys I n a f e w years he b ecame an earn est preacher

.
,

a n d su b se q ue n t l y hav in g m e t an d heard Rev Georg e

,
.

Whit e fiel d b ecame pron oun ced i n h i s advocacy of Cal

,

v i n i s t ic V i e w s For a w h il e t h e gay soc iet y in w hich

.
,

he moved m ade h i m in diff eren t t o re lig ious su bj ect s ;

bu t en t erin g an ew in t o church rel at i on s b y b ecomin g a
commun ican t a t Whi t e fie l d s Ta b ern acl e i n Lo n don he
’

, ,

reg ain ed h i s fa it h an d de v ot io n an d w as zeal ous in t he

,

d ischarg e of his re lig i ous dut i es .

H i s a t t en t i on w a s firs t call ed t o t h e su bj ect of U n i

v e r sa l is m b y a n appo in t men t m ade for him t o V i s it an d

en deavor t o reclaim a you n g w o m a n o f t h e Ta b ern acle

con greg at i on w h o had heard an d accep t ed t h e t each in g s
of Ja m es Relly a Un i versali st preacher o f Lon don
, .

Acco m pan ied by t w o or t hree of my Christ ian bre t h

re n,
”
he says “ I w e n t t o see t o co n verse w it h an d if
, , ,

n eed w ere ,
t o ad m on ish t his S i m ple w e ak bu t as w e , ,

h e re t ofore believed m erit orious fe m ale Fully p ersuaded

, .

t h at I could easily co n vi n ce her of her errors I e n t er ,

t a i n e d n o doubt respec t i n g t h e resul t of my un dert aki n g .

The youn g lady received us w i t h much kin dn ess a n d

con desce n sio n w hile as I g lan ced my eye upon her fin e
, ,

coun t en an ce beam in g w it h in t elli g en ce m in g lin g pit y

, ,
 JOHN M URRAY . 107

an d con t empt g rew i n my boso m Aft er t h e first ce re .

mon i e s w e S at for some t i m e sile n t At len g t h I dre w .

up a heavy sigh, an d ut t ered a path et i c se n t i me n t rela

t ive t o t h e depl orabl e con dit io n of t hose w h o live a n d
di e in un belief An d I con cluded a v iole n t declam at ion
.
,

by pron oun ci n g wi th g r e a t e a r n es tn ess, He t hat believet h

’
n ot sh al l be damn ed .

A n d pray sir ’ said t h e yo u n g lady, w i t h g reat

, ,

sw eet n ess pray sir w hat is t h e un bel iever damn ed

,
‘
, ,

for n ot believin g
What is he damn ed for n ot believ in g Why h e is ,

d a mn e d f or n ot be l i ev in g .
’

‘
B u t, my
dear S i r I asked w h at w as t hat w hi ch he ,

di d n ot belie ve for w hich he w as damn ed

Why for n ot believin g in Jesus Chri st t o be sure
, , .
’

Do you mean t o say t h at un believers are dam n ed for

n ot beli e vin g t here w as such a p erso n as Jesus C h rist 9

N O I do n ot ; a man m ay believe t here w as such a

‘
,

person an d y e t be dam n ed
, .
’

Wh at t he n , sir, must he beli eve i n order t o avoid

,

dam n at io n
Wh y he mu st beli eve t hat Jesus Chr i st is a comple t e
‘
,

Well suppose he w ere t o believe t hat Jesus Christ

,

w as t h e complet e Sa viour of o t hers w oul d t hi s be l ief ,

save h im
he must bel ieve t hat Jesus Christ is his com p le t e
N0 ,
S aviour E very i n di vidual m ust b elieve for h i m s e lf t h a t
.

comp le t e
’
J esu s Ch ris t is h is S a viou r .

Wh y , s ir, is Jesus Christ t h e S av iour of an y unbe

N o , m adam .
’

Wh y t he n should
, , an y u n be l i ever b elieve t hat Jesus
Christ is hi s S aviour if h e be n ot h is S avi ou r
“
I say h e i s n ot t h e
‘
S aviour of an y on e u n t il he
be lieves .
’
 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Then if Jesus be ,
of t h e u n be l ie ve r
n ot t h e S aviou r
un t il h e be l ie ve s t h e u n be l i e ve r is called upo n t o believe
,

a lie I t a pp ears t o m e S ir t hat Jesus is t h e co mplet e

.
, ,

S aviou r of u n b e l i e ve rs an d t hat u n believers are calle d

upo n t o believe t h e t rut h an d t hat by be l i e vi n g th ey a r e ,

s a ve d , in t h e i r ow n app re h e n s ion , sa v e d f r om a ll t h os e

dr e a df u l hich are co n seque n t upo n a st at e of

f e a rs w
co n scious con de mn at io n .
’

N O m a dam you are dr eadf ully I t rus t n ot fat ally

, , ,

m isled Jesus n ever w a s, n ever w i ll be t h e S avio u r of

.
,

an y u n believer
’
.

‘
Do you t hin k Jesus is your S aviour sir ,

I ho pe he is .
’

Were you al w a ys a believer sir ,

N o m adam , .
’

Then you w ere o n ce an un believer ; t hat is you o n ce ,

believed t hat Jesus Christ w as n ot your S aviour N ow . ,

as you say he n ever w as n or n ever w ill be t h e S aviour , ,

of an y u n be li e ve r as you w ere o n ce a n u n be l i e ve r he ,

n ever c an be your S aviour

’
.

He n ever w as m y S aviour t ill I believed .

’

D i d he n e ver die for you t ill you believed sir ,

Here I w a s e xt re mely e m barrassed an d m ost devout ly ,

w ishe d m yself ou t of her habi t at io n I s i g h ed bit t e rly .

,

expressed deep co mm iserat io n for t hose soul s w h o h a d

n o t hi n g b u t head kn o w l ed g e ; dre w ou t m
y w at ch di s
-
,

cov e r e d i t w as l a t e a n d recollect i n g an e n g ag e m e n t oh
, ,

served it Wa s t im e t o t ake leave .

“
I w as e xt rem ely m ort ified The youn g lady observed .

my co n fusio n bu t w as t oo g e n erous t o pursue her t r i

,

umph I arose t o depart ; t h e co m pan y arose she urg e d

.

us t o t arry — addressed each of us i n t h e lan g uag e of

'

kin d n ess Her coun t e n an ce see med t o w ear a rese m

.

blan ce of t h e heave n w hich she co n t e mp lat ed I t w as .

st am ped by ben ig n it y ; a n d w he n w e bade her adi e u she , ,

e n riche d us by her g ood w ishes .

 J OHN M URRA Y . 109

I suspect ed t hat my reli g ious bre t hren saw she h ad

t h e advan t a g e of m e ; an d I f e l t t hat her re m arks w ere
in de e d u n a n s w e r a bl e M y pride w as hurt an d I det er
.
,

m in e d t o ascert ai n t h e e xac t se n t i m e n t s of m y associat es

re spe ct in g t his in t ervie w Poor soul said I s h e is .
‘

,
’
,
‘

f ar g o n e i n error said t hey ; bu t she is

.
’ ‘
,

n o t w it h s t an di n g a very se n sible w o m an Ay ay ’
.
, , ,

t h ou g ht I t h ey have assuredly discovered t hat she had

,

prove d t oo m i g ht y for m e Yes said I sh e has a .

‘
,
’
,
‘

gre at deal of h e a d kn o w ledg e ; bu t y e t she m a y be a

-

l ost dam n ed soul

,
I hope n ot re t urn ed on e of my
.
’
,
’

frien ds ; she is a very g oo d youn g w om an

‘
I s aw .
’
,

an d i t w as w it h ext re m e ch ag rin t h at t h e resul t of t h is ,

visit had depreciat ed m e in t h e opin io n of my c omp an

ion s B u t I coul d o n ly ce n s ure a n d co n dem n sole m n ly
.
,

observi n g it w as bet t er n ot t o con verse w it h a n y of

,

t h os e apos t at es a n d i t w ould be judicious n ever t o asso

,

c iat e w it h t he m upo n a n y occasio n Fro m t h is period .

,

I myself car e fully avoi ded every U n iversalist an d m ost ,

” 1
cor d ia l l y di d I h a t e t h e m .

N ot lon g aft er t hi s a M r M ason a l ayman of qu it e .

,

high st an di n g w h o had charg e of a co n greg a t io n w h ich

,

me t for t h e purpose of e l uc idat in g diffi cult passa ges of

Scrip t ure soug h t an in t erv iew w it h h im a n d said
, ,

‘
My object in seekin g t o en ga g e you i n privat e is t o ,

request you w oul d t ake hom e w it h you a pam phlet I

h ave w rit t e n a g ai n s t Relly s “ Un io n ” I have lo n g ’
.

w o n d e red t hat so m e able servan t of our M as t er has n ot

t ake n up t his subjec t bu t as m y superi ors are sile n t I , ,

have been urg ed by a se n se of dut y t o m ake a s t an d an d ,

I have do n e all i n my po w er t o preven t t h e pern icious

t e n de n cy of t h is soul dest roy in g book -
.
’

“
Alt hou g h at t his period I had n e ver see n Relly s
, ,
’

1 L if e of M u rra y , e dit ion of 18 7 0 , pp 1 46 149 .

-
.
1 10 UNI VERS ALI S M m AM ERI C A .

Un ion , y e t m y heart rejoice d t hat M aso n t hi s great

’
,

an d g oo d man had un dert aken t o w rit e ag ain s t it , an d

, ,

fro m t h e abun dan ce of my heart , my mout h ove rflow e d

w it h t han kfu l n ess .

’
ha
Al l t t I reques t of you said M r M a so n ‘
is t o,
.
,

t ake t his m an uscr i pt ho m e w it h you an d keep i t t ill our ,

n ext m ee t i n g M ee t m e i n t his vest ry a lit t le b efore t he

.

usual t im e Read it I e n t reat you, carefully, an d favor

.
,

me w it h your un b ias sed se n t ime n t s I w as el at ed by .

’

t h e hon or don e me an d I evin ced m uch ast o n ish m en t at

,

t h e co n fide n ce reposed in m e B u t he w as pleased t o .

e xpress a h i g h opin ion of my jud g me n t abilit i es an d , ,

g oodn ess of heart , an d he be g g ed leave t o avail himself

of t hose qualit ies w it h w hich h i s fan cy h a d i n ves t ed me .

I t ook t h e m an uscript hom e peru sed it c arefully an d , ,

w i t h m u ch pleasure un t il I came t o a pa ssa g e at w hi ch

,

I w as con st rain ed t o pause p a i nf u ll y to p a u s e M r Relly

, . .

h as sa id speakin g of t h e record w hich G od g ave of his

,

S on Th is l if e i s i n his S on , an d h e t h a t be l i ev e t h n ot t h is
ma ke t h God
’
r e cor d a. From w he n ce in ferred M r
li a r .
, .

Relly it is plain t hat God hat h gi ven t h is et ern al l ife

,
‘

i n t h e Son t o u n b e l i ever s as fully as t o b elievers e ls e t h e

, ,

unb e l ie ve r could n ot b y his u n b e l i ef ma k e God a l i a r

’
.

‘
Thi s sai d M r M ason , p a n n i n g u p on t h e a u t h or s n a me
,
’
.
’
,
‘
is j ust as clear as t hat t his w rit er is an I r is h B ish op I .
’

w a s gri eved t o observe t hat M r M ason could say n o more .

upon a subject so m o men t ous N or could I forbear all o w .

i n g m ore t han I w is h ed t o allow t o th e reason i n g of M r .

Rell y M ost devout ly did I lam e n t t hat t h e advan t age

.

i n arg u me n t di d n ot rest w it h my ad m ired frie n d, M aso n ;

a n d I w as especially desirous t hat t hi s last ar g um e n t

should have bee n com ple t ely con fut ed I w as posit ive .

t h a t God n e ver g ave e t e rn a l l if e t o a n y u n b e l ie ver ; an d

y e t I w as perplexed t o decide h ow if God h a d n ot g i ve n ,

l if e to u n b e l i e ve r s , t hey could possib ly m a k e God a l i a r

by b e l ie vi n g t h a t h e h a d n ot M y m in d w as in cess an tly
.
 J OHN M URRAY . 111

e xercised an d g reat l y em barrassed upon t his quest ion .

Wh at is it t o m ake an y on e a liar bu t t o den y t h e t r ut h ,

of w hat he has said B u t if God had n o w here said he

h ad give n life t o u n be l ie ve rs h ow coul d t h e u n b e l i e ve r
,

ma k e God a l ia r ? The st ron g er t his argu m e n t see m e d

in favo r of t h e g race an d love of God t h e more dis t ressed ,

a n d un happy I becam e ; a n d m os t earn es t ly did I w is h

t h at M r M ason s pa mphle t m i g ht co n t ai n som et hin g t hat

’
.

w as m ore rat io n al m ore S cript ural t han a m er e , pun ; ,

t h at he mi g ht be able t o addu ce proof posit ive t h at t h e

g if t of God w hich is everlast in g life w as n ever g ive n t o

, ,

an y b ut be li e ve r s I w as in disput ably assur ed t hat I

.

myself w a s a believe r ; a n d ri g h t precious did I hold my

ex cl u s i ve proper t y in t h e S on of God .

At t h e appoin t ed t i m e I m e t M r M ason i n t h e vest ry . .

‘
Well sir I presume you h ave read my m an uscript
, ,
‘
I have s ir an d I have read it repe at edly
, , Well sir .
’
, ,

speak freely is t here an yt hin g in t h e man uscript w hich

,

you dislike — Why sir as you are so g ood as t o in

‘
, ,

du l ge m e w it h t h e liber t y of speaki n g, I w ill ve n t ure

t o poi n t ou t on e passag e w hich appears t o m e n ot s u fh
c i e n t l y clear Par don me sir bu t surely a rgu m en t
.
, , ,

esp ecia l l y u p on r e l ig iou s su bj e cts is p ref era bl e t o r id icu le , ,

to p a n n i n g u p on th e n a m e of a n a u t h or
’
A n d w here .
‘
,

pray is t h e object ion able pa rag r aph t o w hich you ad

,

vert ? I poi n t ed it ou t ; bu t on lookin g in his face I

’
, ,

observed h i s coun t e n an ce fallen ; it w as n o lo n g e r t ow ard

me . M r M ason quest io n ed m y jud gme n t an d n ever
.
,

aft e r w ard ho n ore d me by his at t e n t io n Ho w ever I st ill .

,

beli e ved M a son r ig h t a n d B e lly w r on g f or if Relly w a s

,

right t h e con clusio n w as un avoidable a l l men mu s t

, ,

fin a l l y be s a ve d B u t t his w a s ou t of t h e quest io n
. ,

utt e rly impossibl e Al l reli g i ous den o min at i o n s ag ree d

.

t o con de mn t his heresy t o con sider it as a damn able doc ,

tr in e ; an d w hat every reli g io u s den omi n at ion u n it ed t o

con demn must b e false .
1 12 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Thus alt hou g h I lost t h e favor of M r M aso n an d he

,
.
,

published his pamphlet precisely as it st ood w he n sub

m it t e d t o m y perusal y e t my revere n t ial re g ard for h im ,

w as n ot di m i n ished I w ished m ost cordially w ished .

, ,

success t o h is book a n d dest ruct ion t o t h e a u t hor ag ai n st

,

w h o m i t w as w rit t e n .

“
I n t his m an n er so m e m o n t hs rolled over my head ,
.

w h e n acco m pan y i n g my w ife on a visit t o her au n t aft e r

, ,

t h e usual cere mo n ies I repaired accordi n g t o c u s t o m t o , , ,

t h e bookcase an d t ur n i n g over m an y books an d p a mph

, ,

let s I at len gt h open ed on e t hat h a d bee n robbed of it s

,

t it lepag e ; bu t i n ru n n i n g it over I cam e t o t h e very

argu m e n t w hich had excit e d so m uch an xie t y i n my
boso m I t w a s t h e first m o m e n t I had ever see n a li n e
.

of M r Relly s w rit in g except in M r M aso n s pamphlet

.
’
, .
’
.

I w as m uch ast on ished a n d t u rn i n g t o M r s M urray I , , .

,

i n form ed her I held M r Relly s Un io n i n my han d I .

’
.

asked our un cle if I m i g ht pu t it i n my pocke t S urely .

,
’

sai d he an d keep it t here if you please ; I n ever read

,
‘
,

books of divin it y I kn o w n ot w hat t h e pam hl e t is n or

.
,
’
do I w ish t o k n ow As I p u t it in t o m y pocket my .
,

m i n d becam e alar m ed an d pert urbed I t w a s dan g erous ; .

i t w a s t am per in g w it h poiso n i t w a s like t aki n g fire i n t o

m y boso m I h ad be t t er t hro w it in t o t h e fl ames or
.
,

rest ore i t t o t h e bookcase S uch w as t h e co n fl ict in my .

boso m Ho w ever i n t h e full assuran ce t hat t h e e le ct

.
,

w er e saf e , an d t ha t a l t h ou
g h t h ey t ook an y de a dl y t hi n g i t
s h ou ld n ot h u rt t h e m,
read t h e U n io n ; I de cided t o ‘ ’

an d havi n g t hus m ade u

, p m y mi n d I expe rie n ced a de ,

g ree of i mpat ie n ce u n t il I reached ho m e w he n addressi n g , ,

t h e dear co mpan io n of m y yout h I said I have my ,

‘
, ,

dear jud g ed a n d co n de mn ed before I have heard ; bu t I

,

have n ow an opport un it y g ive n m e for deliberat e i n vest i

’ ’
g at io n B u t re t urn ed M rs M urray are w e suffi cie n t
.
, .
,
‘

of ourselves N 0 my love cert ain ly w e are n ot ; bu t , ,

God all g racious h at h said “ If an y lack w isdo m l e t

,
-
, , ,
 J OHN M URRAY . 1 13

t hem ask of God, w h o g ive t h liberally an d upbraide th

n ot .
”
M y heart is exercise d by fearful apprehe n s i o n s .

This mo me n t I dread t o read t h e n ext I am an xious t o ,

he ar w hat t h e aut hor c an say We wi ll t herefore l ay .

, ,

t h i s book before our God There is my love a God w h o

.
, , ,

is n ot far fro m every on e of us We ar e di rect ed t o make .

our re qu est s kn ow n un t o h i m for al l t hi n g s by su pplica ,

t ion an d prayer God hat h n ever y e t said t o an y S eek

.
,

ye my face in vain ”
We w ill t he n pray for his direct io n
.

an d cou n sel, an d w e m ay rest i n t h e assuran ce of o bt ai n

in g bot h Accordi n g ly w e e n t e r ed our close t, an d b ot h

.
’

of us for w e w ere bot h equ ally i n t eres t ed — pros t rat ed

-

oursel ves be fore God w i t h prayers a n d t ears beseechin g ,

hi m t h e God of m ercy t o look w it h pi t y on us

, , We .

w ere on t h e poi n t of at t e n di n g t o doct ri n es of w hich w e

w e re n ot w e could n ot be jud g es a n d w e earn es t ly sup

, , ,

plicat ed hi m t o lead us i n t o all t rut h If t h e volume .

before us con t ain ed t rut h w e e n t reat ed him t o sho w it t o

,

us an d t o in crease our fait h If on t h e o t her han d i t

, .
, ,

co n t ain ed falsehood w e beseeched God t o make it man i

,

fest t hat w e mig ht n ot be deceived N o poor cri min al

, .

ever prayed for life w he n un der se n t en ce of deat h w it h

, ,

gr eat er fe rvor of devo t io n t h an did my lab ori n g soul upo n

t his oc casion sup plicat e for t h e li g ht of life t o d i rect
my err in g st eps .

Aft er t hus w eepin g an d t hus supplicat in g w e open ed ,

t h e B i ble an d be g an t o read t his book l ook in g in t o t h e ,

Bibl e for t h e passag es t o w hich t h e w rit er referred We .

w e re ast on ished an d d e l i g ht ed a t t h e beaut y of t h e

Script ures t h us exhibit ed ,

I t see m ed as i f every s e n
.

t e n ce w as an apple of g old i n a pict ure of silver ; an d

st ill as w e proceeded t h e w on der w a s t h at so much
, ,

divi n e t rut h should be spoke n by so hei n ous a t ran s

gre ssor ; an d t his co n s i derat io n see med su gg es t ed as a
reason w h y I shoul d n ot co n t in ue readin g C an an yt hin g .

good proceed from such a charact er Would n ot t rut h

V OL 1 .. s
1 14 UNI VE RSALI SM m AM ERI C A .

have been revealed t o me n em in e n t for vi rt ue H ow i s

it possibl e discoveries so im port an t should n ever u n t il
n ow have bee n m ade an d n ow o n ly by t his m a n
, Ye t
’
I con s idered, God s w a ys w e r e i n t h e gr ea t de ep he w ould
’

sen d by w hom h e w ould sen d ; ch oosi n g t h e w ea k an d

ba s e t hin g s t o con foun d t h e m ig hty an d t h e st r on g t hat ,

n o flesh should
glory i n his prese n ce An d as my l ovely
.
,

w ife just l y obser ved I w as n ot sure all I heard of M r

, .

Re lly w as t rue ; t hat our S aviour had sai d t o his disciples ,

Th ey shall say al l m an n er of evil of you f a k e l y an d

t h e prese n t in st an ce may b e a cas e in poi n t You h ave .

‘

n o perso n al acquai n t an ce w it h M r Relly said she ; n or ’ ‘

.
,

do you kn ow t hat an y of t hose fro m w ho m you have

rece ived h i s cha ract er are b et t er in formed t h an yourself .

I t hin k i t dot h n ot become u s to sp e a k or be l i eve ev i l of

a n y m a n w it h ou t t h e st r on es t
p oss ibl e p r oof Al l t his ’
g .

w a s rat i o n al
. I f e l t i t s full force an d blushed for my
, ,

ow n cred u lit y I proceeded t o read The Un io n i n ‘ ’

. .

t rodu ce d m e t o m an y passag es of S cript ure w hi ch h a d

before escaped my o bservat io n A s t ude n t as I had
.

been of t h e S cript ures from t h e first daw n of my reason ,

I coul d n ot bu t w on der at myself I t urn e d t o M r . .

M ason s book a n d I discovered w an t of c an dor, an d a

’
,

ki n d of duplicit y w hich had n ot before me t m y vie w , an d

w hich perhaps w ould n ever have cau g ht m y at t en t io n

h ad I n ot read t h e U n ion .I saw t h e g ran d o bject n u

’

t ouched w hile Relly h ad clear ly poin t ed ou t t h e doct ri n es

,

of t h e g ospel Ye t t here w ere m an y pas sag es t hat I

.

could n ot un derst an d, an d I felt myself dist ressi n gly

embarrassed O n e m o me n t I w ished fro m my sou l I h ad
.

n ever see n t h e Un ion an d t h e n ext my heart w as e n

l ar g e d an d lift ed up by con siderat ion s w hich sw elled my

bosom t o ecst asy Thi s w as t h e s it uat ion of my min d
.

durin g man y succeedin g m o n t hs an d a larg e propor ,

t io n of my t i m e w as p assed i n readi n g a n d st udy i n g

t h e S cr i p t ures an d i n pray e r
,
. M y un ders t an din g w as
.
 J OHN M URRAY . 115

pressin g on t o n e w att a in men t s an d t h e prospect bri g ht ,

e n ed before m e I w a s g reat ly at t ached t o m y m i n ist er

.
,

M r Hit chi n s ; he w a s e m i n e n t i n h i s li n e a n d a m ost

.
,

pl e asin g preacher M r s M urray w a s i n t h e h abi t of

. .

t ak in g do w n his s e rm o n s i n short h an d We w e r e de -
.

li ght ed w it h t h e m an a n d accust o m ed t o co n sider hi m a

,

g e n ui n e g ospel preach e r I t h appe n ed t hat M r Hi t ch i n s

. .

t ook a jour n ey i n t o t h e coun t ry a n d w as abse n t on t h e ,

S abbat h day Co m e my dear said I our m i n ist er is

‘ ’
.
, , ,

ou t of t o w n ; l e t us avail ours e lv e s of t h e opport u n it y ,

“ ”
an d hear t h e w rit er of t h e U n ion Th is is a privile g e .

w h ich f e w w h o read books can have as au t h ors are g e n ,

e r all y n u m bere d w it h t h e de ad before t h e i r labors a r e

submit t ed t o t h e public e y e H e r co n s e n t w as y ielde d

.
’

t o my solicit at ion s ; bu t w e w ere t errified as w e p asse d

alon g i n t h e fear of m ee t i n g so m e Of ou r reli g ious bre t h
,

re n. Happ ily ho w ever w e reached t h e m e e t in g house

, ,
-

w it h out e n coun t eri n g a n y on e t o w ho m w e w ere k n o w n .

“
M r Relly h a d c h an g ed his p lace of w orship an d w e
.
,

w e re ast on ished t o O bs erve a s t rikin g p roof of t h e fal s e

h ood of t hose re port s w hich had reache d us N O coach es .

t hron g ed t h e st ree t n or surrou n ded t h e door of t hi s

,

m e e t i n g house ; t here w as n o v e s t i g e of g ran deur eit h er

-

w it h i n or w it hout The house h a d form e rly been occu

.

pie d by Q uakers There w er e n o seat s save a f e w

.

b e n ch es ; an d t h e pulpit w a s fram ed of a f e w rou g h

boards over w hich n o plan e h a d e ver passed T h e aud i
, .

e n c e correspo n de d w i t h t h e hous e They did n ot appear .

very reli g ious ; t h at is t hey w e re n ot m elan choly ; an d

,

I t herefore susp e ct ed t h ey h a d n ot m uch pie t y I at .

t e n de d t o everyt h i n g The hy mn w as g ood t h e prayer

.
,

e xcell e n t an d I w a s as t o n ished t o w i t n ess i n so b

, ad a

man so m uch appare n t devot io n f or s t ill I must con fess , ,

t h e prej u dices I had received fro m m y reli g ious frie n ds

we r e p revale n t i n m y m i n d M r Relly g ave ou t his . .

t e xt : E it her m ake t h e t ree g ood a n d it s fruit g ood or

‘
,
1 16 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

t he t ree corru pt an d t h e fru it corrupt ; for every t ree i s ’

k n o w n by it s fruit ; a g oo d t ree can n ot br in g fort h cor

rupt frui t , n eit her c an a corrupt t ree bri n g fort h g ood
fruit ’ I w as i mmeasurably surprised What , t houg ht
. .

I has t his man t o do w it h a passag e so cal culat e d t o con

,

d e m n himse l f ? B u t as he proceeded, every facult y of

,

my soul w as po w erfully seized a n d cap t ivat ed, a n d I w as

per fect ly amazed, w hile he explai n ed w h o w e w ere t o
u n derst an d by t h e g ood an d w h o by t h e ba d tre es He
, .

proved, beyon d co n t radict io n t hat a g ood tree cou l d n ot ,

bri n g fort h an y cor ru p t f r u it bu t t here w as n o man w ho

,

lived an d sin n e d n ot Al l m an k in d h ad corru pt e d t hem

.

selves ; t here w ere n on e t herefore good n o, n ot on e

, , .

N 0 m ore ma n s in ce t h e fall ha s bee n able t o keep

, ,

t h e comman dme n t s of God ; bu t da i ly dot h bre ak t he m,

i n t h ou g h t i n w or d in de ed
, , There w as, ho w ever, on e
.

g ood t r ee, JE SU S . He i n deed st an ds as t h e apple t ree

, ,
-

amo n g t h e t rees of t h e w ood He is t h at g ood tre e w h ich

.
,

c an n o t bri n g fort h corr u p t f r u i t U n der his shadow t he .

believer r e pose t h ; t h e fruit of t his t ree i s sw eet t o his

t ast e ; a n d t h e m att er of his t he m e con s t an t ly is Who m ,

h ave I i n heave n bu t t hee a n d t here i s n o n e upo n e art h

,

t hat I des ire b es i de t hee I w as co n st rain ed t o believe

’
.

t hat I ha d n ever un t il t his m om e n t heard t h e Redeemer

, ,

preac hed ; an d, as I said I at t en ded w it h my w hol e soul

,
.

I w as humbl ed ; I w as con f oun ded ; I saw cl early t hat I

had bee n all my life expect in g g ood f ru it from corrup t
t r e es g r ap es on t h orn s a n d f i g s on t his t l es
, ,
I su spect ed .

mysel f ; I h ad l ost my s ta n din g ; I w as un se tt l ed, per

t u rbe d, an d w re t ched A f e w in dividu al s w ho m I h ad
.

kn o w n at M r Whit e fie l d s t abern acle w ere amo n g M r

.
’
.

Relly s audi e n ce, an d I hear d t he m say, as t hey passed

’

ou t of t h e aisle O f t h e chu rch I w o n der h ow t h e phari

,
‘

sees w ould l ike our preacher I w ished t o hear M rs .

’
.

M u rray speak upo n t h e subject bu t w e passed on ,

w rapped i n co n t e mplat ion At len g t h, I broke sile n ce

.
 J OH N M URRAY . 1 17

‘
Well my dear w hat are your sen t ime n t s
, ,
‘
N ay , my
dear, w hat is you r Opi n ion 2 I n e ver heard t ru t h
‘ ’ ‘
,

u n adul t erat ed t rut h befor e S O sure as t here i s a G od

, .

i n heaven i f t h e S cript ures be t h e w ord of God, t h e

,

t est i mo n y t h i s day delivered is t h e t rut h of God I t is .

t he fir st co n sis t e n t sermon I h ave ever heard I reache d ’

.

h ome full of t his serm on ; t ook u p t h e Un io n read i t ,

’

w it h n e w pleas ure ; at t e n ded ag ai n a n d a g ai n upon M r .

B e lly an d w as m ore an d m ore ast on ished

, M r Hit ch i n s . .

ret urn ed home bu t as I con ceived very much chan ged

, , , ,

— more in co n sis t e n t t han ever N o my de ar ’ sai d my

.
, ,

w ife ,it i s you w ho are cha n g ed

‘
He preaches, as I ca n .

prove by my n ot es precisely t h e sam e ; y e t it is t ruly

,

surpri sin g t hat his mult iplied con t radict ion s have un t il
n ow passed w i t hout our observat ion said I ’
.
,

w hat are w e t o do C an w e i n f u t ure bear such in con

sist e n cie s n ow t hat w e are be tt er i n for m ed
, S uppose
w e keep our seat s as usual ; at t e n din g h o w ever on e half , ,
-

of every S abbat h t o t h e p r e a ch e r of Ch ris t J esu s On .

’

this w e i mmediat ely de t er m i n ed ; an d by t his expedi ,

e n t w e i m ag in ed w e
,
m i gh t be g rat ified by hearin g
th e t ru t h w it hout run n in g t h e risk of los i n g our repu
,

t at ion ; for w e w ell kn e w t hat as p r o f es s e d adheren t s of

,

M r Kell y w e could n o lon g er preserv e t hat sp ot les s f a me

.
,

we del ig hte d t o che r is h .

I n ow co mme n ced t h e readin g of t he S cript ures w it h

augmen t ed dil i g en ce The Bible w as i n deed a n e w b ook
.

t o me ; t h e ve i l w as t ake n from m y hea rt an d t h e w ord ,

of my God became ri g ht precious t o my soul M an y .

scriptu res t hat I had n ot k n o w n forcibly pressed u po n

my obse r vat ion ; an d m an y t hat un t il n ow I h ad n ot suf
f e re d mysel f t o believe St ill t h e doct r in e of e l e ct i on
.

dist ressed me U n fort un at ely I had con n ect ed t his doc

.
,

t rin e Of e l e cti on w it h t h e doct rin e of fin a l r ep r oba ti on

n ot co n siderin
g t hat alt hou gh t h e fi rs t w as i n dub i t ably
,

a Script ure doct ri n e t h e l a s t w a s n ot to be f ou n d i n n or

, ,
1 18 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A ,

c ou l d be supp ort e d I det ermin ed t o call

by, re ve l a t i on .

upo n an d con verse w it h M r Hit chin s on t his import an t .

subject I foun d h im i n his st udy e n co m passed about

.
,

w it h t h e w rit i n g s of g r eat me n I w ait upo n you sir ‘

.
, ,

for t h e purp ose of obt ain in g help The Arm i n i a n s sho w .

m e ma n y script ures w hich proclai m t h e u n iversalit y of

t h e at o n e m e n t I can n o t an s w er t he m What my de ar
. .
,

sir shall I d o — Why sir t h e doct ri n es of elect ion

,
‘
, ,

an d r e probat ion are doct ri n es w e are bou n d t o believe as

art icles of our fait h ; bu t I ca n say w it h t h e Rev M r . .

Hervey I n ever w ish t o t hin k of t he m except upo n my

,

k n e e s I n ever heard an y on e un dert ake t o explain

.

t he m w h o did n ot s t i ll furt her e m barrass t h e subject

,
.

On e Observat ion is ho w ever con clusive a n d i t n ever

, , ,

fail s effect ually t o silen ce t h e Arm in ian t hat if as t hey ,

affirm Ch ri s t J e su s di e d f or a ll m e n th e n a ssu r edl y a l l

, ,

m e n m u st be s a ve d be e t ern a l l y l ost f or
f or n o on e ca n

w h om th e Re de e m e r s h e d h i s p r e ci ou s bl ood such an eve n t

is i m possible N ow , as t h e Arm in ian s w ill n ot admit a
.

possibilit y t hat all w ill fi n ally be saved t h ey are t hus ,

easily co n foun ded This I t houg ht w as very g ood ; it

.
’
, ,

w a s clear as an y t es t i m o n y i n divin e revelat io n t hat

Ch r i st J e su s di ed f or a l l for t h e si n s Of t h e w hole w orld
, ,

for every m an e t c an d eve n M r Hit chi n s h ad declared

, . .

t h at e v ery on e f or w h om Ch r is t di e d m u s t fi n a l l y be s a ved .

This I t ook ho m e w it h me t o m y w ife S h e s a w t h e .

t rut h t hat w e w ere so w ell prep are d t o e m brace man i

f e s t e d eve n by t h e t es t i m o n y of i t s e n e m ies an d w e w ere ,

in expressibly an xious t o hear an d t o u n derst an d We .

n ow att e n ded public w orship n ot o n ly as a dut y c on

, ,

c e i v in g t hat w e t hus in creased a fu n d of ri g ht eous n ess ,

upo n w hich w e w e re t o draw in every exi g e n ce bu t it ,

becam e our p l e asu r e our con sol a t ion an d our hi g h e st en

, ,

j oy m en t We beg an t o feed upo n t h e tru t h a s i t is in

.

J e su s a n d every discovery w e m ade filled us w it h un ut

,

t e rabl e t ran sport I re g arded my frie n ds w it h i n cr e as in g

.
 J OHN M URRAY . 1 19

a fi ecti on ; an d I con ce i ve d,
if I ha d an
pp ortu n i ty
o of
con ve rs i n g w i t h t h e w h ol e w or l d, th e w h ol e w or ld w ou l d be
con v i n ce d I t m i g h t t rul y have b e e n sai d t hat w e h a d a
.

t ast e of h eav e n belo w .

“
I t w as s oo n w hispered i n t h e t abern acle t h at I had
freque n t ly been see n g oin g t o a n d co m in g fro m Relly s ’

m eet i n g " This alarm e d m an y a n d on e de ar frie n d con ,

verse d w it h m e in p r i va t e upo n t h e subject he ard w hat , ,

fro m t h e abun dan ce of m y heart my m out h w a s c on ,

st rain e d t o ut t er sm iled pit i e d m e an d b e gg ed I w ould

, , ,

n ot be t oo co mm u n icat ive l e st t h e busin e ss shou l d be ,

broug ht before t h e socie t y an d excom mun icat ion m i g ht ,

follo w I t han ked h im for his caut io n ; bu t as I h a d

.

con ve r s e d on l y w i t h h i m I h a d haz arde d n o t h in g I n a

, .

short t im e I w a s cit ed t o app ear before t h e societ y w or

shippin g in M r Wh it e fie l d s t abern acle I obey e d t h e
.
’
.

s umm o n s an d fou n d my s e lf i n t h e
,
m ids t of a very
gloomy com pan y all see min g ly i n g reat dis t ress
,
They .

sighed very bitt erly a n d at last g ave me t o un derst an d

,

t h at t hey had hear d I h a d b e co m e a n at t e n dan t upon

t
hat m o n st er Relly an d t hey w ished t o kn o w if t he ir
, ,

i n form at ion w as correct I requ e st ed I m i g ht be t old .

from w hom t h ey h a d t h eir in t elli g e n ce ; a n d t he y w ere

eviden t ly e m barrasse d by my quest i on St ill h ow eve r .
, ,

I in sist e d upon bein g co n fro n t e d w it h my ac cuser an d ,

t h ey at le n g t h co n se n t ed t o su m m o n h i m ; bu t I w as
n early pet rified w hen I lear n ed it w as t h e i d e n t ical fri e n d

w h o h ad p r iva t e l y con v er se d w i t h me, a nd w ho h a d p ri

va t e l y ca u t i on e d m e , t hat h a d
lod g ed t h e i n form at ion
ag ain st m e " Upo n t his frie n d I had calle d i n my w a y ,

t o t h e t abe rn acle c on fidi n g t o hi m m y si t uat io n

,
He .

said he had feared t h e even t ; he pit ied m e an d p rayed

w it h m e B u t he did n ot calculat e upo n bei n g con
.

fron t ed w it h me a n d his con fus io n w as t oo g re at t o

,

suffe r his att en dan ce I t w as t h e n referred t o m e : Was

.
‘

i t a fac t I had at t e n ded up on Relly

,
I h ad D id I .
‘
120 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

belie ve w hat I had h eard I an s w ered t hat I did ; an d

my t rial co mm e n ced They cou ld n ot prove I had vio
.

lat ed t hose art icles t o w h ich I had subscri be d I had i n .

,

n o poi n t of V ie w i n fri n g e d t h e co n t rac t by w hich I w as

,

boun d B u t t h ey app rehen ded if I con t i n ued t o appro

.
,

bat e Relly by my occasio n al at t en dan ce on his min ist ry ,

m y e x a m ple w ould becom e co n t ag ious ; excep t t herefore , .

I w oul d g ive t he m m y w ord t h at I w ould w holly aban do n

t his pern icious pract ice t hey mu st ho w ever u n w illin gly
, , ,

p r o n oun ce upon m e t h e sen t en ce of exco mm un icat i o n I .

refused t o bin d m yself by an y prom ise I assured t he m I .

w ould co n t i n ue t o hear a n d t o jud g e for m yself ; an d t hat

I held it my dut y t o re ceive t h e tru t h of G od w h e reve r
i t m i g ht be m an i fest e d B u t Relly holds t h e t rut h i n
.
‘

un ri g ht eousn ess I have n ot hin g t o do w it h hi s u n

.
’ ‘

ri g ht eousn ess my ow n co n duct is n ot m ore reprehe n sible

'
;

t han here t ofore They g ran t ed t his ; bu t t h e force of

.
’

exam ple w as freque n t ly irre sist ible an d if I w ere per ,

m it t e d t o follo w un ce n s u red m y ow n i n clin at io n ot hers

, , ,

m i g ht clai m t h e sam e i n dulg e n ce t o t h e ut t er perversio n ,

of t heir sou l s I t w a s t hen co n ceded i n my favor t hat

.
, ,

if I w ould con fi n e my sen t i m en t s t o my ow n bosom t hey ,

w ould con t i n ue m e a m e m ber of t h eir co mm un io n I .

refused t o accede t o t his proposal I w o u ld n ot be un der .

an obli g at io n t o re m ai n sile n t I m us t so O ft en as O p p or .
,

t u n it y m i g ht presen t co n sider myself as called upo n t o

,

advocat e t rut h The quest ion w as t hen p u t : S hould I

.

be co n sidered a m e m ber of t h e societ y upon m y ow n

” 1
t erm s An d it w a s los t by on l y t hree voices .

Hard l y had t h i s happy coup le en t ered upo n t h e j oys

of t hei r n e w fa it h w hen M rs M urray b ecame a c on
,
.

firm ed i n valid an d in a short t im e d ied Great ly

,
.

emb arrassed by debt s co n t ract ed i n seek in g h i s w ife s ’

res t orat i o n t o healt h M r M urray w as arrest ed b y hi s

,
.

1 L if e of M u rr a y
,
e dit i on of 1 87 0 , pp 1 5 1 —1 6 3
. .
 J OH N M URRAY . 121

credit ors bu t b y t h e ass i s t an ce o f h i s w ife s brot her

,
’

w as soo n re l eased Deeply crushed b y h i s b ereaveme n t

.
,

he embarked in b us in ess un t il he w as abl e t o d i scharge

all deb t s an d his pecun ia ry c ircumst a n ces w ere made
,

easy bu t his a fflict io n u n fitte d h i m for socia l en j oymen t ;

,

he had n o amb it ion for w orl dly ga in s bu t cheri shed t he ,

hope t hat h i s depart ure from l ife w o u l d n ot b e l o n g

delayed His form er re lig io u s associat es desert ed h i m
. ,

an d he had b u t on e ear t h l y fri e n d from w hose soc i e t y

he derived p leasure an d comfort Of h i m h e says .

This frie n d w as M r Jam es Relly t h e m an w h o had

.
,

be e n mad e a n in s t ru m e n t in t h e han d of God of leadin g

, ,

me i n t o an acquain t a n ce w it h t h e t rut h as it is i n Jesus .

Th is kin d frie n d oft e n visit e d m e ; an d in co n versin g

w it h h i m I foun d m y hea rt li g ht e n ed of i t s b urde n I .

could bett er bear t h e p it ile ss st orm t hat beat upo n me ,

w hen s t re n gt h e n e d by t h e exa m ple of t h i s son of sorro w .

We fr equen t ly co n versed up on t hin g s of th e kin gdom ,

an d M r B e ll y observin g my h ear t m uch w ar med an d eu

.
,

l arg e d by t hese subj ec t s urg ed me t o g o fo rt h an d make

,

men t ion of t h e lovi n g kin dn ess of G od -

N 0 n o I c on .
, ,
’

st an t l y replied it is n ot my de si gn a g ain t o st ep fort h

,
‘

in a pu blic charact er I have bee n a p romulgat or of

.

falsehood . An d w h y n ot
’ ‘
he w ould in t errupt a ,
’
,
‘

pro mul g ator of t rut h S urely you ow e t his a t on e me n t

t o t h e God w h o hat h irra diat ed your un derst a n di n g by
’
t h e light of his coun t en an ce B u t n o arg ume n t he made
.

use of w as sufficien t ly st ron g t o excit e i n my boso m a

sin gle w ish t h at I h a d eit he r i n clin at io n or c apabili t y for
a charact er so arduous ; my heart s desire w as t o pass ’

t hrough life u n h e a r d u n s e e n u n k n ow n t o a l l a s t h ou g h I
, , , ,

n e er h a d b
’
een I had an aversio n t o societ y ; an d si n ce
.
,

I coul d n ot be perm i t t e d t o leave t h e w o rld I w as solici

“

t ous t o re t i re from it s n oise a n d it s n o n se n se I w as, .

1 22 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

i n deed, a burden t o myself an d n o advan t ag e t o an y b ody

,

el se E very plac e every t hi n g serve d t o re n der me more

.
,

m iserable for t hey l e d m y m i n d t o t h e co n t e mplat i o n of

,

past sce n es — of scen es n ev e r m om t o re t urn S uch w as

,
.

t h e sit uat ion of m i n d w hen a t t h e house of on e of M r

, ,
.

Relly s hearers, I acc iden t all y me t a g en t lem an fro m

’

America .I l ist en ed w it h at t e n t ion t o his accou n t of t h e

coun t ry i n w hich he ha d so lo n g resided I w as ch arm ed .

w i t h his descript io n of i t s ext e n t i t s forest s it s lak es it s

, , ,

rivers, it s t o w n s it s i n h abit an t s t h e l i be rt y t hey e n

, ,

j oyed, an d th e peace an d ple n t y w hich t hey possessed .

I list e n ed t o every t hin g w it h ast on ishme n t ; an d I t urn ed

t o w ard t h e N e w Worl d my m os t arde n t w ishes I com .

mu n icat e d my desire t o visit A merica t o my mot her t o ,

my bret hre n I w a s ridicule d f or e n t e rt ai n in g a project

.

so chimerical What cross t h e At lan t ic ? For w hat pur

.
,

pose To w ho m w ould I g o What co u ld I do What

Obj ect coul d I have i n vie w I w a s u n able t o an sw er
an y of t hese ques t io n s I had n ot a s in gle acquai n t an ce
.

i n Am erica ; i n deed I h a d n o w ish t o make ac quain t an ce

,
.

I had n ot hi n g i n prospect bu t a ki n d Of n e g at ive hap

p i n e s s I d i d n ot m ean t o co mm e n ce a voyag e i n pursuit
.

of bliss, bu t t o avoi d if possible a par t of my mi sery .

M y m i n d for a c on siderable t im e lab ored w it h my pur

pose M an y di fficu l t ie s in t erposed I w oul d i n fi n it ely
. .

have preferred en t erin g t hat n arro w house w hich is ap

po i n t ed for all livin g ; bu t t his I w as n ot per mitt ed t o
do ; an d I co n ceived t o quit E n glan d an d t o ret ire t o
Am erica w as t h e n ext t hin g t o be des ired N i g ht s a n d .

days Of del iberat io n at len gt h con vi n ced my jud gme n t ,

an d I w as de t er m i n ed t o depart for t h e N e w World .

M y f e w frie n ds urg e d m e m os t earn es t ly t o l e t t he m

apply t o t hose w h o had co n n ect io n s in Am erica for l e t ,

t ers of i n t roduct ion or reco m m e n dat io n N O by n o .

,

mean s ; t his w ould m ost eff ect ually defeat my purpose .

I w ould rat her n ot g o t han g o t hus M y O bj ect w as t o .

 J OHN M URRAY .
123

cl ose my li fe in solit ude in t h e most comple t e ret ire ,

me n t ; an d w it h t hose vie w s I co mm en ced preparat io n s

” 1
f or my voyag e .

O n t h e t w e n t y fir s t of Ju ly 1 7 7 0 M r M urra y sa il ed
-
, ,
.

from G ra vesen d i n t h e brig Han d in —Han d , A ft er -

.
”

an u n eve n t fu l voyag e t hey arrived in P h il adel ph ia earl y

,

in Sep t emb er bu t fin d in g t h e n on i mport at io n ag ree

,
-

men t in force t here co n cl uded t o g o t o N e w York , ,

w here t h e ag reemen t h a d b ee n suspen ded t ha t t h e cap ,

t ain mi g ht be a bl e t o d is pose of his carg o M is u n de r .

s t an di n g t h e an sw er g ive n by t h e captain of a s l oop

w hi ch t hey spoke t hey kept i n a course w h i ch soon,

b rou ght t hem over a b ar in t o Cran berry In l et on t h e ,

N e w J ersey co as t w here t hey a t firs t feared t hey w ere

,

hopeless ly g rou n ded bu t by re m ov in g a part o f t h e,

cargo t o a sl oop t h e b rig w as ab le t o recross t h e bar at

,

the n ex t t urn o f t h e t ide ; bu t b efore t h e s l oop cou l d

foll ow head w in ds preven t ed As much Of th e cargo
,
-
.

t ran sferred t o t he s l oop w a s va l uab le M r M u rray had , .

,

at t h e so li c it a t i on of t h e cap ta in of t h e b rig rema i n ed ,

w it h th e s l oop I t w as n ow ascert a in ed t hat t h e s l oop

.

w as des ti t u t e o f provis ion s a n d so l ock in g up t h e doors , ,

an d hat ch M r M urray a n d t h e cre w w e n t on shore t o

, .

Ob t ain supp li es The res u lt M r M urray describ es be t

. .

t er t han an y on e el se coul d re la t e i t

I e
w nt w t i h t h e boat m en t o a t ave rn an d leavi n g , ,

t he m t here pursued a solit ary w alk t hrou g h t h e w oods

,
.
,

w hich see me d t o su rroun d t his plac e M y mi n d w as .

great ly a g it at ed I w as n ow i n t h e N e w World ; an d in
.

just such a part of t his N e w World as h ad appeared so

desirable in prospec t Here I w as as much alo n e as I .

1 L if e of M u rr a y , e di t ion of 18 7 0 , pp 1 86 , 1 87 .
.
124 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

could w i sh , an d my heart exclai med, Oh t ha t I ha d i n

t h is w il dern ess the l odg i n g p l a c e of a
p oor w a yf a ri n g ma n
-

s om e ca ve, so me g r ot, s om e p l a ce w h e r e I m ig ht fi n is h my
da ys i n ca l m r ep os e "
As t hus I passed alo n g t hus con t e mplat in g t hu s su p , ,

plicat i n g I un expect edly reache d a s mall l og house an d

,
-
,

sa w a g irl clean in g a fresh fish I re ques t ed she w ould .

sell it t o m e N O, sir, y ou w ill fin d a very great p le n t y

.

’
at t h e n ext house ; w e w an t his The n ext house
‘
t .
,

w hat t his
,
poi n t in g t o on e i n t h e w oods O h , n o sir .
, ,

t hat is a m ee t in g house
’
A m ee t in g house here i n t hese
-
.
-

w oo ds " I w as exceedin g ly s u r prised ‘

You m us t pas s .

t h e m eet in g house sir ; an d a li tt le w ay fart her on you

-
,

w ill see t h e o t her house w here you w il l fi n d fish e n ou g h

’
.
,

I w e n t forw ard I came t o t h e door t here w as in deed a

. .

larg e p ile of fish of various sort s an d at a l it t le di st an ce ,

st ood a t all man , roug h in appearan ce an d ev i de n t ly ad ,

v an c e d i n years
‘
Pray sir w ill you have t h e g ood n ess
.
, ,

t o sel l me on e Of t h ose fis h ? — N o s i r — That is ’ ‘

, .
’ ‘

st ran ge w he n you have so man y t o refuse me a sin gle

, ,

fish l ’
I di d n ot refuse you a fish, si r You are w e l .

co m e t o as m an y as you p leas e ; bu t I do n ot sell t his

art icle I do n ot sell fish sir I have t hem for t akin g up
.
,
.
,

an d you may O bt ai n t he m t h e sam e w ay I t han ke d h i m ’

. .

B u t said he w hat do you w an t of t hose fis h I in

’ ‘
, ,

form ed h i m t hat t h e m arin ers w h o belo n g ed t o t h e sloop ,

a t a dist an ce w ere at a t ave rn , a n d w ould b e g l a d if I ,

could procure t hem so m et hin g for su pper Well sir .

‘
, ,

I w ill sen d my man ov e r w it h t h e fish ; bu t y ou can t arry

here an d have som e dresse d for yourself ’ ‘N O sir it
, .
, ,

is proper I should see h ow t h ey are accomm odat ed .

’

‘
We l l, sir you shall do as you please ; bu t af t er supper
, , ,

I be g you w ould ret u rn an d t ake a bed w ith us ; you w ill ,

be be tt er pl eas ed here t h an at a t avern ’ I g rat efully .

t han ked h i m an d cheer f ully accept ed h i s ofie r

, I w as as .

t on ish e d to see so much g en ui n e polit e n ess an d urban i t y

 J OH N M URRAY . 1 25

un der so rough a for m bu t my ast o n ishm en t w a s

g re at ly i n creased on m y ret urn His roo m w as prepared .
,

h is fire bri g ht an d his h e art O pe n , Co m e said he .

‘
,
’
,

my frie n d I am g lad you h ave r e t ur n ed I have lon g ed

,
.

t o see you ; I have bee n expect in g you a lo n g t i m e I ’

.

w as p e r fect ly am azed Wh at do you m ean sir . I ,

‘

must g o on i n m y ow n w ay I a m a poor i g n o r an t m an
I n eit h er kn o w h ow t o re ad n or w rit e I w a s born i n .

t h ese w oo d s a n d m y fat her d i d n ot t hi n k proper t o t each

,

me my l e t t e rs I w orke d on t h e se g roun d s u n t il I be
.

came a m a n w h e n I w e n t coast in g voyag es fro m he n ce

,

t o N e w Yo r k I w a s t hen desi r ous O f beco m in g a h u s

.

ban d ; bu t i n g oin g t o N e w York I w a s pre ssed on board

, ,

a m a n of w ar a n d I w as t aken in A dm iral Warren s

- -
,
’ ’

ship t o Cape Bre t o n I n ev e r dran k a n y ru m so t h ey

.
,

s aved my al lo w an ce ; bu t I w ould n ot bear an affron t ,

so if an y of t h e O fficers st ru ck m e I st ruck t h em ag ain

bu t t h e ad m iral t ook m y part an d called m e his “ n e w ,

light m an ” Whe n w e re ach ed L ou isbourg I ra n aw ay

.
,

a n d t rav e lled barefoo t ed t h rou g h t h e cou n t r y a n d al m os t ,

n aked t o N e w York w h e re I w a s k n o w n , an d supplied ,

w it h clot hes an d m o n ey a n d soo n ret urn ed t o t his place , ,

w h e n I fo u n d my g irl m arried T h is ren dered m e very .

un happy bu t I recovered m y t ran quillit y a n d m arried

, ,

h e r s ist er I sat do w n t o w ork ; g ot forw ard very fast

.

con st ruct ed a s aw —mill ; possessed m yself O f t his far m ,

a n d five h un dre d acres O f adjoi n i n g lan d I e n t ered in t o .

n avi at io n becam e t h e o w n er of a sloop an d have g ot

g , ,

t og et h er a larg e est at e I am as I said un able eit her t o

.
, ,

w ri t e or read bu t I a m cap able of re fl ect io n

,
The sacred .

S cript ures have bee n oft e n read t o m e fro m w hich I ,

g at he r t hat t here is a g reat a n d g ood Bei n g t o w h o m w e ,

are i n d e bt ed for all w e e n joy I t is t his g reat a n d g oo d

.

Bein g w h o h at h preserved an d pro t ect e d m e t hroug h in

n u m erable dan g ers ; a n d as he had g iven m e a house of ,

mv ow n I co n ceived I could n ot do less t han t o open it t o

,
126 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM E RI CA .

the st ran ger l e t h im b e w h o h e w ould ; an d espec ial l y, if

,

a t ravel lin g m in ist er passed t his w ay he alw ays received ,

a n i n vi t at io n t o p u t up at m y house an d hold his m e e t ,

in g s here I co n t in ued t his pract ice for more t han seven

.

ye ars an d il l it erat e as I w as I use d t o co n verse w it h

, , ,

t he m an d w as fo n d of aski n g t hem quest ion s

,
They .

pron oun ced me an Odd m ort al declar in g t he m selves at a ,

loss w hat t o make O f m e ; w hile I con t in ued t o affirm t hat

I h ad bu t on e hope : I believed t hat Jesus Chris t suff ered
deat h for my t ran sg re ssio n s an d t his al o n e w as suffic ie n t
,

for me At l en gt h my w i fe g rew w e ary of havin g m eet

.

i n g s h eld i n her house an d I det ermin ed t o build a house

,

for t h e w orshi p of God .

I h ad n o ch ildren a n d I k new I w as beholde n t o

,

Alm i ghty God for every t h in g w hich I possessed ; an d it

seeme d ri ght I should ap p ropriat e a part of w hat he had
best o w ed for his service M y n ei ghbors o ffere d t he ir .

assist an ce B u t N O ” said I God has g ive n m e en ou gh

.
, ,

t o do t his w ork w it h out your aid an d as he has pu t it i n t o , ,

m y heart t o do , so w ill I do An d w h o ” it w as ask ed

.
, ,

w ill be your preacher I an sw ered God w ill sen d ,

me a preac her an d of a ve r y di fi e r e n t s t amp fro m t hose

,

w h o h ave heret ofore pre ached in my hous e The preach .

ers w e have h eard are perpet ual ly con t radict i n g th em .

selves ; bu t t hat God w h o has p u t it i n t o my heart t o

bui ld t h i s house w ill sen d on e w h o shall deliver un t o me
h i s ow n t rut h , — w h o shall speak O f Jesus Christ an d hi s
”
salvat io n . Whe n t h e hou se w as fin ished I received an ,

appl icat i on fro m t h e Bapt ist s ; an d I t old t hem if t hey

could make it appear t h at God Alm i ght y w as a Bapt ist ,

t h e buildi n g should b e t heirs at o n ce The Q uakers an d .

Pres byt eri an s received sim ilar an sw e rs N O, ”

said I .
,
“
as I firml y bel ieve t hat all man ki n d are equally de ar t o
A l m i g ht y G od t hey shall all be equally w elco m e t o
,

prea h c i n t his ouse hich I ave b uil t

h w h ”
M y n e i g hb ors .

assured me I n ever should see a pre acher w hose sen t i

 J OHN M U RRAY . 127

me n t s correspo n ded w it h my ow n ; bu t my un iform reply

w as t hat I assuredl y should
,
I e n ga g ed t h e first year .

w it h a m an w ho m I g reat ly disliked We part ed an d .

,

for so m e years w e have had n o st at ed m i n ist er M y .

frie n ds oft e n ask m e “ Where is t h e preacher of w hom

,
“
y ou spake An d my co s an t n t reply has bee n He ,

w ill by a n d by m a ke his appearan ce The mo m en t I .

be h el d your vessel on sh ore it see med as if a voice h ad ,

au dibly soun ded i n my ears “ There Po tt er i n t hat v e s , , ,

se l cast a w a y on t hat shore is t h e preacher you have ,

be e n so lo n g expect in g ” I heard t h e voice an d I be

.
,

li e v e d t h e report ; an d w h e n you came up t o m y door

an d a ske d for t h e fish t h e sam e voice see m e d t o repeat
, ,
“ Po er
tt t his is t h e m an t his is t h e person w ho m I have
, , ,

se n t t o preach in your h ouse "

“
I w as ast on ished imm easurably ast on ished at M r
, , .

Pott e r s n arrat ive ; bu t y e t I had n ot t h e s m alle st idea it

’

co u l d ever be realized I request e d t o kn o w w hat he

.

coul d discern i n my appearan ce w hich could lead h im t o

mist ake m e for a preacher What said he could I.
,
’
,
‘

discern w he n you w ere in t h e vessel t h at could i n duce

, ,

t his con clusion N O sir it is n ot w hat I s a w or s e e bu t

, , , ,

w h at I f e e l w hich pro duc e s i n m y m i n d a full co n vict ion

’
.
,

B u t m y dear sir you are dec e ived i n deed you are

, , ,

de c e ive d I n ev e r sh al l preach i n t his place n or a n y

.

w h ere e ls e
’
.

H ave you n ever preached C a n you say you have

n e ver preached

I can n ot ; bu t I n ever i n t e n d t o preach ag ain .

’

Has n ot God lift ed up t h e li ght of his coun t en an ce

upo n you Has he n ot show n you his t rut h
I t rust h e has .
’

A n d h ow dare you hide t his t rut h D O me n li g ht

a can dle t o p u t i t u n der a bushel ? If God has show n
you his salvat io n w h y should you n ot sh o w it t o your
,
.

fello w m en B u t I kn o w t hat you w ill I am sure God .

 1 28 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Al m i g h ty has se n t you t o us for t his purpose I am n ot .

’
de ceive d ; I am sure I a m n ot deceived .

I w a s t errifie d as t h e m a n t hus w e n t on ; a n d I be g an
t o fear t hat God w h o orders all t hi n g s accordi n g t o
,

t h e coun s e l of h i s ow n w ill had ordai n ed t hat t hus it ,

should be a n d my he art t re m ble d at t h e ide a I e n

,
.

de a v ore d ho w ever t o ban is h m y ow n fear s a n d t o sile n ce

, , ,

t h e w arm h eart ed m an by O bservi n g t ha t I w a s i n t h e

-
,

place O f a supercarg o ; t h at propert y t o a larg e am ou n t

had b e e n e n t rus t ed t o m y care ; a n d t hat t h e mo me n t
t h e w i n d chan g ed I w as u n der t h e m os t sole mn O bli ga
t io n s t o depart .

“ The
w i n d w ill n ever chan g e sir u n t il you h a ve , ,

d elivered t o us i n t hat m ee t i n g house a m essag e fro m

,
-
,

God .
’

S t ill I w as resolut ely de t erm i n ed n ever t o e n t er an y

pulpit as a preache r Ye t bein g re n dered t ruly un happy
.
,

I be gg ed I m i gh t be sho w n t o my bed He request e d I .

w ould pray w it h t he m if I had n o O bject io n ,

I ask e d .

hi m h ow he could s u ppose I h ad a n y object ion t o pray

in g. T h e Q uakers h e said sel do m prayed ; a n d t here
, ,

w ere o t he r s w h o visit ed h im Wh o w e re n ot i n t h e h abit

of prayi n g I n ever propose pray e r sir lest it shoul d

.
‘
, ,

n ot mee t w i t h t h e a
p probat io n of t h ose w it h w h o m I
sojourn ; bu t I am al w ays pl e ased w he n prayer is p ro
pos e d t o m e I praye d an d my hear t w a s g reat ly e n
.
’
,

l ar g e d a n d sof t e n ed Whe n w e part ed for t h e n ig ht my

.
,

ki n d host sole m n ly request ed t hat I w ould t hi n k of w hat

he had said Alas " he n eed n ot t o have m ad e t his re
. .

quest ; it w as i mpossible t o ban ish it fro m m y m in d .

Whe n I e n t ered m y cham ber an d shut t h e door I burst ,

'

i n t o t ear s I w ould have g ive n t h e w orld t hat I had

.

n ever left E n g lan d I felt as i f t h e h a n d of God w as i n

.

t h e eve n t s w hich had brou g h t m e t o t his place a n d I ,

praye d most arden t ly t hat God w ould assis t a n d di rect

me by his coun sel I pr e se n t ed myse lf before h i m as a
.
 J OHN M URRA Y .
129

man bow e d dow n a mel an choly out cast

by cala m it y ; ,

driven by repeat ed affl ict io n s of body an d of min d t o

seek refu g e in p r iva t e life ; t o se ek solit ude amid t h e
w ilds of A me rica Thou kn o w est said my oppressed
.
‘
,
’

spirit, t ho u kn o w est O L ord t h at if it had pleased t hee,

‘
, ,

I w ou ld have preferred deat h as t h e s afest an d most sur e

re t re at : bu t t hou hast n ot seen fit t o in dulg e my w ishes
i n t h is re spect I n t h y p rovide n ce t hou has t brou h t
g
.

me i n to t h is N e w World Th ou seest h ow I am oppresse d.

by sol ici t at ion s t o S peak un to t h e people t h e w ords of

lif e Thou kn ow est t hat I am n ot sufficie n t for t hese
.

t hi n g s Thou God of my fat hers t hou God of t h e str an

.
,

ge r look w i t h pi ty upon t h e poor lon ely w an derer n ow

, ,

before t hee O t hou t h at sitt est in t h e heave n s an d

.
,

rulest in t h e e art h an d w h o a s s u r e st us t hat a h air of

,

our head ca n n ot fal l un n ot iced by t h ee l — O t hou w h o

kin dl y direct es t us t hy poor d e pen de n t creat ures t o
, , ,

ackn ow ledg e t hee in all t heir w ays an d t o make t heir ,

re quest s kn ow n un t o t h ee i n every t i me of afflict ion ,

behold t hy poor depen dan t supplicat in g t hee for t hy ,

kin d direct io n an d prot ect ion " If t hou hast in dee d pu t it

in t o t h e h e art of t h y servan t t o d e m an d of me t h e m ean ,

e st an d w eakes t of all t o w hom t hou dids t ever g ive

pow er t o believe in t h e n am e of t h y S on t o declare un t o ,

h im an d t h e people of t h is p la ce t h e g ospel O f t hy g race ,

O God " in m ercy prepa re me prepare m e for so vas t an ,

un dert akin g an d l e t t h y presen ce be w ith me St re n g t he n

,
.

me , O L ord b y t h y mi g ht y S p ir it
,
An d i f it b e n ot t h y .

pleasure t hus t o e mp loy m e for t h ou, O God, w ilt sen d,

by w hom t hou w ilt sen d grac iously man ifes t t hy w ill

, ,

t hat so I may n ot by an y m ean s be dr a w n i n t o a s n are .

Thou art t h e simi e r s frien d ; t hou art t h e o n ly frien d I

’

have To t hee O t hou co mpassion at e Fat her of my

.
,

Spir it e n coura ed by t h
, g y gracious pro mi ses I m ake ap ,

plicat ion P it y oh pit y t h e d e st it ut e st ran ger ; leave m e

.
, ,

n ot I most ear n es t ly e n t reat t hee , t o my ow n d i rec t i o n

’
.
,

vor. I . 9
1 30 UNI V ERS A LI SM m AM E RI C A .

Thus di d I pray t hus did I w eep t hrou g h t h e g reat e r

, ,

part of t h e n ig ht ; dreadin g m ore t han deat h — eve n sup

posin g deat h an object of dr ead t h e t hou g ht of e n g ag i n g
as a public charact er On t h e on e han d I discovere d
.
,

t h at if t here be a rulin g Po w er a su p eri n t e n d in g Provi

,

den ce t h e accoun t g ive n by t h e ext raordi n ary m an un der

,

w hose roof I reposed evin ced i t s operat io n ; t hat if t h e ,

h e art of t h e creat ure be i n deed i n t h e h an d of t h e Cre at or ,

i t w as m an ifes t that God h a d disposed t h e heart of t his

m a n t o vie w m e as h i s m esse n g er se n t for t h e purp ose
,

of declarin g t h e coun sel of his peace t o his creat u res .

On t h e ot h e r h an d I recollect e d t hat t h e heart is deceit ful

,

above al l t hi n g s ; t hat t h e devices of t h e adversary are

m an ifold ; an d t hat had i t bee n t h e w ill of God t hat I
,

shoul d have beco m e a pro mu lg at or of t h e g ospel of his

g race he w ould have qualified m e for an object of such
,

i n fin it e m agn it ude If I t est ifie d of Jesu s accordi n g t o t h e

.

S cri pt u res I w ell kn e w upo n w hat I m ust calculat e t h e

,

cle r g y of all de n o m in at io n s w ould un it e t o oppose m e For .

I h a d n e ver m e t w it h an y in dividuals of t hat order eit her ,

i n t h e C h urch of Ro m e or else w here w h o w ere believers ,

of t h e g ospel t hat God preach ed un t o Abr aham t h at in ,

Chris t Jesus all t h e fa m ilies of t h e eart h sh ould be

blessed ; n or did t hey as f ar as I had kn o w n e mbrace
, ,

t h e m i n is t ry of reco n ciliat ion co m mit t ed u n t o t h e apost les ,

n a m ely t hat, God w a s i n Ch r is t r e con c il in g t h e w or ld

,

u n t o h i ms e lf n ot i m put in g u n t o t h e m t h e i r t respasses ;
’
; '

n or did t hey ack n o w led g e t h e r es t i t u t ion o

f a l l t h i n gs ,

t e s t ifi e d by a ll God
’
s h ol y p r op h e ts e ve r s i n ce t h e w or l d
be g a n .To t hese doct ri n es I supposed clergy m e n i n t his ,

as w ell as in t h e cou n t r y I had left un it ed in t heir oppo ,

s i t i on a n d, co n vi n ced t hat t here w ere n o e n e m ies i n t h e

w orld m ore po w erful t han t h e cler g y I t re m bled a t t h e ,

t houg ht of s t emm in g t h e full t ide of t heir displeasure .

I w as persuaded t hat people i n g e n eral bein g un der t h e ,

do m i n io n of t h e clerg y w ould hat e w here t hey hat ed an d

, ,
 J OHN M URRAY . 1 31

report w h at t hey report ed Acqu ain te d in some m easure .

w i t h hu m an n at ure an d w it h divi n e revelat ion I w as cer ,

t ain t hat if I appeare d i n t h e charact er of a re al disciple

of Christ J e su s — i f I dared t o decla re t h e w hole t ru t h
,

of God —all man n er of evil w oul d be said of m e ; an d

, ,

alt houg h it mig ht be f a ls e l y said w hile t h e in ve n tor of ,

t h e slan der w oul d be con sci ou s of i ts f a l s e h ood t h e major ,

i t y of t hose w h o he ard w ou l d yield i t credi t a n d I should ,

beco me t h e vict i m of t heir credul ity .

“ I kn e w h ow M r Relly had suffered in E n lan d an d

.
g ,

t h e apos t les in Jude a ; an d bei n g a believer i n t h e t est i ,

.

mon y of God I w as assure d if my doct rin es w ere t h e

,

s ame my t reat men t w ould be sim ilar Al l t his rose t o .

my vie w an d t h e prospect w as t re m e n dous

,
Thus I .

passed t h e n i g ht an d t h e en sui n g m orn in g w it n essed my

,

in dispositi on bot h of body a n d mi n d M y g ood frien d .

re n ew e d h is solicit at io ns Wil l you sir, s peak t o m e .

‘
,

an d t o my n ei g hbors of t h e t hin g s w hich belo n g t o ou r

peace S ee in g o n ly t hick w oods, t h e t avern ac ross th e

fie ld e xcept ed I request ed t o k n o w w hat he m ean t by
,

n eig hbors O sir w e ass e mbl e a lar g e con g re g at ion

.
‘
,

w h en e ve r t h e m eet i n g hous e i s ope n ed ; i n deed w he n my

-
,

f at her first se t t led here he w as obli g e d t o g o t w e n t y,

mile s t o grin d a bushel of corn bu t t here are n ow m ore

t ha n seve n hun dred i n habit an t s w it hin t hat dist an ce I .
’

w as am azed ; i n deed everyt h i n g I saw an d everyt hin g

,

I he ar d am aze d me N othi n g except t h e rel i g ion of t h e

.
,

people re sembled w hat I had left behin d

, .

“
M y m i n d co n t in ued subject e d t o t h e m ost t ort uri n g
reflect ion s I coul d n ot brin g myself t o yield t o t h e e u
.

t reati es of M r Po tt er an d s t il l I ur g e d t h e n ecessi t y of
.
,

depart in g t h e mo m en t t h e w in d w ould an sw er M r . .

Pott er w as pos it ive t h e w i n d w ould n ot chan g e u n t il I

h ad S poken t o t h e peopl e M ost arde n t ly di d I desire t o
.

escape t h e im port un it ies of t his g ood m an The idea of .

a cro w d makin g a publ ic exhib it ion of myself w as t o

, ,
 1 32 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

my desolat e, w oe w orn m in d in t olerable ; an d t h e sus

-

pe n se i n w hich I w as held w as perfect ly ag on izin g I .

coul d n ot forbear ackn ow l e d g in g an u n co m m o n c oin ci

den ce of circum st an ces ; t h e hopes a n d fears of t his
hon est m an so lo n g in operat ion ; y e t he evin ced g re at
,

w arm t h of disposi t io n an d w as e vide n t ly t i n c t ured w it h

,

I
e n t h usias m bu t aft er m aki n g every allo w an ce for t hese
,

prope n sit ies it could n ot be de n ied t hat an overrulin g

,

Po w er see med t o operat e in an un usual an d rem ark able

m an n er I coul d n ot forbear looki n g back upo n t h e mis
.

t akes m ade duri n g our p assag e eve n t o t h e co m in g i n t o ,

t h is part icular i n le t w here n o vessel of t h e size of t h e

,

bri g Han d in Han d had ever before e n t ered ; eve ry cir

‘ - -
’

cu m st a n ce co n t ribu t ed t o brin g m e t o t h is house Mr . .

Pot t er s addr ess on seei n g m e h i s assuran ce t hat he kn ew

’
,

I w as on board t h e vessel w he n he saw her at a dist an ce ,

all t hese con siderat ion s pressed w it h po w erful c on vi c

t io n on m y m i n d a n d I w as ready t o say If God Al m i g ht y
, ,

has in his providen ce so ordered even t s as t o brin g me

, ,

i n t o t his coun t ry for t h e purpose of m akin g m an ifest t h e

savor of his n a m e an d of brin g in g m an y t o t h e kn ow l
,

ed g e of t h e t rut h ; t hough I w oul d i n fin it ely prefer de at h

t o e n t eri n g i n t o a charac t er w hich w ill subjec t m e t o
w hat is i n fi n it ely w orse t han de at h ; y e t as t h e issu es of ,

life a n d deat h are n ot un der m y direct ion a m I n ot ,

boun d t o sub mit t o t h e dispe n sat io n s of Provide n ce I

w ished ho w ever t o be co n vin ced t hat i t w a s t h e w il l of
, ,

God t hat I sh ou l d st ep fo rt h in a charact er w hich w ould

'

be con sidered as obn oxious as t ruly det est able I w as ,

.

fully co n vin ced it w as n ot by t h e w ill of t h e fl esh n or ,

by t h e w ill of t h e w orld n or by t h e w ill of t h e g od of

,

t his w orld ; all t hese w ere st ro n g ly opposed t here t o .

On e mo m e n t I felt my resolut ion g ive w ay ; t h e pat h

,

poin t ed ou t see me d t o brig ht en upon m e ; bu t t h e n ext,

t h e difficult ies fro m w it hin a n d w i t ho u t obscured t h e
prospect an d I relapsed i n t o a fir m resolut ion t o S helt er
,
 JOHN M U RRAY . 1 33

myse lf i n solit u de fro m t h e hopes a n d fe ars a n d t h e

various co n t e n t io n s of m e n .

“ While I t h us balan c e d t h e
S abbat h advan ced I h ad
,
.

ven t ured t o implore t h e God w h o h ad som et i m es co n de

scen de d t o in dul g e in divi duals w it h t ok e n s of his app ro
bat ion g raciously t o in dul g e m e up o n t h is i m port a n t
,

occas ion ; a n d t hat if it w ere his w ill 1 should obt ain

, ,

t h e de sir e of m y soul by passi n g t h rou g h life i n a priv a t e

,

cha ract er If i t w ere n ot his w ill t h at I sh ould e n g a g e

.

as a p re acher of t h e m i n is t ry of reco n ciliat io n h e w oul d ,

vouch sa fe t o g ra n t m e such a w i n d as m i gh t he ar m e
from t h is shore before t h e re t urn of an o t h e r S abbat h I .

de t erm i n e d t o t ake t h e ch an g in g of t h e w i n d for a n

an s w e r ; an d h a d t h e w i n d chan g ed it w ould h ave born e
, ,

on i t s w in g s full co n vic t io n because it w ould h a ve cor

,

respon de d w it h m y w ish e s B u t t h e w i n d chan g ed n ot

.
,

an d S at urd ay m or n i n g arrived Well said my an xious .

,
’

frie n d n ow l e t m e g ive n ot ice t o my n ei gh bors

,
No .
’
,

sir n ot y e t ; should t h e w in d c han g e in t h e m iddle of

,

t h e aft e rn oon I m us t depart N o t on g ue ca n t e ll n or

’
.
,

h eart con ceive h ow m uch I suffered t h is af t e rn oon ; bu t

,

t h e eve n i n g cam e on a n d it w a s n ecessary I s h ould de

,

t ermi n e ; a n d at las t w i t h m uch fear a n d t re m bli n g I

, ,

yie lded a reluct an t con se n t M r Pot t er t hen i mme di . .

at ely despat c he d his servan t s on horseback t o s p r ead , ,

t h e i n t elli g en ce far an d w ide an d t hey w e re t o co n t i n ue,

t hei r i n for m at io n u n t il t e n i n t h e eve n i n g .

I had n o rest t hrou g h t h e n i g h t Wh at should I say .

,

or h ow address t h e people Ye t I recollect ed t h e a d

mon it io n of ou r L ord : Take n o t hou gh t w hat you shall
say ; i t shall be
g iv e n you in t hat sam e hou r w hat you
, ,

shall say Ay bu t t h is pro m ise w as m ade t o his dis

.
’
,

cip l e s . Well by t h is I shall kn o w if I a m a discipl e I f

,
.

God in his provide n ce is co mm it t in g t o m e a dispe n s a

, ,

t ion of t h e g osp e l h e w ill furn ish m e w i t h m at t er w i t h

, ,

ou t m y t hou g h t or care If t his t hi n g be n ot of God he

.
1 34 UNI VERSALI S M I N A M ERI C A .

w ill desert m e an d t his shall be an o t he r S i gn ; on t his

, ,

t he n I res t ed
, S un day m orn in g succeede d ; m y hos t
.

w as in t ran spo rt s I w as I can n o t describe h ow I w as

. .

I e n t ered t h e house ; it w a s n eat an d co n ve n ien t ex ,

pressive of t h e charact er of t h e build e r There w ere n o .

pe w s ; t h e pulpit w a s rat her i n t h e Q uaker m ode ; t h e

s ea t s w e re co n s t ruc t ed w it h backs roo m y a n d eve n , ,

e l e g an t I sai d t h ere w ere n o pe w s ; t here w as on e larg e

.

square p e w just before t h e pulp it ; i n t his s at t h e v e n

,

c r able m a n a n d h i s fam ily par t icula r frie n ds a n d visit i n g

, ,

st ran g ers I n t his p e w sa t upon t his occasio n t his happy

.
, ,

m a n a n d surely n o m a n upo n t his side of heave n w as

, , ,

eve r m ore co m plet ely happy He looke d up t o t h e pulpit .

w i t h ey e s spar kl in g w it h pleasure ; i t appeared t o h im as

t h e ful fil me n t of a pro m ise lo n g deferr ed ; an d he r e
fl e ct e d w it h abun dan t co n solat ion on t h e st ron g fait h
, ,

w hich he had cherished w hile his associat es w ould t aun t ,

i n g l y ques t ion Well Po t t er w here is t his m in ist er w h o

, , ,

is t o be se n t t o you ? — H e is co mi n g alo n g in Go d s ’ ‘ ’

ow n g ood t i m e — A n d do you s t ill believe an y such

’ ‘
.

preacher w ill visit you O h yes assuredly He r e , , .

’

fl e c t e d u p o n all t his a n d t ears of t ran sport filled his

,

eyes ; he looked rou n d upo n t h e peop l e a n d every feat ure ,

see m ed t o say The re w hat t hi n k you n ow

, ,
Whe n I
re t urn ed t o his house he caug ht m e i n his arm s , N ow .
‘
,

n ow I a m w illin g t o depart O my God " I w ill praise .

t hee ; t hou has t g ran t ed m e my desi r e A ft er t his t rut h .

I have bee n seekin g bu t I have n e ve r foun d it un t il

,

n ow . I k n e w t hat God w h o p u t i t i n t o m y heart t o ,

build a house for his w orship w ould s e n d a servan t of ,

h i s ow n t o proclai m his ow n g ospel I k n e w he w ould I .

kn e w t h e t im e w a s co me w he n I s a w t h e vessel g rou n ded ;

I k n e w y ou w ere t h e m a n w he n I s a w y ou approach my ,

door a n d my heart leaped for j oy

, V isi t ors poured in t o .
’

t h e h ouse ; h e t ook each by t h e h an d This is t h e hap .

piest day of my life, said t h e t ran sport ed ma n ’

There, .
 J OHN M URRAY .
1 35

n ei ghbors is t h e mi n ist er God pro m is e d t o s e n d

,
t here
me . H ow do you like God s m i n is t e r I r an fro m t h e ’

co m pan y an d prost rat in g m yself before t h e t hro n e of

, ,
‘

g r ace be so u g h t m y God t o t ake m e a n d do w i t h me

,

w h at e v e r he pl e as e d I a m sai d I I am 0 L ord God ’

.
, , , ,

i n t hi n e han d as clay i n t h e ha n d of t h e po t t er If t h ou .
,

i n t hy provi de n ce has t broug h t m e i n t o t h i s N e w Wo r ld

,

t o m ake k n o w n un t o t h is people t h e g r ace a n d t h e bl e ss

i n g s of t h e n e w cove n an t ; if t hou h as t t h ou g ht prop e r ,

by m aki n g ch oice of so w eak an i n st r u me n t t o con fou n d ,

t h e w is e ; if t hou has t be e n p l e ase d t o s h o w t o a b a be ,

pos se s si n g n e it her w isdo m n or p rude n c e w hat t hou has t ,

h id from t h e w ise a n d pru de n t be i t so 0 Fat h e r for ,

-
, ,

so it see m e t h g oo d i n t h y sig h t B u t O m y m e r ciful .

,

God " leave m e n ot I beseech t h e e f or a si n g le m o m e n t

, ,

for w it hout t he e I ca n do n o t hin g Oh m ake t hy .

,

st re n g t h pe rfe ct in m y w e ak n ess t hat t h e w o r ld m ay s e e ,

t hat t hi n e is t h e po w er a n d t h at t here fore t h i n e ou g h t

, , ,

t o be t h e g lory Thus m y hea rt prayed w hile s u pp li

’
.
,

cat in g t ears bede w ed my face .

“
I fel t ho w eve r reli e v e d a n d t ran quillized for I h a d
, , ,

po w er g iven m e t o t rust i n t h e L ord t o st ay up o n t h e G od ,

of my salvat io n I mm e d iat e ly upo n my re t urn t o t h e

.

co mpan y my boat m e n e n t ere d t h e h ouse

,
T h e w i n d is .

fair s i r
, .We ll t h e n w e w ill de part I t is lat e i n t h e
’
, ,
.

aft e rn oo n bu t n o m at t er I w ill e m bar k dire c t ly I h a ve

, , ,
.

be en de t erm i n e d t o e m brace t h e fi rst O ppo r t u n it y w e ll ,

kn o w in g t h e susp e n se t h e cap t a i n m us t be i n a n d t h e
pai n at t e n dan t t h e re o n Accor di n g ly as soo n as m at t e rs
.
’
,

coul d be a djus t e d I se t off ; bu t n ot t ill m y ol d f r ie n d

, ,

t akin g me by t h e han d said You a r e n ow g oin g t o N e w

, ,

York I a m afraid you w ill w he n t h e r e fo r g e t t h e ma n

.
, ,

t o w ho m your M as t e r se n t you B u t I do bes e ech you .

, ,

co m e back t o m e ag ain as soo n as possi ble .

’

The t ears g us h ed i n t o h i s e yes a n d re g ardi n g m e , ,

w it h a look i n dicat ive of t h e s t ro n g e s t affec t io n h e t h re w ,

1 36 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

his arm s ar ou n d m e repeat in g his i m port un it ies t h at I

,

w ould n ot u n n ecessarily delay my re t urn I w as g reat ly .

affect ed reit erat i n g t h e st ro n g es t assuran ces t hat I w ould

,

con for m t o his w ishes Wh y s h o u ld I n ot ? said I

.
‘ ’
.

Wh at is t here t o preve n t m e I do n ot k n o w an i n divid

ual i n N e w York N 0 on e kn o w s m e What should i n duce
. .

m e t o t arry t here A h my frie n d said he you w ill ‘

, ,
’
,
‘

fin d man y i n N e w York w h o w ill love a n d ad m i r e you ,

a n d t h ey w ill w ish t o det ain you i n t hat ci t y B u t you .

have pro m ised you w ill re t urn an d I a m sure you w ill ,

perform your pro m ise An d in t h e mean t im e may t h e .

God of hea ve n be w i t h you U n able t o reply I hur ri e d .

’
,

fro m his door ; an d on e n t eri n g t h e vessel I foun d t h e

, ,

g ood old m an had g e n erously a tt e n ded t o w hat h a d m ade

n o par t of my c are by m aki n g am ple provision bot h
,
-

for m e a n d t h e boat me n duri n g our li t t le voyag e .

I ret ir ed t o t h e cabi n I had leisure for s e rious r e .

fl e ct i on s a n d serious r e fl ect io n s cro w ded upo n m e

,
I .

w as ast o n ishe d ; I w a s lost i n w o n der i n love an d praise , , .

I s a w as evide n t ly as I could see a n y object visibly ex

,

h i bit e d before m e t h at t h e g ood han d of God w a s i n all

,

t h ese t hi n g s I t is I spo n t a n eously exclaimed it is

‘ ’ ‘
.
, ,

t h e L or d s doin g s an d i t is m arvellous i n m y eyes

’
, It .
’

appeared t o m e t hat I could t race t h e h an d of God i n

bri n g i n g m e t hrou g h a lo n g chai n of even t s — t o such a ,

plac e t o such a perso n so eviden t ly prepared for my

, ,

recept ion A n d w hile I ackn ow ledg ed t h e w ill of God

.
,

m an ife s t e d respect in g my public charact er I a t t h e sam e ,

m o m e n t dist i n g u ished t h e ki n dn ess of God evi n ced by

his i n d u l g in g me w it h a re t ire m e n t so exact ly sui t ed t o
m y w ishes The house w a s n eat t h e sit u at io n e n chan t
.
,

i n g ; i t w as on t h e m arg in of t h e deep on t h e side of an ,

ext e n sive bay w hich aboun ded w i t h fish of every de scr i p

,

t io n a n d a g reat varie t y of w at er fo w l
, On t h e ot her -
.

side of t his d w ellin g aft er passi n g over a f e w fields ,

(w hich at t hat t i m e st ood t hick w it h corn ) ve n erable ,

 J OHN M URRAY . 1 37

w oods t hat se e m ed t h e coevals of t im e prese n t e d a sce n e

, ,

f or co n t e mpl at io n fit t o w e ri n g m aj e s t ic a n d filli n g t h e
, , ,

devo t ion al m i n d w i t h a re li g ious aw e I refl e ct e d t here .

’
,

fore w i t h au g me n t i n g g rat i t ude t o my heave n ly Fat h er

, ,

upo n t h e pressi n g i n vit at io n he had p u t i n t o t h e h eart of

h i s fai t h ful se r va n t t o g ive m e An d I d e t er m i n e d t o .

h as t e n back t o t h is deli g h t ful re t re at w h e r e n o t h i n g bu t ,

t h e g ran deur of si m ple n at ure exhibi t ed i n t h e surr o u n d

i n g obj e c t s an d t h e g e n ui n e op e rat io n s of t h e Divi n e
,

S pi r i t on t h e heart of t h e hospi t able m as t e r a w ait e d my ,

approach .

I h a d n ot t h e least ide a of t arryi n g i n N e w Yo rk a

mom e n t lo n g e r t h an t o see t h e capt ai n deliver u p m y ,

charg e a n d rece ive m y bagg ag e ; an d I re solve d t o ret urn

,

by t h e first opport u n i t y t o my be n evole n t frie n d A n d .

t hus did I m ake u p my m i n d Well if it be so I am .

, ,

g rat eful t o God t hat t h e busi n ess is t hus a djus t ed If I .

must be a pro m ulg at or of t hese g lad t h ese vas t y e t oh , ,

n oxious t idin g s I s hall ho w ever be she lt ere d i n t h e

, , ,

bosom of fri e n dship i n t h e boso m of ret ire m e n t I w ill

,
.

employ mys e lf on t h e g roun ds of m y frie n d t hus earn i n g ,

my ow n sup p ort a n d heal t h w ill be a con c o m i t an t w h ile

,

I w ill pre ach t h e glad t idi n g s of salvat io n fre e as t h e

light of heave n The busi n ess t hus arran g ed I b e cam e
.
’
,

re co n ciled t o t h e w ill of t h e Almi g ht y ; a n d I c om

me n ce d w i t h t ole rable co m posure an ot her an d v e ry
, ,

i mport an t st ag e of my various life ” 1 .

day of h i s arr i val in N e w York had n ot Cl osed

Th e
before h e w a s i mport u n ed by a n umb er of person s t o
preach for t hem t h e sa il ors w h o accompan i ed h i m in
,

1 L if e of M u r ra y , e d it i on of 1 8 7 0 , pp . 1 9 64 1 2 . T he ar riv al of the

Han d i n Han d
- -
”
in Ne w Y or k w as an n ou n ce d in t h e “
Y or k
Ne w
G aze t t e of M on da y , O c t obe r l st . T h e da t e of M r . M u r r ay s fi r st
’

se r mon i n A m e ric a w as t h e re f or e S u n da y , S e pt 3 ot h, 1 7 7 0 ,
. t he day
on w h ic h Re v Ge org e
. Wh ite fi e ld die d .
138 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t he s l oop hav in g spread t h e in t ellige n ce t hat he w as a

I t b ecame imposs ibl e t o res is t
”
preacher . he says , ,

t he i r persu as i o n s an d so he de livered his m ess ag e in

”
,

t h e Bap t i s t mee t i n g house He w as de t ain ed in N e w

-
.

York more t han a w eek w ait in g for an opport un ity t o

ret urn t o G ood Luck t h e res i den ce of h i s n e w fou n d ,
-

frien d P ott er ; a n d d u rin g t hat ti me be “ fre que n t ly

,

preached an d t o cro w ded houses

, .

So soo n as an opport u n it y t o ret u rn prese n t ed I very ,

cheerfully e mbraced i t ; an d I felt my heart b oun d w it h

pleasure at t h e t houg ht of t hat meet in g w hich a f e w
d ays before I w ould have died t o avoid The charm in g .

ret reat i n t h e g ift of my frie n d w as i n my est i m at ion ,

, , ,

hi g hly preferable t o N e w York an d all w hich it could ,

best o w ; an d I lo n g ed most earn est ly t o quit t h e on e an d

t o ret ur n t o t h e o t her A n um ber of frie n ds acco mpan ie d
.

me t o t h e vessel an d w e part ed w it h expressio n s of re

,

gre t . A sin g le day produced me ag ain i n t h e abode of

g e n uin e Christ ian f rien dship t o w hich I w as w elcom ed
, ,

w it h every de mo n str a t io n of heart felt joy -

.

“
Here t he n I co n sidere d I had foun d a perman en t
, ,

ho m e ; t hat a fi n al period w a s at le n g t h p u t t o my w a n
deri n g s ; an d aft er all my apprehe n si ve dread from bein g
,

draw n int o t h e p ublic char act er, n ow t hat I had a pros

p e ct of sust ain in g t his p u bl ic ch ar ac t er in so p r iv a te a
m a n n er I w as n ot o n ly reco n ciled bu t t ra n quillize d a n d
, ,

h appy; I had leisure t o re t rospect my past life an d I ,

w as fill ed w i t h ast o n i shme n t w he n I beheld all t h e various

pat hs w h ich I had t rod ul t i mat ely l e ad i n g me t o a u n i ,
.

for m con t e mplat io n of redeemi n g love ; n or coul d I for

bear exclaimi n g Great a n d marvellous are t hy w orks,
,
‘

Lord God Almi g h t y " Just an d t rue ar e t hy w ays 0 ,

t hou Kin g of sai n t s

1 Lif e of M u rra y , e diti on of 1 87 0 , p 2 1 5 . .

 JOHN M URRAY . 1 39

I t w as im poss ible how ever for h im t o en j oy t h e

, ,

ret irem en t w hich he so arden t ly cove t ed The humble .

m eet in g house in w h i ch he offi cia t ed on S un days w a s

-

t hron g ed b y peop l e from a ll quart ers some fro m t h e

,

dist an ce of t w e n t y m il es ; an d m u lt ipli ed i n vit at i o n s

t o v is it ot her p l aces w ere i m port u n at e
”
,
At firs t he .
,

says ,

I det er m in ed I w ould n ever accede t o an y request w h ich

sh oul d bear me fro m a seclusion so co mp let ely oo mm en
surat e w it h my w ishes Al as alas " h ow lit t l e do w e
.
,

kn o w of ourselves or ou r dest in at io n " S olicit at ion s ,

e arn es t solici t at io n s poured i n fro m t h e Jerseys fro m

, ,

Ph ilade lphia an d from N e w York ; a n d it became i m p os

,

sible t o w it hst an d t heir repeat ed a n d i m posin g e n erg y ” .

The su m m on s t o N e w York see m s t o have w rough t a

radi cal chan g e in h i s vie w s of dut y in regard t o e n t er
in g a larg er fie l d .

“
To a su mm o n s so pres s i n g ” he says “ I dared n ot
, ,

t urn a deaf c a r I n fac t a revolu t io n had t ake n p lace i n

.
,

my m in d I t appeared t o m e t h at I w a s hi g h ly r e pr e
.

h e n s ibl e i n t h us w it hdraw in g myself fro m t h e t our of

dut y w hich s e e m ed appoin t e d f or me ; a n d I de t erm in ed
n e ver t o seek direc t ly or i n d ir e ct ly for an op e n d oo r a n d ,

n ever a ain refuse e n t e r i n

g g an y doo r w h ich Provide n ce
should open I t is t rue I n ever w ished t o re ce ive a n
.
,

in vit at io n bu t I w as aw are t hat t h e direct io n of m e an d

my m ove m e n t s w ere in t h e h an ds of i n fi n it e Wisdo m ” .

His recep t io n in N e w York far exceeded his expect a

t ion s The fai t h w hich he proc lai med w as received
.

w it h such e n t hus i as m t ha t a su b scrip t io n paper for t h e

purpose of erec t in g a house of w orship w as co m plet e ly

fi lled in on e day ; an d t he believers w arm ly urg ed him
1 40 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

to make t hat c it y his home He cou ld n ot y e t b rin g .

h i m self ho w ever t o desert his peacefu l ret reat at Good

, ,

Luck ; an d aft er a f e w w eeks serv ice in N e w Y ork he

’
,

re t ur n ed t o hi s frie n d Po t t er B u t t h e ope n door w as .

n ow con s t an t l y se t before h im an d as it w as g radua ll y , ,

k n o w n t ha t he b e lieved m ore con cern in g t h e D i vin e

purpose t han w as t augh t b y t h e cl erg y g e n erall y oppo ,

sit i on b ecame ma n ifes t ; some o f h is hearers fe ll a w ay

from his mee t in g s an d l ocal reaso n s for h i s con fin in g

,

hi s lab ors t o t h e Pot t er meet in g house l ost m uch of t heir -

w e ig h t D u rin g th e n ext t w o years t herefore he w as

. . ,

a n i t in eran t i n a w ide an d co n s t an t l y e n l arg in g fie l d .

I t ex t e n ded from M ary la n d n ear Ba l t i more on t h e , ,

sout h t o Port smout h N H on t h e n ort h an d i n cl uded

, , . .
, ,

man y l ocalit ies in N e w J ersey N ew ark in Delaw are , ,

Ph il adel ph ia N e w York N orw i ch an d N e w Lon don

, ,

in C on n ect icut N e w port E as t Gree n w i ch Pa w t uxet

, , , ,

a n d P rov i den ce R I an d Bos t on an d N e w b uryport

, . .
, ,

M ass .

So m et im e in 1 7 7 3 M r M urray caused a small pamph .

l e t oi Ja m es Re lly s some t im es issued as a supp l emen t

’

t o the Treat ise on Un i o n e n t it l ed A Short S peci

“
,
”

m e n of Ap ost ol ick Preach i n g t o b e pu bli shed at ,

Burl in gt o n N J I t w as dec i ded ly An t in o m ian in it s

,
. .

charact er describi n g all human w orks as f ooli shn ess

,

a n d fil t hin e s s an d affirm in, g t hat t h e f ull an d comp let e

righ t eousn ess of man has already b ee n est abl ished in
Chri st To defray t h e expen ses of t h e pu bl icat i on M r
.
,
.

M urray w as compe ll ed t o part w i t h h i s horse ; a l oss

made g ood t o h i m b y h is fri en ds in N e w port R I ,
. .
,

w hom he short l y aft er v i si t e d .

On h i s seco n d v i s it t o Bost on in 1 7 7 4 he w as accuse d , ,

 J OH N M URRA Y .
1 41

in t he pap ers publi shed in t hat c it y of bei n g a foll o w er

of James B e ll y This com in g t o t h e n o t ice of person s
.

in Glouces t er w h o had perused Relly s “ U n i o n

’
a mes ,

sen ger w as despa t ched t o Bost o n t o in duce M r M urray .

t o v i si t G l ouces t er He ob eyed t h e summo n s an d

.
,

remain ed t here n in e days .

”
I had t rav e lled, he says “ fro m M arylan d t o N e w
,

Hampshire w it hout m eet in g a sin g le in dividual w h o

appe are d t o have t h e s m all e st ide a of w hat I es t ee m ed
t h e t r u t h as i t i i n Jesus ; bu t t o m y g rea t ast on is h
s ,

me n t t h e re w ere a f e w person s dw ellers i n t ha t r e m o t e

, ,

place upo n w ho m t h e li g ht of t h e g ospe l h ad m or e t h a n

,

da w n e d. The w rit in g s of M r Ke lly w e re n ot o n ly i n

.

t heir h a n ds bu t i n t heir h e a r ts
, Four years previous t o
.

t h is period a n E n g lis h m an a M r Gre g ory h a d broug ht

, ,
.
,

w it h hi m t hos e obn oxious p ag es a n d loan ed t he m t o t his

,

small cir cle of G l ou c e s t e r i an s by w h o m t h ey had bee n

,

seized w it h avidit y t h e Fat h e r of t h e ir S pirit s r e n dered

t h e m l u m in ous t o t heir u n ders t an din g s ” .

Re t u rn in g t o Bos t o n for a shor t t i m e M urray ,

r . M
rev isi t ed G l Ou ce st e r in December an d fro m t hat t i m e ,

t ill his re m oval t o Bos t o n a b ou t t w en t y years l at er

, ,

Gl ou ce s t er w a s his home an d t h e place w here m ost of

,

h is min is t e ri a l l a b ors w ere re n dered al t houg h he s t ill ,

con t in ued t o devo te some port ion s of each year t o it in

e ran t service in t h e w ide fiel d a l ready desi n a t ed
g .

Up t o t h is t i me M r M urr ay had sel do m if ever

.
, ,

made a d i st in ct pu bl ic decl arat io n of his b e l ief in U n i

v e rsal is m n or had he soug ht in h i s preach in g t o
make prosely t es t o hi s vi e w s ; a n d th e t houg h t of
orga n iz in g a sec t or eve n a soci et y or church in Oppo
, ,

sit ion t o t h e t he n
g e n era l b e l ief i n Ca lv in i sm had pro b ,

ably n ever e n t ered his m in d I n m an y pl aces w here he

.
1 42 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AME RI CA

preached t h e l egit i mat e in feren ces from h i s arg umen t s

w ere n ot f u lly apprehe n ded e it her b y t h e preachers or
peopl e w h o flocked to hear h im He remarks co n cern .

in g t h i s in the acc ou n t of his fi rs t preach in g in N e w

Y ork O f t h e Bap t i st prea cher w hose house he ocon
. ,

p ied he says
,

E v e n t h e mi n is t er ext e n ded t o me t h e han d of appar

e n t f r ie n d s h i p , w hich I accou n t ed for upon a su p posi t io n

t hat he w a s i g n oran t of m y t es t i m on y I m ade use of .

t h e sa m e S cript ures w hic h he m ade u se of an d he w a s ,

n ot apprised t h at I yielde d t h e m u n qualifi e d crede n ce .

I h a d n o doubt t h at , so soo n as h e should be in forme d

t hat I b el i ev ed w hat I delivered he w o ul d con de mn as,

m uch as he n ow see m ed t o ap p r ove ” .

So a l so in N e w Jersey
A Bapt ist min i st er fro m N e w Jersey bel ievin g my ,

s e n t i me n t s precisely i n un iso n w it h h i s ow n co n ceived a ,

st ro n g affect io n for me He solic it e d m e t o becom e

.

a m e m ber of his ch ur ch, t ha t I m i g h t o bt ai n a lice n se

fro m t he ir associat ion Of cour se I declin ed his frien dly
.

o ff ers for I w ell kn e w w hen he discovered I re ally be

, ,

l i e v e d t h e g ospel w hich I preached u n i t in g w it h hi s ,

bre t hren he w ould be as an xious t o exclude m e from his

,

syn a g o g ue as he n ow w as t o rece i ve me .

“
He pressed me ho w eve r t o visit h im w hich I di d
, , , ,

acco mpan ie d by my pat ro n w h o t o his gr eat m or t ificw , ,

t io n w as n ecessit at ed t o leave m e t here

, I n t h is g e n t le .

m an s pulpi t I pre ached

’
I l odg ed in his h ouse an d
.
,

received from h i m every m ark of at t en t ion un t il my ,

un ben di n g refusal of al l collect ion s an d t h e part iali ty of ,

his fr ie n ds visibly dim in ishe d his re g ard I h ad c al cu

, .

l at ed upo n t his chan g e a n d i t did n ot t herefore as t o n ish

,

1 L if e of M u rra y , e dit ion of 187 0 . pp 2 14, 2 1 5

. .
 JOHN M URRAY . 143

me . He ho w ever a w arm he art ed man an d as

w as, ,
-
,

sin cere as m e n i n g e n eral are I n t h is place I w as i n t ro

.

du c e d t o m an y w ort h y charact ers w h o as a par t of t h e , ,

e l e ct io n obt ain ed a kn o w led g e of t h e t rut h as it is i n

,

Je sus A m o n g t h e rest w as a Just ice Pan g bru n a v e n

.
,

e ra b l e O l d g e n t le m an w h o h a d for m an y years be e n
,

c o n sidered by his bre t hre n as a n oracle T h is g e n t le m an .

he ard m e an d d iscov e re d t hat my t est im o n y w as n ot in

,

un iso n w it h t h e t eachin g t o w h ich he h a d lis t e n e d He .

be cam e sedulously i n t e n t upon det ect in g m y e rrors an d ,

h e soo n discovere d I w as w ro n g a n d as soo n ki n dly e n ,

de a v or e d t o se t m e ri g h t B u t as t here w as n o ot h er w ay
.

O f e ff ec t uat i n g his w i s h e s bu t by t h e Wo r d of God — for

,

I refused all o t h er aut h o r it y — h e w as soo n co n vin ced , ,

upon s e archin g t h e sacred w ri t i n g s for proofs of my

h e resy t h at i t w a s he hi m self w h o h a d w an de r e d from
,

t hat pre cious t r u t h o n ce d e live r ed t o t h e sain t s Wit h .

ou t h e si t at io n h e re n ou n c e d h i s for m er vie w s a n d c on ,

t i n n ed e v e r aft er a n a ble a n d z e alous advocat e for t h e

t ru t h preached by A braha m I t w a s n ow n oised abroa d
.

t h at I w as a n erro n eous t eacher The clergy m an w h o .

w as so w arm ly at t ached t o m e w hile h e beli e v e d m e a

Calvin ist ic Bapt is t n ow co m me n ced a m ost in ve t erat e

,

adversary a n d his opp osi t ion publish ed more ext en sively

,

my n am e an d p eculiar t e n e t s ” 1 .

The same w a s t rue a t N e w port an d at Prov iden ce as ,

i s eviden t from t h e in quiries w hi ch w ere subm it t ed t o

h im i n t hose p l aces A t P ort s m ou t h he w as in v it ed
.

t o b eco m e pas t or o f a con re a t i o n of Separa t is t s evi

g g ,

de n t l y u n der t h e im press i o n t ha t he w as a Calv in is t .

At N e w b uryport h i s pa t ro n s on his firs t v i sit w ere t h e, ,

perso n a l frien ds an d adhere n t s of th e l at e Rev Georg e .

Wh it efield a n d as M r M urray is said t o have b orn e a

.

1 Lif e of M u rr a y ,
e dit ion of 1 8 7 0 , pp 2 2 2 , 2 23
. .
144 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

s t ron g resembl an ce t ot ha t popul ar d iv in e in t h e an ima ,

t i o n of h i s s t y l e an d t h e fresh a n d copi ous po w er o f h i s

,

ill us t rat i on s it i s pro b abl e t h at t hey regarded h i m as

,

in some sort a successor t o Wh it e fie l d Cert ain l y t hey .

d i d n ot u n derst an d t hat he w a s a Un i versal i st for con , ,

cern in g h is secon d v i sit t o N ew b uryport an d P orts

mou t h M rs M urray says
, .

“ Those w h o a dhered t o h i m in t hose t o w n s, h avin g

ascert ain ed t hat he absolut ely believed t h e fi n al rest it u
t ion of a l l t hin g s u n it e d w it h t h e m an y i n t h e m ost
,
” 1
un qual ified ce n sure .

NO dou b t he hon est an d s in cere in adopt in g t h is

w as

course , bu t i t i n vol ved him in man y d ifficul t ies an d ,

caused susp i ci o n a n d i n so m e cases grea t ind ign a t ion

, .

He makes a fran k st at eme n t of h i s me t hod an d man i ,

f e st l y w i t h e n t ire se lf approva l -

The grace un io n a n d m e m bershi p upo n w hi ch I

, ,

expat iat ed w e re adm it t ed by every Calvin ist bu t ad

, ,

mitt e d o n ly for t h e e l e ct ; a n d w he n I repeat ed t hose

g l ori ous t ex t s of S cript ure w hich i n disput abl y procl ai m
t h e rede mp t io n of t h e los t w orld as I did n ot ex pressly ,

say M y bret hren I receive t hese t ext s in t h e un li mi t ed

, ,

sen se i n w hi ch t hey are g ive n t hey w ere n ot apprised ,

t hat I d i d n ot read t h e m w it h t h e sam e co n t ract ed view s

t o w h i ch t hey had been accust o med When t h ey became .

assured of t h e magn it u de a n d un boun ded result w hich I

asc ri bed t o t h e birt h life a n d deat h of t h e Redeemer
, , ,

t he i r doors w ere fas t closed ag ai n st me For myself I .

,

w as in u n i son w i t h M r Relly w h o supposed t h e gr a du a l

.
,

daw n of li gh t w ould e ve n tu a l ly prove m ore b e n efici al t o

man k i n d t han t h e sudden burst of m eri di an day Th us .

I w as con t en t ed w it h proclai m in g t h e t r u th as it i s in
1 Lif e of M u r ra y . e dit ion of 1 87 0 , p 3 1 2
. .
 J OHN M URRAY . 1 45

Je sus i n S cript ure lan g uag e o n ly — le a v in g t o m y he ar ,

ers deduct io n s com me n t s an d app licat io n s ” 1

, ,
.

Else w here he all udes t o hi s cust o m of a n s w erin g in

qu irie s in S crip t ure la n g uag e an d ma n ifes t s surpri se ,

t hat it h as n ot b een dee m ed sa t isfac t ory

capit al difficult y w hich has e n co m pas s ed m e i n

On e
my p rog re ss t hrou g h t h is you n g er w orld has bee n t h e ,

e xt re m e reluc t a n ce of i n quirers t o rec e ive t h ei r a n s w ers

i n Sc ri p t ure lan g u ag e St an din g alo n e I have sou g h t t o

.
,

w rap m yself or rat h e r t o i n t re n ch m yself i n t h e sacred

, ,

t e st i mon y of my God ; a n d for t his I ha v e be e n accused

of pre v aricat io n e quivocat io n a n d w h at n ot m e rely b
, e , ,

cause I have n ot g e n erally chose n t o g ar b m y se n t i m e n t s

i n my ow n w or ds F or ex a m ple : t h e i n t e r r o g at or c om
.

me n ce s w i t h a g reat m an y co m pli m e n t s an d t h e n follo w s , ,

— D o you b e li e ve all m e n w ill fi n ally be s ave d ?

‘
I ‘

be l ie ve i t i s g ood a n d a ccep t a b l e i n t h e s ig h t of G od ou r
Sa v iou r , w h o w i l l h a ve a l l m e n t o be s a ve d, a n d t o come u n t o
th e k n ow le dg e of t h e t r ut h ’
B u t do y ou y ou rs e lf be li e ve
.
‘

t h at all m a n ki n d
il l fi n ally be save d w God h a t h
i n cl u de d a l l i n u n b
e l i ef t h a t h e m a y h a ve m e r cy u on a l l
p .
’

B u t w ill a l l be fin ally saved G od h a t h sp ok e n of

th e r es t it u t i on o f a l l th i n g s , by t h e m ou t h of a l l h is h ol y
w or l d b
you do n ot B u t st ill
’
p rop h et s , s i n ce th e ‘
eg a n .

an sw er my quest io n Why sir for an yt hi n g I k n o w

.
’
, , ,

t he aut h ors I have ci t ed m ean by t he ir w ords pr e cisely

t h e sam e as I do I adopt t heir lan g uag e because I c on
.

ce iv e it expresses m
y ow n ideas be t t e r t han a n y se t of
phrases I could press in t o my servi ce T h is m ode h ow .
’
,

e ve r h a s rarely
, g iv e n sat isfact io n Perso n s dare n ot i n .
,

an un qu alified m an n er den y t h e validit y of S cript ure ,

t e st imo n y They can o n ly a ssert it does n ot m e a n a s i t

.

sp ea k s an d t hey e arn es t ly repea t t h e ques t io n

,
Do you ,

1 L if e Of M u rra y , e di t ion of 1 87 0 , pp 2 8 7 , 2 88
. .

V OL I . 10
1 46 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

believe ’ e t c , e t c While my r e S p on se s are draw n fro m

, . .

t h e sacred st re am s fl o w in g i n t h e book of God fr o m ,

Ge n esis t o Revelat io n st ill t hey i mport un at ely so me , ,

t i m es cla m orously de m an d B u t do you t ake t hose

, ,
‘

S crip t ures as t h ey are S poke n To w hich I can o n ly

re ply I have n o reaso n t o believe t hat by s a y in g on e
,
‘
,

t h in g a n d m e a n i n g a n ot h er m e n so upri g ht have fo r med , , ,

a plan t o deceive me An at t e mpt has t he n bee n made ’

.

t o prove t h e t e xt s i n quest ion did n ot could n ot m ean as , ,

t hey spake To w h ich I have an sw ered M ult it udes are

.
,
‘

on your si de M an y have labored t o prove God a liar ;

.

bu t I have n ever y e t heard an y arg um en t suf ficien t ly

pot en t t o co n vin ce m e t hat he is so 1 .
’

I n 17 76 Rev J oh n C l eavel an d pas t or o f t h e Secon d

.
,

Ch urch in Ips wi ch M as s publis hed a pamphl et t he , , ,

l o g t it l e t o w h i ch comme n ces An At te mpt t o N ip in

n
“
,

t h e Bud t h e U n scrip t ura l Doct rin e of U n iversa l Sa lva

t io n . I n it he s t y l es M urray 8 “ fa l se t eacher an d .
,

says
I t m ayalso be affirmed t o be a n in fallible m ark of a
false t eacher if at his first co m in g in t o a st ran g e place
, ,

i t is his pract ice t o m ake use of such lan g u ag e o n ly or

form s of speech as he un derst an ds co n vey t o t hem ort ho
dox se n t i m e n t s u n t il he has g ain ed t heir af fec t ion s an d ,

the n by lit t le an d li t t le as he fin ds i t w ill bear t o divul ge

, , ,

h i s corrupt t en e t s i n lan g uag e direct ly co n t rary t o w hat

h e us e d at firs t (p .

Rev E zra Stil es D D in a l ett er t o Rev El i Forbes

.
, . .
,
.
,

of Gl oucest er i n 1 7 7 7 decl ared t hat M r M urray o n ce

, ,
.

posit ively de n ied t o h i m h is b eli ef in u n iversal salva

t io n , an d asser t ed b o t h t h e realit y a n d perpe t u it y of

t h e fu t ure m is ery an d dam n a t i o n of t hose of t h e hu m an

1 Lif e of M u rr a y , e dit ion of 18 7 0 , p p 2 9 2 , 2 9 3

. .
 J OHN M URRAY .
1 47

race w ho
shou l d b e fou n d on t h e le ft han d of Jesus ;
an d he sa i d a n um b er of ma n kin d w ou l d b e fo u n d on

t he l eft han d of J esus a t t h e g rea t day 1

”
M r M urray . .

pron oun ced t h e decl ara t ion an un q ualifi ed fal sehood ,

an d made a j ou rn ey t o Por t smou t h for t h e purpose of

con fron t in g Dr Stil es wi t h t h e den ial bu t w as refused

.
,

2
an in t ervie w .

Un der t h e s t i mu l us of sympat hy in Gl ouces t er M r , .

M urray s poli cy w a s en t ire ly cha n g ed a n d fro m t his

’

t ime o n w ard h is preach in g w as more posi t i ve an d b o l d .

On t h e b reak in g ou t of t h e War for I n depe n de n ce he

w as import u n ed b y Ge n eral s V ar n u m an d Gree n e t w o ,

of h is E as t Green w ich frien ds t o t ake t h e chaplai n cy ,

of t he Rhode Is l an d Brigade t he n e n ca mped a t Cam ,

bridge M ass He accep t ed an d en t ered u pon his dut ies

,
.
, ,

bu t w a s at o n ce con fro n t ed b y a n eff ort for his re m oval

made by th e army chapl ain s w h o u n it ed in pet it ion in g ,
“

t h e g e n era l comman din g for h i s d i smi ssa l Wash in g .

t on made a n s w er in t h e

Gen eral Orders S ept 1 7 t h 1 7 7 5 ,The Rev M r .

,
. . .

John M urray is appoin t ed Chaplain t o t h e Rhode Islan d

” 3
m
Re gi e n t s an d is t o be respect ed as such
, .

Faili n g heal th cul m i n at i n g in a severe sickn ess com

, ,

p oll ed him t o leave t h e arm y aft er a b out eight m o n t hs ,

’

servi ce ; an d a ft er h i s recovery he devo t ed h imsel f

w holly t o t h e w ork of t h e m in i s t ry .

At t h is t i me G l ouces t er w a s su ff er in g from t h e al mos t

1 A n sw e r t o A ppe al , p 1 0
an . .

2
B r oa dside . T o be f ou n d i n t he L ibr a r y of t h e M assach u se tt s H is
t or ical S oci e t y .

3
F rom t h e orig in al O r de r B -
oo k , in t he S t at e D e part me n t at Wash
in g t on .
1 48 UNI VERSALI S M m A M ERI CA .

en t ire des t ru ct ion o f it s b usin es s by t h e w ar Povert y .

a n d g rea t d is t ress a b oun ded a n d as soo n as M r M u rray

,
.

had su ffi cie n t ly re covered from h is si ck n ess he ret u rn ed ,

t o t h e army an d presen t ed t h e n ec es s it ou s con d it i o n of

,

t h e t o w n t o th e att e n t i on of t h e o fficers w hose ac q ua in t

an ce he h ad made They respon ded by prompt an d
.

g e n erous don a t i o n s .

Gen eral Washin gt o n led t h e subscrip t io n w it h £1 0 ‘

,

e ac h of t h e m ajor g en erals £ 5 e ac h of t h e bri g ad i ers £ 3

-
, ,

be sides g e n erous don at ion s from m an y o t her respect able

ch arac t ers i n an d ou t of t h e arm y ”
,
.

This he d i st r ib ut ed t o part ies recommen ded by th e

select me n o f t h e t o w n re li evin g t hereb y
,

upw ards of a t housan d in dividuals w h o i n con sequen ce , ,

of t hi s ve ry provi den t ial a n d seaso n able support, w ere

e n abled t o ge t t hrou g h t h e w orst w in t er t hey ever ex
” 1
p e r ie n ce d t h roug h t e w
h a r .

The t ow n r e cords sho w t ha t ,

“
April 3 , 1 7 7 6 , it
w as

That t his t ow n ret u rn s t he ir sin

vot e d u n a n i mou s l y ,

cere t han ks t o t h e com passion at e do n ors of a su m of

m o n ey sen t by t h e h an ds of M r John M urray for t h e .

relief of our poor w hich he lays ou t in prov i s i o n s an d

, ,

dist ribut es amo n g t hem accordin g t o t he i r n ecess it ies ” .

N ot w it hst an d in g servi ces religiou s big ot ry

t hese ,

m adden ed t h e peopl e aga in s t t hei r b en e fact or an d be ,

fore th e year c l osed a m ob coll ect ed aro u n d t h e house

,

of M r Sargen t det erm in ed t o ri de M r M u rray ou t o f

.
, .

t o w n ; bu t b e in g d is suaded from t h is w arn ed hi m to ,

1 B roads ide , me n t ion e d in pre v ious n ote .

 JOHN M URRAY . 149

leave o n ce an d t hreat e n ed vi ol en ce if he n eglect ed

at ,

t o go . Un der t h e san c t i on of an o l d provin c ial l a w an ,

atte m pt w as made t o expe l h i m as a vagr an t bu t t his

w as frus tr at ed by a deed of g ift fro m on e of h i s fr i en ds ,

w hi ch con st it u t ed hi m a freeho l der Le tt ers from .

abroad w ere soli ci t ed ag a in s t h i m w it h t h e vie w of mak ,

in g h im an obj ect bo t h of polit ica l a n d of re lig ious ha t red .

I n t hese he w as a ccused of b e in g a spy in t h e e m p l oy

of t h e Brit i sh min is t ry of b e in g cl ose t ed w it h Tories
,

w herever he w e n t of hav in g b ee n in i m ical t o t h e in t er

,

est s of t h e coun t ry a n d grossly i m mora l w hile i n t h e

,

army an d of b ein g in every respec t a bad an d d an ge r

,

ous m an At t h is t ime Dr St il es Wr o t e t he le t t er
. .

already all uded t o in w h i ch aft er in s i n uat in g t hat M r

, , .

M urray w as a n e n emy t o th e pa t ri o t cause he avo w ed ,

his b eli ef t hat he w a s a Ro m an is t in dis g u i se e n de av

“
,

orin g t o excit e co n fus i on in ou r churches .

”

O f course t hese a t t a cks an d t h e in s in uat i on s of w h ich

,

t hey w ere so fru i t fu l n ot o n ly in creased t h e rag e of M r

, .

M urray s religi ous foes bu t al so roused t h e w ra t h of t h e

’

pat rio t s an d so curses an a t hemas an d some t imes st o n es

, , ,

follow ed h is ste ps as he w alked t h e s t ree t s B u t fear .

less an d un dist urbed he s t ood at his pos t co n vert s

, ,

mult iplied arou n d h im an d t h e aff ec t i on a n d zea l of

,

h is frie n ds in creased as t h e opposit io n gre w m ore

furious I n February 1 7 7 7 he w as su mm o n ed from
.
, ,

h is b ed b ein g t hen qu i t e s i ck t o appear b efore t h e

, ,

Comm it t ee of Safe t y all t h e memb ers o f w hich t he n

,

presen t w ere hi s avo w ed en emies an d w a s t here sub ,

je cte d t o an in su lt i n g quest io n in g as t o his b usin ess in

t own a n d h i s rig h t t o re m ain Here he b ore h i m sel f .

man fully an s w ered all t ha t w as charg ed a n d in sin ua t ed

,
15 0 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

again st h i m an d dec lared h is firm de t ermin at i o n n ot t o

,

b e in t im ida t ed by fal se accusat i on s n or b y t hrea t s o f ,

v i ol e n ce The Committ ee decided t hat he shoul d l eave

.

t ow n a n d served a n ot i ce on hi m t ha t he mus t
, depart
in fiv e days from t h e firs t o f M arch A s he paid n o .

heed t o t he ir w arn in g t h e mat t er w as b roug ht before a

,

meet in g of t h e t o w n M arch 1 0 i n t h e records o f w h ich

, ,

is t he foll o w in g m in ut e .

The ques t io n w as pu t w het her t h e t o w n a pprove ,

of t h e con duct of t h e lat e Co mm it t ee in desirin g M r .

John M urray t o depart t his t o w n i n five d ays fro m

t h e l st of M arch 17 7 7 I t w as vot ed i n t h e affirm at ive
, .
,
”
by 5 4 vot es for i t an d o n ly 8 ag ai n st it .

B ut he t ook n o n o t i ce of t hi s n or does t here see m t o ,

have b ee n an y furt her at t emp t t o compel h i m t o l eave

t h e p l ace The foll o w in g w hi ch came t o t h e n o t ice of
.
,

t h e c it i ze n s n ot l on g a ft er w as su ffic i e n t t o dis pose ,

o f t he charg es ag ain st h i s charac ter a n d pat ri o t i sm an d ,

t o l eave furt her oppos it i on w holly t o hi s reli gi ous

en emi es :
CAM P AT M I DD LE- BR OK O , M ay 2 7 t h, 1 7 7 7 .

These may ce rt ify t hat M r John M urray w as ap

.

“
, .

poin t ed Chaplain t o Col Varn u m s Re g im e n t by his .

’

E xcelle n cy Ge n eral Washin gt o n du rin g t h e arm y s lyi n g ,

’

before Bos t o n An d durin g his o fficiat in g i n t hat capac

.

it y his co n duct w a s re g ulat ed by t h e law s of virt ue an d

proprie t y ; his act io n s w ere such as t o m ake h im r e
sp e ct e d as an ho n es t m an an d a g ood cit ize n He lived .

beloved an d left t h e army es t eem ed by all his co n n ec

,

t ion s an d pat ro n s .

N A T H A N I E L GRE E N E M aj or G e n er a l ” 1 , .

1 T he or ig in al is i n t h e l ibrar y of T u f t s C oll e g e .
 J OHN M URRAY . 15 1

This cer t ifi cat e w hich w as dou bt l ess use fu l in si

,

l e n c in g po l it ica l oppos it i on in ma n y o t her l oca lit ies ,

e n abled M r M urray t o g o fro m pl ace t o place w it h his

.

m essage of salva t io n ; an d con s ider in g t h e d i s t rac t ed

,

s tat e of t he cou n t ry durin g t h e w ar he i s t o b e regarded ,

emin en t ly successful i n o bt ain in g so man y opport un it ies

for t h e u t t eran ce of his sen t im e n ts .

I n h i s t heol og ica l V ie w s M r M urray w as in heart y

.

accord w it h Ja m es Relly of Lon do n an d as w e shall

, , ,

see m ore full y fart her on w as very m uch d i s t urb ed an d

, ,

so met imes g reat l y emb i t t ered w he n an y ot her t heory

,

of Un iversal is m w a s advocat ed I n t h e fou n dat ion of.

his t heory M r Rell y w a s Calv in ist ic He accept ed t h e

,
. .

t he n co mm o n n ot i o n t ha t a ll m e n hav in g s in n ed i n
, ,

Adam j us t ly in curred et ern al damn at i o n an d t ha t Chri s t

, ,

had b orn e t h e in fin i t e g u ilt an d pun ishme n t of all w h o

should b e saved B u t i t w as n ot Clear t o h im t hat
.

t here w as an y g roun d of j us t i ce in t h e arb i t rary t ra n s

fer of t h is s in an d pe n al t y t o an in fin it el y pure b e in g .

He b elieved t he d ivin e record t hat t h e soul w h i ch sin “

n et h i t sha l l d i e
, ,a n d t ha t t h e in n oce n t sha ll n ot su ff er

in t h e place of t h e g u il t y H ow t hen cou ld a t ran sfer

.
, ,

of hu man s in an d pe n alt y t o Chris t be co n si s t e n t w i t h

t h at l a w ?
H ow cou l d i t b e recon ciled w it h e quit y ? The div in e
sovereign t y w it hou t re gard t o in here n t j us t ice in t he
,

plan coul d n ot accou n t for it ; for t h e ab so l u t e n ess

,

t ha t coul d se t j ust ice as i de m ig h t j us t as easily a n d ,

more merci fully have g on e st raig h t t o it s a im by re

, ,

mit t in g in st ead of t ran sferrin g sin an d it s desert s To .

say t hat t h e su ff eri n g s of Chri s t w ere merely a ccep ted as

sat i sfact i on for human d esert s o n ly r eckon ed as such b y
,
152 UNI VERSALI S M I N A M ERI CA .

God s sovere ign pl easure w as n o ade q ua t e exp lan ati on

’
, ,

sin ce t hey w ere t hus o n ly a fic t it ious n ot a real sat i s , ,

fact i on ; an d furt her an y su fferin g s w ha t ever eve n

, , ,

t hose o f a m a n w ou l d have an s w ered j u s t as w e ll as an

,

arb it rary accep t an ce of t h e coe q ual of God The perfect .

con s i s t e n cy of God s procedure it s a b sol u t e harmon y

’

w i t h j us t ice a n d e q u i t y Re ll y fou n d as he c la i m ed in
, , ,

such a rea l an d t horoug h u n io n of Christ w it h t he

human race as m ade t hei r act s his a n d h is t heir s All ’

m e n he he l d w ere rea ll y i n A dam an d s in n ed in h im

, , , ,

n ot b y a fict it i ous i mpu t at i o n b u t b y ac t ua l part icipa

,

t i on ; e q ua lly so are a ll me n i n t h e secon d A dam t he ,

head of e ve rv ma n an d he i s as j ust ly accoun t abl e for

,
”

w ha t t hey do as i s t h e head in t h e n at ura l b ody ao

coun t abl e for t h e deeds of all t h e m e m bers u n it ed t o

t ha t head A ccordin g ly Chris t in h i s corporat e capac
.
,

it y w as t ru l y g u il t y of t h e o ffe n ce of t h e human race

, ,

a n d cou l d be as he ac t ua ll y w as j us t l y pu n ished for it

, ,

an d t h e race b ecause of t his u n ion

,
rea l ly su ff ered in ,

h im a ll t h e pe n a lt y w hich he e n dured an d t hus fully ,

sa t isfied j us t ice There is n o m ore pun is hme n t t here

.
,

fore due for sin n or an y furt her occas i o n for de cl ar

, ,
~

in g t h e de ma n ds of t h e l a w excep t t o m ake m e n feel ,

t he i r i n abilit y t o o b ey a n d t hus compe l t hem t o a n ex

,

cl u s iv e rel ian ce on Chr i st t h e head He has e ff ect ed a .

co m pl e t e an d fi n i shed j ust ifi ca t i o n o f t h e w hol e w orld .

Whe n m an b eli eves t h i s he 15 freed from t h e sen se of ,

g u il t freed a l so from a ll dou bt an d fear

,
Un t il he be .

l ie ve s i t he i s w he t her in t h i s w orl d or in a n ot her

, , ,

un der t h e con dem n at i o n of u n b e l ief an d dark n ess t h e ,

o n ly con demn at io n n ow possibl e t o t h e human race .

I n illus t ra t i on a n d de fe n ce of t hese v i e w s M r Rel ly , .

 J OH N M U RRA Y . 15 3

w rot e a n dpubli shed several w orks an d he ev i den t ly ,

regarded M r M urray as an a bl e expon en t Of his t heory

.

of Redem p t ion Un der dat e Of “ Feb 1 3

.
Mr .
, .

Relly w rit es
I appeal t o G od t h e Fat h er O f our L ord J e sus C h rist
,

t hat I a m si n c e rely t h a n kful ev e n fro m t h e bot t o m of ,

my h eart for my de ar Brot her M urray

, M ay He m ake .

hi m a burn in g a n d a shi n i n g li g ht Fro m my e ar li e s t ac .

quain t an ce w it h h i m I co n sidered h im as a p olish e d shaft

,

i n t h e quiver of t h e A l m i g ht y an d t hou g ht h i m d e st i n ed ,

t o t h e w ork of t h e m i n is t ry ” 1 .

Of M r .urray s st yl e in advocat in g t h e Re llyan

M
’

t heory a n d so m e of t h e m e t hods Of i n t erpret a t io n w h i ch

,

he adop t ed t h e mos t sat isfact ory accou n t a n d crit ici s m

,

i s that give n by t h e l a t e Hosea Ball ou 2 d D D i n a n ,

. .
,

articl e i n t he U n iversalis t Q uart erly for Jan uary ,

1 848

I t w ould be difficult says Dr Ballou “ t o g ive an

,
”
.
,

ide a of his p ublic discourses t hey w ere so e x t e mp or e in ,

t h e i r charact er a n d so full of un expe c t e d far fe t c h e d c om

,
-

bi n at ion s N O m an ever exceeded h im in rap i dly w ea v in g

.

t og e t h er a w e b of t ext s co n n ect ed o n ly by t h e sli g h t es t

,

verbal relat io n s ; n o m an ever felt m ore co n fid e n t t han

h e O f t h e validi t y of such w orkm a n ship O ft e n h e bu t .

all e g oriz e d a S cript u r al in cide n t or circu m st an ce t hat su p

plied h im w i t h a f e w sle n der t h r e ads w hich g re w un der , ,

his de xt erous m an ufact ure i n t o t h e co m pl e t e g ar m e n t of

,

Un iversal S alvat io n The t ext Thou shalt m ake holy

.
,
‘

’
g ar me n t s for A aro n t h y brot he r for g lory a n d beaut y
, , ,

den ot ed t hat Christ is our hi g h priest t ypified by Aaro n ; ,

t h at his g a r me n ts are all m an ki n d for he clot h e d hi m self ,

1 The L adie s Re posit or

’
y ,
v ol . xiv .
p 19 2
. .
154 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

w it h our n at ure ; t hat w e are al l h ol y i n h im, for he is

m ade un t o us w isdo m san ct i fica t i on an d rede m pt io n ;
, ,

an d fin ally t hat his g ar m e n t s or all m an ki n d shall be

, , , ,

g lorious an d beau t iful 1

S o m e t i m es he illus t rat e d h i s
.

t ext by s t an dard poi n t s i n t h e Calvi n ist ic divi n it y B e .

hold t h e L amb of God t hat t aket h aw ay t h e s i n of t h e

,

w orld sho w s t hat t h e s i n w hich Christ p u t aw ay by his

"
,

deat h w as t hat O f t h e w hole w orld n ot of a part o n ly ; ,

a n d t hat all w ere t he n cefor t h free fro m pu n ishm e n t .

S om e t i m es a g ain he reaso n s on g e n eral pri n ci ples fro m

, , ,

t h e charac t er of God an d t h e force of m oral co n si der

a t i on s . T h is ho w ever is bu t seldo m ; his arg u me n t s
, ,

bein g usually a species Of m ere dialect ics I n t h e dis pu .

t at ion s t hat w ere forced upo n h im w herever he w e n t he ,

n ever failed ei t her t o co n vi n ce his O ppo n e n t s by sur

prisin g t urn s w hich see m e d t o fl ash ou t n e w li g ht on t h e

,

subj e ct or else t o perplex t he m by his adroit n ess an d

,

ecce n t ric ran g e of t hou g ht N ot t hat he resort ed t o .

t hes e m e t h ods by ar t ifice ; his ow n m i n d n at urally moved

i n t h e t rack w hich he follo w ed an d t h e e n t husiast ic ,

assuran ce t h at he felt i n t h e t rut h of his arg ume n t s a n d

illus t rat io n s g ave t he m force w it h his hearers .

“
We t hin k h e did n ot usually urg e t h e An t i n omian
bearin g s Of h i s doct ri n e qu it e so o ffe n sively as did Relly ,

t hou g h t h e vi ew s of bo t h w ere t h e sam e i n eff ect As .

i n dividual s all a r e equally co n de mn ed by G od s l a w ; as

,
’

m e mbers of Christ all are equally just ified , S in ce w e .

bore t h e full pe n alt y of divi n e j us t ice in C h rist s death ’

,

t here c an be n o m ore pu n ish m e n t for s i n t h e su ffe r in g s ,

t hat s t ill follow t ran s g ressio n bei n g o n ly it s n ecessary

co n seque n ce n ot it s pun ish men t This w as co n sidered
, .

an i m por t an t dis t i n c t io n Fait h in ou r u n io n w i t h .

‘ ’

Christ is requisit e t o free us fro m t h e fear of w rat h an d

fro m t h e feelin g of g uilt an d t his fai t h is att en ded w it h
,

1
L e t t e rs an d S k e t c h e s of S e r mon s , by Joh n M u rra y ,
v ol . iii p 1 1
. . .
 J OHN M URRA Y . 155

love t o God an d m a n as i t s n at ural fruit s bu t n ot as ,

Obedie n ce properly speaki n g , Of t h is lat t er w e ca n have .

n o n e sa ve t h at w hich is perfor m ed for us by our H e ad ’

.

A f e w are elect ed t o obt ain a kn ow led g e of t h e t rut h i n

t h is life an d t h ese g o i n t o Paradise i mm ediat e ly a t
,

de at h B u t t h e rest w h o die i n un belief depart in t o

.
, ,

dar kn ess w h e re t hey w ill re m ain un der t errible a pp re

,

h e n s ion s of God s w rat h u n t il t h ey are e n l i g ht e n ed T h ei r

’
.

suf ferin g s are n ei t he r pe n al n or disciplin ary bu t si mply ,

t h e e ff e ct of u n belief S o m e w ill be li e ve a n d be d e l i v
.

ered fro m t he ir dark n ess i n t h e in t er me d iat e st at e At .

t h e g e n e ral ju dg m e n t suc h as have n ot be e n previously

,

brought i n t o t h e t rut h w ill co me fort h t o t h e resurrect io n

O f dam n at io n ; a n d t hroug h i g n oran ce of Go d s pur p ose
’
, ,

t hey w ill call on t h e rocks a n d m ou n t ain s t o fall on t h e m ,

an d hide t he m fro m t h e face of H i m w h o si t t e t h on t h e

t h ron e w hile t h e elec t shall n ot be jud g ed a t all havi n g

’
, ,

already jud g e d t he m selves bu t shall sit on t h e t ribun al ,

con join t ly w i t h C h r ist Whe n t h e books shall be O p e n ed

.
‘
,
’

how e ve r i n w hich all act io n s are recorded e very m out h

, ,

shall be st opped an d t h e w h ole w orld beco m e g uilt y be

,

fore God Th en t h e Judg e w ill m ake t h e fin al s e par

.
’

at ion dividin g t h e sheep or un iversal h u man n at ure

,
‘
,
’
,

‘
from t h e g oat s w h ich are t h e fallen a n g els an d se n d t h e
,
’
,

latt er aw ay i n t o everlast in g fir e ‘
At t h e sa m e t i m e he .
’

w ill Ope n an o t her book t h e book of life i n w h ich all h i s

’
, ,

me mbers are recorded a n d h avi n g m ade hi m self kn o w n , ,

like Jose p h of old t o his i g n oran t t errifie d bre t hre n h e

, , ,

w ill rec e iv e all m an ki n d i n t o t h e kin g do m pre p are d for ‘

t h e m before t h e foun dat io n of t h e w orld For t h e de vils ’

.

1 “ y
I hav e g a t h e re d t his su m mar of his doct r in e s f r om his L e t t e rs
k
an d S e t c he s S e e a l s o, Lif e ( Whitt emore s e dit ion ,
.
’
pp 2 3 3 .

2 3 7 , w he re M rs M u rr a gi v e s a s u mm a r
. y
F or t h e pr oce s s O f t h e y .

G e n e ra l J u dg me n t , se e L e t t e rs an d S k e t c h e s , v ol i pp 9 5 , 1 14 , 2 7 9
. . .

2 83 ; ii 2 2 2 ,
. 2 4 8 ; iii 3 5 1 - 3 5 3
. . S e e L if e , A ppe n di x D [D r . .

B all ou
]
156 UNI V E RSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

t here is n o explicit pro mi se of release bu t M urray ev i '

de n t l y had a s e cre t hope i n t h eir favor on t h e g rou n d , ,

w e su ppose of w hat used t o b e called t h e u n cove n an t ed

,
‘

m ercies of God .
’

“
His m an n e r of in t erpre t i n g S cript ure w as very ex
t ra ordi n ary eve n w hen co mpare d w it h t h e exe g esis
,

ado pt ed in t h e O l d Presby t erian Co n fessio n of Fai t h I t .

ca n be m at ched ho w ever, by speci me n s fro m so me of t h e

,

earliest fat hers an d by usag es of so me rece n t t heo s oph

,

i st s
. L ike Relly he sees Christ e m bodyi n g all me n i n,

hi m self every w here in t h e Bible I n t his verse of t h e .

49 t h Psal m Wherefore should I fear i n t h e days of evil ,

,
‘

w he n t h e i n iquit y of m y h e e l s shall co m pass m e about

it is Christ w h o speaks m e an i n g by his h e e l s all man ,

kin d w h o w ere his low er me mbers ; accordin g ly it w as

, ,

his h ee l t h e heel Of t h e w o man s S eed w hich t h e S erpen t

,
’
,

w as t o bruise — t hat i s ma ki d
n n
2
,
Isaiah says , .

‘
Behold t h e Lord maket h t h e eart h e mp ty
,
t his w a s
w he n he w as lift ed up fro m t h e eart h an d dre w all m e n
‘
,

,
’
m
u n t o h im leavi n g t h e eart h e p y of he
t t m 3
N oah sen t .

fort h a raven fro m t h e ark (G e n t h e ark w as .

Christ co n t ain in g us an d t h e raven w as our u n clean

, ,

n ess w hich he p u t aw ay
,
t h e rave n bei n g an u n cle an ,

bird 4 These are bu t speci me n s of his i n t erpret at ion s

. .

He also see m s t o have adopt ed Relly s rule t o apply t o ’

,

Chris t every t ext i n w hich an yt hin g g ood is at t ribut ed

t o me n Thus all t h e beat it udes i n t h e be g i n n i n g Of
.
,

t h e S erm o n on t h e M ou n t are spoken o n ly of Christ ,

‘
Blessed are t h e poor i n spirit , t hey t hat m ourn ,

t h e m eek e t c for n o n e bu t Christ an sw ered t his de scri p

’
, ,
.

t io n . He t oo w as t h e blessed m an m en t io n ed i n t h e
, ,
‘
,
’

first Psal m w h o had n ot w al ke d in t h e coun sel of t h e

,
‘

1 L e tt e rs an d S k e t ch e s, i 3 86 , 3 87 ;
. n . 3 48 ; iii 3 5 8 . .

2 I bid 1 4 5 , 88 , 9 0
. . .

3 I bid i 89 . . .
4 I bi d i 48
. . .
 J OH N M U RRA Y . 157

un g odly n or st ood in t h e w ay Of sin n ers e t c 1 I n t h e use

, ,
’
.

of t h is rule ho w ever he w as by n o m ean s con sist e n t

, ,
.

They w h o had don e g ood an d should co me fort h t o t h e

‘
,

resurre ct io n of life w ere t h e believers w h o m i ght be ,

’
,

said i n a qual ified sen se t o have do n e g ood 2 S o m e

, ,
.

t i me s also Christ is spoke n of as w icked si n ce he w as

, , ,

made s in for us i n his corporat e capacit y as t h e Head ‘ ’ ‘

, ,

of ev e ry m an Thus w h e n Jere m iah says (xxx ) B e

.
’
, ,

h ol d t h e w hirl w i n d of t h e L ord g oe t h fort h w it h fury ; a

con t in uin g w h irl w in d it shall fall w it h pai n upo n t h e ,

h ea d of t h e w i c k e d i t is doubt ful w het her Christ t h e

’
, ,
‘
Head of our w icked race is m ean t or t hat w icked
’
, ,
‘ ’

on e spoke n of i n 2 Thess ii A s t h e requisit io n s of t h e

8
. .

l aw can be ful fil led by n o man i n his ow n perso n m an y ,

of t h e S cript ure i n jun ct io n s are accou n t ed for on w hat

may be called t h e rule of defian ce Thus t h e exh ort a .
,

t ion s S t rive t o e n t er i n at t h e s t rai t g at e w ork ou t

‘ ’ ‘
, ,

your ow n s alvat io n e t c w ere g i ven o n ly as challe n g es

,
’
.
, ,

t h at our i m po t e n ce t o perform t h e i m possibili t ies m i g ht

be t he m o re s e n sibly felt “ S o me p assag es of t h is kin d .
,

h ow ever he in t erpret s i n t h e n at ural w ay n ot w it h st an d

, ,

in g t h e c o n t rary de m an ds of his syst e m B u t w e m ust .

p as s on t o a m iscellan eous class of exa m ples T h e s on .

O f perdit io n w ho m alo n e our S aviour h a d lost (John

’ ‘
, ,

w as n ot Judas b ut t h e m an of s i n (2 Thess
‘ ’
.
,

or t h e devil w h o sit t et h i n t h e t e m ple of God (t h at is

,
’
,

i n our bo di e s w h ich are t h e t e mple of God

,
an d Chris t
‘
lost h i m w hen he p u t aw ay si n by h is O w n dea t h 6
’
.

Isaiah says Al l fl esh sh all co m e t o w orship before

‘

me sait h t h e L ord
, An d t hey shall g o fort h a n d look
.

upon t h e carcasses of t h e m e n t h at have t ran sg ressed

1 Le t t e rs an d S k e t c he s, i . B u t se e , al s o, iii 193 198,

.
-
a l at e r
k
s e t ch , w h e re t h is e x posit ion is s ome w h at modifie d .

2 I bid i 2 7 8—2 83
. . .
3 I bid i 3 8
. . .

4 I bid i 1 0 7 1 4 8 1 49
. .
, , .
5 I bid i 124—1 2 7
. . .
 158 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

a g ain st m e ; for t heir w orm shall n ot die n eit her shall ,

t heir fire be que n ched a n d t hey shall be a n abhorrin g ,

un t o all fl esh N ow t hese carcasses are t h e body of

.
’
,
‘ ’

s i n a n d deat h w hich cleaves t o every m an bu t w hich ,

shall be separat ed fro m our n at ure i n t h e last day a n d ,

be looked upon w it h abhorre n ce by all 1 The chaff

‘ ’
.
‘ ’

an d t h e t ares or childre n of t h e devil w hich are t o

’ ‘ ’
,

be separat ed fro m th e w heat or g ood seed an d t hen ‘

,
’
,
’

burn ed are t h e si n s of m an ki n d 2 Whe n Christ says,

, .

‘
Ren der u n t o C ae sar t h e t hin g s t hat are C ae sar s e t c ’
,
’
.
,

h e m ean s by C aesar t h e devil ; an d t h e doc t ri n e of t he

t ext is t hat all our si n s are t o be re n dered back t o t he
,

devil bu t ou r souls un t o God for t hey are Go d s 8

, ,
’
.

The abo m i n at io n of desolat ion st an din g i n t h e holy

‘

place is all kin ds of s in st an di n g or d w ellin g i n h u

,
’
, ,

m a n n at ure w hich has bee n m ade a holy place by

,
‘ ’

Christ all s in t hat is m in g led w it h God s purchased

,
-
’

possessio n The s in u n t o d e at h (1 Joh n

.
‘
1
is sin in
‘
,

g e n eral ; for t h e w a g es of s i n is ‘
d e a t h 5
The secon d .
’ ‘

deat h is t hat w hich w e suff ered i n Christ s crucifixio n ; ’

t h e first h avi n g t ake n place i n Ada m s fall “ The ma n i n ’

.

t h e parable w h o had n ot on a w eddin g g arm e n t w as t h e ‘ -

,
’

devil w h o shall be cast ou t speechless i n t h e day of

,
‘ ’

judg me n t e t c e t c 7 , .
, .

“
Fro m t h e fore g oin g sket ch it w ill be see n t hat his
Un iversalis m w a s based exclusively on t h e fact of t h e
U n io n of all m e n w it h Christ i n such a se n se t hat his
pun ish men t an d O bedie n ce w ere t heirs I t w a s bu t t h is .

on e idea un folded ou t t o i t s co m ple t e ext e n t He does .

n ot in deed, w holly overlook o t her con siderat i on s ; bu t

,

w he t her draw n fro m t h e charac t er of God fro m m oral

,

1 L e tt e rs an d S k e t ch e s, i 4 9 , 6 9 , 7 5 , 1 12 , 1 13
. .

2 I bid i 3 1 5 ; ii 3 4—3 6
. . . .
3 I bid i 5 1 , 1 1 5
. . .

4 I bid i 5 6 , 5 7
. . .
5
I bid i 44 . . .

0 I bi d ii 6 2
. . 7 I bi d i 5 8 . . .
 J OH N M URRAY . 15 9

prin ciples or fro m t h e direct disclosures w hich t h e

,

Scri pt u res g ive of t h e fi n al s t at e of t h i n g s i n t h e divi n e

econ o my t hey w ere all of quit e seco n dary im port an ce
,

w it h hi m In deed w it h his view s of j us t ice a n d o f God s

.
,
’

l aw eve n t h e ar gu m e n t s w hich he did so m e t i m e s i n fer

,

fro m t h e divi n e perfect io n s w e re qu est io n able t hou gh ,

h e does n ot s e e m t o have be e n aw are of t h e lo g ical i n con

s is t e n cy There w a s a lat e n t co n sciousn ess ho w ever
.
, ,

t hat held h i m back fro m re st i n g t h e fi n al result on t his

groun d B u t the Un io n w as suffi ci e n t of it self ; it

‘ ’
.

m ade t h e result a fact already fi n ished in realit y n ee d ‘

,

in g n o furt her co n fir m at io n .

His rigi d adhere n ce t o t h i s t heory w as advan t ag eous

t o him in som e respect s f or it furn i shed a suffic i e n t ,

reply in his j udgme n t t o w hat ever arg u m en t or oh

, ,

je ct ion migh t b e urg ed again st t h e doct rin e of t h e fi n al

subj ect io n Of all souls ; bu t it n ot u n fre q uen t l y placed
h im a t a dis advan t ag e an d gave occas io n t o h is oppo ,

n e n t s t o say t ha t he w as i n co n s i s t e n t an d a t t imes ,

den ied w hat a t o t her t imes he had in si st ed on as t ru t h .

Thus Rev M r Crosw ell of Bos t o n in h i s pam phle t

, . .
, ,

publ ished in 1 7 7 5 e n t it led M r M urray U n m as k d “ ”

’

, , .
,

said
M r Joh n M urray a li t t le before his lat e evan g elizi n g
.
,

t our t o t h e E as t w ard w hile preachi n g w as pleased t o i n

,

form his audi t ory t hat he had bee n m is r epre se n t ed as

h ol di n g Un ive rs a l S a l va t i on declari n g he did n ot hold ,

t h a t doc t ri n e bu t o n ly U n iversal Rede mpt io n ”

, .

M rs M urray in her con t in uat i on Of her husb an d s ’

.
,

M e m oir t hus a lludes t o t h e charg e a n d accoun t s

”
, ,

for it :
He has freque n t ly said h e di d n ot be li e ve i n Un i ve rs a l
S a l va t i on because he s a w t h e m aj orit y of m an ki n d w ere
,
1 60 UNI V ERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

n ot s a ve d he w a s a fir m believer i n UN I V E R S AL
. B ut

RE D E M PT I O N because t h at sacre d volum e w hich he

, ,

st eadfast ly an d un w ave rin g ly believed t o be t h e w ord of

G od assure d h i m t h e p r ice w as paid an d t h e w hol e
, ,

hum an fam ily w a s r ed e e med .

“
I t w a s t h e n e g lec t i n g t o dist in g uish bet w ee n sa lva
t i on an d r e de mp t i on w h ich so freque n t ly dre w upon t h e
preach er t h e charg e of prevar icat io n or as it w as t erm ed , ,

by M r Cros w ell hidi n g An art icle of i n t el li g e n ce

.
,
.

m ay be a n e s t a blis h e d f a ct i t m ay m ost i m port an t ly

affect us ; bu t so lo n g as t h e m in d refuses t o ad mit it s
aut hen t icit y w e a r e un den iably subj e ct ed t o all t hose
,

ag o n izi n g apprehen sion s w hich w e should e n dure if n o

such fact exist ed An d it w as t h e s alvat io n fro m t hese
.

m e n t al suff eri n g s w hich M r M urr ay s u pposed co n seque n t .

upon a preached g ospel ; i n o t her w ords an exempt ion

,
,

fro m t hose t ort ures t hat co n sciousn ess of con de mn at io n

,

w hich is m ost e m phat ically described w he n i t is said He ,

w h o belie vet h n ot is or shall be da m n ed , , .

Ye t it is a n est ablished t rut h t h at every be l ie ver w as ,

o n ce an u n be l i e ve r every believer t he n w as on ce damn ed , , ,

a n d it w as o n ly w he n h e becam e a b e liever t hat he w a s

s a v e d fro m t hose coun t less ag o n ies w hic h erst t i mes

pie rced h im t hrou gh w it h m an y sorrow s B u t he w as .

r e d e e m e d t h e price w as paid ere ever he w a s called i n t o

, ,

exist en ce Thus in t his V ie w rede m pt io n an d salvat ion

.
, ,

are dis t in ct con s id er a t i on s ” 1 .

M r . M urray very Clear in maki n g t h i s

w a s at t i m es

d is t in ct io n bu t at ot her t im es he w a s a t l east very u n

,

g uarded in his speech a n d used th e t w o w ords as t houg h ,

t hey w ere perfec t sy n o n yms .

“ ”
There is n o possibilit y he said on on e occa sion of , ,

reco n cilin g S cript ure t est i m o n ies except w e di scrim in at e ,

1 Lif e of Re v . Joh n M u rr a y , p p 40 0 , 40 1
. .
 J OHN M URRAY . 16 1

bet w een the s a l va t ion b

e l ie ved an d the s a l va ti on con s a

q be l i e vi n g
u e n t up on The first is li ke t h at all su ffici e n t
.
-

Re de eme r, by w ho m it is w rought ou t an d com ple t ely

fin ished ; it is t h e same yest erday, t o day , an d fore ve r, -

en durin g con t in u all y et ern ally abidin g ; , y e a, a l t h ou g h w e

bel ie ve n ot , Ch r is t J esu s r e m a in et h
f a it
hf u l If, lik e
.

Pe t e r w e should d en y t h e L ord w hose purchased w e are

, , ,

st ill he w ill n ever de n y hi ms e lf ; such is t h e charact er of

t he fi r st s al vat ion of t h e salvat ion beli e ved
, B u t t he .

secon d sa l va t ion or t h e s alvat ion con se qu en t on be l ie vi n g

,

th is t rut h is an O perat ion of or upon t h e m i n d of man ;

, ,

an d t h is s a l va t ion is ever fl uct uat i n g, ever u n s t able like ,

th e bein g w it h w hom it is fou n d 1

”
.

“
I have n o doct ri n e ” he said on an ot her occasion , ,

bu t t h e doct rin e t aught by God t h e S avi our I reject .

e very doct ri n e w hich t h e m out h of t h e L ord hat h n ot

spoken The apost o l ic churches w e re for m ed by pro

.

f e ssor s of t h e doct rin e of U n iv e rsal Rede mp t ion Jesus .

C hris t an d his apos t l es pre ac hed an d defen ded t h i s doc

trin e . All t h e w rit ers of revelat io n w ere st ro n g in t h e
faithf ul be li ef of t h e doct rin e of Un iversal S alvat ion ” 1 .

On an ot her occas i on , h e w as me t b y a g en t l e m an
.

w h o sa i d

I have heard sir, t hat you pu bl icly advocat e t h e doc

,

t ri n e of Un i ver sa l S a lva t i on ” a n d t he n af t er t h e expres , ,

sion of surprise at such a report asked h im, “ Is t h e ,

re port t rue M r M urray repli ed, “ Yes, s ir, it is

.

in deed very t rue ” 3 .

So, in a serm on on Rom iv . . 25, he seems to ign ore

his favori te d ist in ct i on
E it her, t herefo re , J esus Chri st w as delivered up for
1 Le tt e rs an d S k e tc h e s, iii 19 2
. .
9 I bid
. 11 . 42 2 .

I bid 1 2 46
. . .

V OL. I " 11
 1 62 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

my off e n ces an d r aised ag ai n for my just ificat io n or h e ,

w a s n ot If he w e re I a m t o all in t en t s a n d purpose s
.
,

saved in Jesus Christ w it h an everlast i n g salvat ion If .

he w ere n ot I am t o all i n t e n t s an d purposes doo m ed t o

,

everlast in g m isery ” 1 .

Co n cern in g a con versat ion w hi ch he had w it h a very

in t ell ig en t w o m an w h o arg ued ag ain st Un iversali sm he ,

records
As
fast as she made her proposit ion s I en deavored t o
an s w er an d t o prove by plai n S cript ure illust rat io n s from
, , ,

e ve ry t es t i m o n y she i n t roduced h e r s a l va t i on a n d t h e ,

fi n al salvat io n of all m e n ” 2 .

An o t her in st an ce occurs a sermon preached by

in
h i m from t h e t ext , By g race ye are saved He t hus .
”

report s a sy n ops is of it

1 st . Wh at are w e t o un derst an d by grace Ce rt a i n l y,

favor Wh at by t h e g race of God
. U n doubt edly t h e ,

favor of God Th us t h e g race of God brin g et h salvat ion

.
, .

2dl y What is t h e salvat io n w hich is acco mplishe d

.

by t h e g race of God I t is n ot a t e m poral it is a spirit ,

u al salvat io n ; n ei t her is i t a t e m porary salvat io n i t is ,

a n e t e r n al salvat io n fir m an d e n duri n g as i t s O mn ipo t en t

,

a n d S e lf exis t i n g Au t hor
-
.

-
3 dl y For w ho m is t his salvat ion ?
. Wh o are t hey
t hat are saved by g race This is i n deed an i mport an t
quest io n m uch t oo i m port an t t o be an s w ered on t h e
,

aut horit y of t h e creat ure L e t us repair t o t h e foun t ain .

head an d in quirin g O f t h e oracles of t rut h t h e an s w er

, , ,

w hich w e shall receive fro m t h e lip of divi n e v e raci t y

should most assuredly be est ablished should be rece ived ,

w i t h all accept at ion .

1 L e tt e r s an d S k e t ch e s, i 327
. .
1 I bid i 3 46
. . .
 J OHN M URRAY . 1 63

Who are t hey t hat are save d by g race All m an

k i n d ; because all h a ve si n n ed a n d i n t h ei r ow n charac ,
~

t e rs can n ot de m a n d sal v at io n All m an ki n d ; be cau s e .

ou r S aviour died for all m e n because he g ave hi m s e lf a ,

ran so m for all m e n because i t is t h e w ill of God t hat all

,

me n shoul d be saved a n d co me un t o t h e k n o w le dg e of hi s
t rut h because G od w a s i n Christ reco n cili n g t h e w orl d
,

un t o him self n ot i mpu t in g un t o t h e m t h e i r t re spass e s

, .

“
B u t w he n w as t h is g race exe m plified At w hat
pe rio d w ere all m e n saved ? Wh ile t he y w ere dea d in
t re s p asses a n d si n s S o says t h e co n t ext ; w h ile w e w e r e
.

y e t sin n ers i n du e t i m e Christ died for t h e un g odly

, ,
” 1
so says t h e Holy G os t in m an y passag es
h .

It is evi den t from t hese ext rac t s t hat t h e n egl ect in g

t o di st in gu ish of w hich M r s M urray co m p lain s w as
,
.
,

n ot alw ays t h e fau lt of t h e be ar e r .

I n t h e su mmer of 1 7 7 6 M r M urray v i s it e d Phil a de l ,

.

phia an d w hile in t hat regi on pu bli shed from t h e

,

Lon don edit ion t h e Christ ian H y m n s P oems an d , ,

Spir it ual So n g s S acred t o t h e Praise Of God our Savi our

, .

B y Jam es an d John Relly at Burli n g t o n N J T he , ,

. .

charact er of t h is b ook an d t h e use m ade of it by t h e,

Un iversalis t s in A meri ca w ill b e describ ed in an o t her ,

volume I t is m e n t ion ed here as aff ord in g a n opp or

.

t u n it y of n ot in g so m e of t h e p laces in w hich n umbers

of Un iversal ist s w ere a t t hat t i me t o b e foun d Ap .

pen ded t o t h e Hy m n s i s a li s t of t h e sub scribers for

th e b ook w i t h t h e n umb er O f copies t aken b y each
, The .

t ot al n u m ber O f t h e form er w as t w o hun dred an d t w e n t y

t hree sub scr ibin g for four hun dred a n d s i xt y eig h t
,
-

copies P rovide n ce R I l eads in t h e n umb er of su bscrib

.
,
.

ers fort y seven t ak in g eig ht y t hree cop ies ; Gl ouces t er

,
- -

1 Le t t e rs an d S k e t ch e s, i 3 70
. .
1 64 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

M as s leads in th e n um b er Of cop i es n in et y t hree be in g

, ,
-

t ake n b y t h ir t y —e igh t su b scrib ers Then co m e N or w ich .

,

C t f ort y s ix su b scrib ers e ig h t y t hree cop ies ; P ort s

.
,
-
,
-

mout h N H t w en t y eig ht su b scrib ers t h i rt y eight

,
. .
,
-
,
-

cop ies ; Bost on M as s s ix t ee n su b scrib ers t hir t y eigh t

, , ,
-

cop i es ; N e w Lon don Ct fift ee n su b scrib ers fort y cop ies ; , .

, ,

Ph il adelphia Pa a n d N e w R oc he ll e N Y each fur

, , ,
. .
,

n ish e d si x su b scr ib ers ; E as t Gree n w i ch R I four ; ,

. .
,

Iml ays Tow n N J t hree ; Cran b erry an d Burlin gt on,

.
,

N J each t w o ; Barn eg a t an d Al l e n t o w n N J N e w
.
, , . .
,

York an d K in g s b ridg e N Y Coven t ry Kil li n g s w ort h

, , . .
, , ,

Guilford an d Pom fret Ct Rox b ury M as s an d N ew port

, ,
.
, , ,

R . I each
.
,
on e .

S ome t ime durin g t h e year 1 7 7 7 prob abl y n ot l on g ,

-

aft er Ge n eral Green e s cert ificat e con cern in g M r M u r ’

.

ray s s t an d in g w h il e in t h e arm y had pu t a s t op t o t h e

’

polit ical O pposit i o n in G l oucest er M r M urray aga in , .

vis ite d P ort sm out h N H w here he in du ce d M r N oah ,

. .
, .

Parker a respect abl e mechan i c of t hat t ow n t o en t er

, ,

t h e min is t ry M r Parker w as b orn M arch 1 7 1 7 34

. .
, .

He received a g ood educat io n says M r Ch arles W , . .

” “
Bre w st er i n his Ram bles about Port s mout h
“
,
aft er ,

w hich he C h ose t o learn a t rade ; bu t t hou g h w orki n g

several hours a day at his t rade h e w a s a profoun d ,

st ude n t a n d becam e w ell versed i n al l t h e lit erat ure of

,

t h e day He w as a m an of u n boun ded liberalit y of feel

.

i n g carryi n g his chari t y so far beyo n d his m ean s t hat

,

he w ould so m et im es borro w t o aid on e i n w an t t rust in g ,

”
t o Provide n ce for t e
h m ea s of repayi g
n n .

H e pro b a bl y ever rece ived ord in at ion bu t co n t in uedn ,

t o w ork in h i s shop as a bl ack an d w h it e smi t h He at .

on ce g at hered a co n greg a t i on in a schoo l house in Port s -

 NOAH PARKER AND I SAAC D AVI S . 1 65

mon t h, h i s co n gregat ion reg u larly assem bl ed a

w here

f e w years an d t he n for a w h il e occ u p i ed t h e San de

,

man ian meet in g house I n 1 7 84 t hey erec te d a n e w

-
.
'

house o f w orshi p in w hi ch M r Parker co n t in ued t o

, .

be t hei r m in is ter t ill h is deat h Au g 1 7 1 7 87 H is , .

, .

min is t ry w as grea t ly bles sed a n d w as emi n e n t l y s u c ,

ce ssi n l He w a s a decided Re llyan an d w as m u ch

.
,

be l oved an d respect ed by M r M urr ay w it h w hom he .

,

fre quen t ly exchan g ed pu l p it services M rs M urray . .

w as en t hus ias t i c in her adm ir at i on o f him a s an ex

e mpl ary phil an t hrop is t .

M r M urray n o dou b t supposed t hat M r P arker a n d

. .

himself w ere t h e on l y pre achers of U n iversa l Sal vat i o n

in th e coun t ry at t ha t t im e B u t in N ovem b er 1 7 7 7 .
, ,

Dr Isaa c Davi s a m edical pract it i o n er w h o had b een

.
, ,

a preacher O f th e doc t rin e several years died He w as ,

.
,

it is b e lieved a n at ive of Win dsor Con n w here he re

, , ,

sided several years bu t lat er in l ife an d t o it s cl ose h i s , ,

home w as in Somers in t h e sam e St at e Rev Samu el

,
. .

Peters in his Gen era l H is t ory of Con n e c t i cut pub

,
“ ”
,

lishe d in 1 7 80 me n t i on s ( edit i on o f 1 87 7 p
, , .

amon g the s e c t s as ex is t in g in t hat St at e th e Davi s

“
,

t each U n iversal S a l vat i on an d de n y t h e

”
on ian s who,

exist en ce o f a he ll or dev il s H ow n umerous t h i s sect.

”

w as an d w hat t he ir form of org a n iz a t i on if t hey had

, ,

an y is n ot n ow kn o w n
,
Th e prob a bili ty i s t ha t it s
.

n umb ers w ere sma ll an d t hat i t did n ot l o n g surv i ve

t he dea t h o f it s f oun der .

Re v Thomas Wh i tte more in a M e m oir o f t h e U n i

. ,

versali st S oc i et y in O x ford M as s pu bli shed in vo l v i

, ,
. .

of the U n iversali st M i scellan y 1 849 said ,

”
,

“ The doct ri n e of U n ive rsalis m had been preached in

1 66 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

Oxford lon g b efo re 1 7 85 , t h e dat e of t h e l e g al org an

i z at ion of t h e soc i et y T h e at t e n t ion of cert ai n i n di
v idu al s i n t his t o w n w a s firs t draw n t o t h e subject of

Un ivers ali s m by t h e con versat io n s of on e Dr Isaac .

Davis, w h o visit ed t h at pla c e f rom S o m ers, i n Con n e ct i

cu t . He ag e d m an ; an d i t is said
w as , at t his t i m e, an
he had w rit t en a book upo n t h e subject We have n e ve r .

see n t h i s book, bu t t hese st at e m en t s i n reg ard t o Dr .

Davis are made on t h e st ren gt h of t he t est i mon y of th e

ag ed Un iversal ist s of Oxf ord w h o w ere livi n g in t he year
1 82 7 , at which t ime t h e aut h or of t his art icle first visit ed
t hat t o w n t o gle an al l t h e fac t s t h at coul d b e foun d in
”
re g ar d t o t h e early hist ory of Un iversalism th ere .

The Rev An so n T it us w h o has sought t o coll ect facts

.
,

w i t h reg ard t o Dr Dav i s says t hat . it is a ls o t radi ,

t ion al amo n g t h e desce n dan t s o f Dr Dav i s in Somers

”
.
,

t hat he w rot e such a b ook .

Prob ably Dr Dav i s s vi sit t o O x ford w as du rin g the

.
’

revo lu t i on ary w a r as i n 1 7 7 5 severa l memb ers o f the

,

St an din g Order pari sh i n O xford chan ged t heir re

”

l ig iou s se n t im e n t s som e o f w hom dec lared t hemselves

,
“

o f t h e sect o f Un i versalis t s accordin g t o Whit n ey s ” ’

H ist ory Of Worce st er Co u n t y as qu ot ed b y M r ,

”
.

Ti t us in an art icl e in t h e Un ivers alis t Q u art erly for

,

O ctob er 1 881 , We have n o furt h er in format ion w it h

.

re g ard to Dr Davis b . u t i t is ev ide n t t hat he w as ac ti ve

,

an d in fluen t ia l .

Adams St reet er an d C a l e b Ri ch began t o preach

ab ou t th is t ime I t i s difficult t o det erm in e w hi ch o f
.

t hem w as fi rs t in t h e w ork The fi rst w as b orn in Fram .

in gham M ass Dec 3 1 1 7 3 5 He su bs e qu e n tl y re

, , .
, .

s ided in Dou gl as O xford an d M il ford The l at e Rev

, , . .

Dr Ball ou says Un iversa li s t Q uart erly vo l v p 9 3)

.
,
”
. . .
 ADAM S ST REET ER . 167

t ha t M r. formerly a Bapt i s t m in i st er an d
St reet er w as ,

became a Un iversali st in 1 7 7 7 or I n t h e reso

l ut ion s passed b y t h e O xford societ y preli m in ary t o ,

t heir org an iza t i on A pri l 2 7 1 7 85 t hey say t hat t hey

, , ,

“
have for a n u mb er of years past assem bled on t h e
Sabb at h day for pub l ic w orsh ip an d have a t t en ded t o
-
,

the in s t ruct ion s of Rev Ada m s St ree t er an d support ed .

,

him by free con t r ib ut i o s fro i e 1 ”

n m t m
i e t o t m In .

Aug us t of t h e sam e year M r S t reet er s n ame appears

'

,
.

in t h e lis t of t h e m em b ers of t h e U n iversa l is t S ociet y

at M il ford Duri n g t h e year 1 7 85 he see m s t o have
.

divided hi s services b e t w een M il ford O xford a n d Prov , ,

iden ce R I I n 1 7 86 as Rev El han an Wi n ches t er

,
. .
, .

w as t o S pen d t h e w i n t er a t Provide n ce t h e soc i e t y a t ,

Bos t on request ed t he Providen ce frie n ds t o di spe n se “

w it h M r St ree t er s v is it s a t t h e usua l periods duri n g

’
.

t h e w in t er he e n gag in g t o re n e w t he m ag ain w he n M r
, .

Win chest er is ab ou t t o l eave you I n Ju n e t h e ar .

ran gemen t s at Prov ide n ce w ere ren ew ed an d con t in ued ,

t ill t h e t im e of M r St ree t er s deat h U n der dat e of ’

. .

Sep t 1 4 1 7 86 M r An dre w s c lerk Of t h e Provide n ce

.
, , .
,

Socie t y co mmun i cat ed t h e follow in g t o Rev M r Win

,
. .

chest er
At prese n t w e a r e in a st at e of mourn in g fr om bei n g
de prived by d e at h of t h e usual visit s p aid us by F r ien d
St re et er H e on t h e road co m in g t o visi t us on S at urday
.
,

before t h e fourt h S un day i n Au g ust fell sick of a bilious ,

disorder at t h e house of St ephe n Whipple i n S mit h fie l d , ,

an d di e d t h e S at urday e ve n i n g follo w i n g re t ain in g t o ,

his last hi s re aso n an d great fort it ude ” .

At w ha t t i me M
’
r . M urray made Mr . S t ree t er s ac
1 U n ive rs al ist M isce ll an y ,
184 9 , v ol . vi .
p 3 15
. .
1 68 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

q uain t an ce is n ot kn o w n bu t he est eemed h im h igh ly , ,

as d id t h e co n greg at io n in Bos t on .

Cal eb Ri ch w a s b orn in S u t t on M ass Aug ust 1 2 , , ,

1 7 5 0 of s t rict Con g reg a t i on a l pare n t s

, From h i s aut o .

bi og raphy pu bli shed in t h e Can d i d Examin er at

,
“
,
”

M o n t rose Pe n n 1 82 7 t h e foll o w in g fac t s w it h reg ard

, , ,

t o h i s life are g lean ed Whe n he w a s n ot m ore t han

.

n in e or t e n years ol d he b eg an t o b e t ort ured w i t h t h e

fear of he ll I oft en l ooked upo n in sect s an d poi so n ous

.
“

rep t il es t h in k in g h ow much b e t t er t he ir l ot w as in t hi s
,

w or l d t ha n m in e S O he co n t in ued a gr ea t par t O f t h e
.

t ime t il l seve n t een or e ig h t ee n years Of ag e w he n he , ,

says I got hol d O f t h e first lin k in t h e chai n Of causes

,
“

t hat l ed me in t o Un iversal ism Before t h i s ho w ever, ”

,
.

his fat her had b ecome a Bapt is t w h il e h is mo t her st ill ,

re m a in ed a Co n g reg a t i o n al ist I t w as t h i s d iv i s i o n in .

t h e fam ily an d t h e t w o diff ere n t meet in g s t hey at

,

t en ded t ha t seems t o have s e t Ca l e b on in qu i ry

,
.

Heari n g it said t hat t here w ere more t han a hu n dred

diff ere n t de n o m in a t ion s he saw bu t lit t le chan ce of ,

g e t t in g t h e t ru t h fro m t w o on ly n ame l y Bapt i s t s an d , ,

Con g reg at ion ali st s He t herefore reso l ved t o s t udy t h e

.

B ib le for hi m sel f earn es t ly pray in g God t o gi ve h im

,

u n derst an d in g of i t Th i s h e pract ised severa l years ;

.

an d soo n aft er b eg in n in g w a s sat i s fied t ha t t h e Con gre ,

at i on al i st s w ere w ro n g ab ou t i n fa n t spr i n k lin g b e in g

g
t h e a n t i t ype Of circumc i s i o n Whe n ab ou t t w en t y on e .
-

he l eft h i s fa t her s t o go t o Warw ick t o occupy a n e w

’

farm ab out S ix t y miles di s t an t B i dd in g fare w ell t o .

h i s paren t s an d frien ds he s t art ed in a very m el an choly

,

mood ; an d w he n he had t ravelled ab ou t fift een miles ,

t h i s w as sw a ll o w ed up in t h e mos t d i s t ress i n g fear of

 CALEB RI C H . 1 69

hell Prayin g as he t ravell ed he w e n t ab ou t fift ee n

. ,

miles fur t her a n d w as part ia lly re lieved ; t his he t ook

,

t o b e con vers i on A t Warw i ck he assoc iat ed w it h t h e

.

Bapt is t s an d advoca t ed t he ir cause Aft er som e t ime

,
.

a con versat i o n w it h his bro t her w it h w hom he boarded , ,

about God s grace sho w ed h i m his ow n hypocrisy an d

’

, ,

t his drove h i m i n t o n e w t or t ure He prayed lo n g an d .

,

at l e n g t h it w as su gg es t ed t o h im t ha t his pray e r w as

alt og e t her se lfish as it w as o n l y fro m fear of hel l

,
.

Then he prayed for a be t t er mo t i ve bu t fou n d t hat t his ,

prayer w as o n l y from t h e sa m e fear O f he l l ; an d so he

co n cluded t hat he coul d do n ot hin g bu t fro m some se lfish
mo t ive a n d g ave him self up t o God
, He t hen had .

a vision w hi ch resu l t ed in h i s firm assuran ce an d ac qui

,

e sce n ce in God s w i ll A ft er t his he n ever cou l d b ear

’
.

t o hear t h e fear Of he ll me n t i on ed as a m o t ive t o make

me n reli g ious He s t ill adhered t o t h e Bap t is ts a n d
.
,

read th e S cr ipt u re s d ili g en t ly Then he w as t augh t in

'

a drea m t o fo ll o w n o man n ot eve n t h e Bap t is t s an d

,

th is drea m he re garded as from t h e ou t pourin g of God s

’

spirit upon hi m He d i d n ot y e t see t ha t all m e n

.

w ou l d b e sav ed bu t t ook up a n o t ion fro m t h e t hir d

,

chap t er of Gen esis t hat all m e n w h o w ere creat ed in

,

Ada m a n d fe ll in or d i ed in h im w ould in fallib ly b e

, ,

res t ored a n d made alive in Chri s t w hile t hose w h o ,

w ere added t o our firs t pare n t s af t er t heir fa ll I w il l

great ly m ul t iply t h y co n cep t i on an d sorro w s w ou l d

cease t o exi s t aft er t h e deat h of t h e body T h ese .

view s he com m u n icat ed t o his Bapt i s t bre t hren hopin g ,

t hat t hey w ould b e a source O f reli ef t o t hem as t hey ,

had b een t o h i m se l f ; bu t t hey caused co m m ot io n an d

raised great Opposit i o n an d on accou n t o f t hese sen t i
,
170 UNI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI CA .

men t s Cal eb an d hi s b ro t her N at ha n i el w ere n ot per

mit t e d t o b e b apt iz ed n or t o b e l on g t o t h e soc i e ty it se lf
, .

There w as a l so a Joseph Goode ll in t h e same con dit io n .

These t hree formed a socie t y Of t he ir ow n b y legal ,

w arra n t an d procedure ; an d in on e year t he i r soc ie t y

in creased t o t e n mem bers The secon d year t h e revo

.

l u t i on ary w a r b roke ou t an d Cal e b w it h ma n y o t hers

,

w ere ca ll ed t o g o dow n t o Le x in g t on j us t aft er t h e ,

bat t le Here he e n l is t ed for eig h t m on t hs bu t got a

.
,

sub st it u t e an d w e n t t o h i s b ro t her ih la w s at O xford

,
- -
’
.

D u rin g t hi s e ig h t mo n t hs he an d ot hers w h o had come

in t o his v ie w s hel d pr ivat e meet in g s in O x ford an d
S u t t on w it h some t i mes t h ir t y hearers
, They w en t .

from house t o house an d some t im es co n t in ued t heir

,

mee t in g s t ill m id n ig h t a n d eve n day b reak d w elli n g

,
-
,

on t h e prom i se made t o Ab raham Isaac a n d Jacob , , ,

a n d rea din g t h e 1 1 t h chap t er of Ro m an s Durin g t h is .

t im e he w e n t o n c e t o Thompson Con n T he peopl e ,

.

had heard O f hi m an d w i shed h i m t o preach a sermo n ;

,

bu t as he n ever had p r ea che d as i t is call ed be con , ,

sen t ed t o expo u n d t h e S cri pt ures t o t hem w h ich he did

for t h e g rea t er part O f a day an d g ain ed some proselyt es
,
.

Whe n his e igh t m on t hs exp ir ed a t O xford our bret h ,

re n i n S u tt o n O xford Charlt on D ud l ey a n d Dou gl as

, , , ,

amou n t ed as I S houl d j udg e t o fort y or fi ft y person s

, ,
.

He t he n ret urn ed t o Warwi ck w here he experie n ced a ,

g reat t ria l w it h re gard t o h i s in t e n ded w ife her fa m ily ,

b e in g m uch Opposed t o him on accoun t O f h i s religi ous

v i ew s
, t ill he co n ver t ed t he m an d t hey con sen t ed t o
,

t h e u n io n .He w as married in Jan uary 1 7 7 8 The ,

.

fo ll o w in g April he had a v i sio n or dream b y w hi ch he ,

w a s b roug ht t o see h i s mis t ake a b out t hose chi l dren Of

 C ALEB RI C H . 171

Eve b ein g an n ih il at ed w h o w ere b orn aft er her t ra n s

gres sion He w a s n ow
. co n firmed in t h e be lief of t h e
salvat i on of a ll m e n t ha t t h e firs t Ada m an d every
, ,

in d ividual of his pos t erit y from t h e b egin n in g of t h e

,

w orl d t o t h e e n d d i d as t ru ly an d pos it ive ly pass w it h

,

an d in Chr i s t from dea t h t o li fe a n d b ecame he irs of ,

t he in herit an ce N ow he fe l t h imse lf call ed on t o

preach He had heard of a M r M u rray at Cape An n
. .
,

bu t had n ever seen hi m n or had an y co m m un icat io n

from hi m He fel t grea t emot io n a t th e t houg h t of
.

preach in g bu t had an o t her dream t ha t e n couraged hi m

,
.

I n ab ou t a mon t h ( pro b a bly in M ay 1 7 7 8) he b eg a n t o ,

preach a t Warw ick a n d t here w as soon a co n siderable

,

addit i on t o his soci et y S oon he w as call ed upo n t o

.

preach at Rich m on d N H at st at ed t imes an d col

,
. .
, ,

l e c te d a co n sidera bl e soc iet y t here Thomas Barn s cam e .

over fro m Ja ff re y in t h e same St at e ou t of curi os it y ;

, ,

w as co n vin ced an d in v it ed M r R i ch t o Jaff ray w here

,
.
,

con siderabl e n u m bers w ere soon gat hered A mee t in g .

Of a Ge n eral S oci e t y w as short ly aft er ca ll ed a t Ri ch

m on d w hen M r R ich w as chose n m in is t er a regul ar

, .
,

chu rch w a s formed an d t hree deaco n s appo in t ed

,
on e ,

from Warw i ck on e fro m Ri ch m on d an d on e from Jaff

, ,

rey Church d i sc iplin e w as est a bli shed an d an an n ual

.
,

meet in g w a s appoin t ed a t R ich m o n d At t his an n ual .

meetin g l ette rs of li ce n se t o preach w ere g ive n an d ,

ord in at i on s w ere so l emn ized .

At of t h e se an n ual m ee t in g s says M r Rich

on e ,
.
,

“ af er I
t h a d preach ed about t h ree y ea r s it w as a g re e d ,

t hat brot he r C Ric h shou ld rec e ive public ordi n at io n as

.

mi n ist er of t h e u n i t ed socie t y of Warw ick Rich m o n d , ,

an d Jaff r e y , a n d w hereve r he should b e called by divi n e

172 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Provide n ce We se n t for E lder A da m s St ree t er t o assist

.

at sai d ordi n at io n S aid S t ree t er h a d bee n ordai n ed i n

.

t h e Bapt is t order His fait h w as i n creased t ill it became

.

Abraham ic a n d accordin g ly t h e ordin at io n w a s att e n ded

i n Ric h m o n d acco m pan ied w it h abou t t hree h u n dred
,

people a n d as I con sidered myself le gall y aut horized I ,

scrupled n ot t o sole mn ize t h e ordin an ce of m arriage .

B u t t his could n ot fail t o g i ve g reat O ff e n ce t o t h e C on

g r e g at i on al S ocie t y i n War w ick an d t h e first deaco n of ,

said chu rch ca m e t o i n for m m e t hat every dollar t hat I

t ook for m arryi n g people i n t hat t o w n t ook so m uch by
fraud fro m t heir mi n ist er Ye t sai d he f if you w ill
.
,
’
,

a g ree t o do S O n o m ore I w ill pro m ise n ot t o prosecut e ,

'

you for pa st Off en ces A s he w as n o m ore a t o w n min

.
’

ist e r t han I w as w e refused t o submit t o t hi s require

,

m e n t an d soo n t h ey prepared w ar a g ai n s t us
,
I w as .

i n dict ed before t h e coun t y court for celebrat in g t h e ordi

n an ce of m arriag e n ot bei n
g le g ally aut h orized I ap
,
.

pe are d at court m ade full proof of my ordi n at io n an d

, ,

w as acquit t e d by t h e court a n d had m y n a me recorded ,

”
as a re g ular min ist er in t h e t o w n of Warw ick .

The la t e Rev Russell . St reet er t hus S peaks Of Mr .

Rich s pecu liar t heo l og y

’

“
Fat her Rich o n ly co n versat io n I ever had w i th
,
in the
h im w a s t h e firs t p reacher w h o O pe n ly co n t e n de d

t hat all t h e (evil ) co n seque n ces of s i n w ere co n fi n ed t o

t h e prese n t life He w as very earn est on t his poin t ; he
.

arg ued i t on t h e groun d of t h e Treat ise 1 as i t appeared

for m ore t han a quart er of a ce n t u ry v i z t hat m an w a s ,
.
,

fir st cr e a te d in C hrist Jesus an d t he n f or med of t h e dust ; ,

an d t hat as he s t ood relat ed t o t h e ear t h O f Ada m o n ly ,

he sin n ed He n ce si n as w e call i t t o use his ow n w ords

.
, , ,

ori g in at ed solely i n t h e fl e sh an d blood, an d en ded w it h

1 A t on e me n t
’
B allou s T re a t is e on .
 C ALEB RI C H
. 1 73

t hesame The spir it be in g of heaven l y orig in re main ed

.

pure t houg h blen ded w it h c arn al b odies ; as pure m e t als

,

w ere t h e sa me before b e in g separat ed fro m t h e ear t h or

dross as a ft er w ards ; as w he at w a s t h e same b efore bein g
,

sepa rat ed fro m t h e chaif ’ e t c ” 1 , .

These vi ew s w ere severel y cr it ic ised b y M r M urray .

,

w hen he b ecame ac q uain te d w it h t hem as see h is ,

“
Le tt ers vo l ii p 308
, .bu t t hi s w as n ot t ill severa l
.
,

years afte r M r Ri ch b eg an t o preach

. .

1 Un ive rsalist Q uart e rly

, Jan u ary, 1 87 2 , p 7 6
. .
 C H AP T E R IH .

1 7 7 9 —1 7 8 6 .

E X CO M M U NI C A T I ON T F
OF H GLOU C E S T E R
FR T UNI V E R S A LI S S RO M T E I S

A T TO M Y F ’
C HURC H . o A M
R I C LE S R r SSOC I A I N. R . U RR A S I ELD O

L B
A G W
O R D U RI N H W T HE PB T G A R. O US E O F O RS H I UI L IN LO U C E S

TE R L G . T B WT E AL F TP R ROU T F TS T
LE S I H T HE I RS A I SH . HE I RS UI

W TI W H D RA M M N, Y B AN D P T A R . U RR A EC OM ES RO S E C U O R . G RE E

M ENT F O R HI S I FY G TL
RI E N D S T O H T RY N D EM NI HIM A AI N S os s , IS O

OF TH EC C T P P TI
A S E I N T HE BY G OU R S . AM H LE S SUE D T HE LO U C E S

T ER U V T
NI REP E RS A LI S BY AG T FS . FR T LI E D TO T HE EN ( THE I S

P A RI S H D R ST . L TT MR M
. Y A W I LES F ’
E ER . . U RRA
’
S NS ER . I NAL

D C
EC I SI O N O F T H E M M Y F V A ASE T I N R . U RR A
’
S A O R. N E CDO ES OF

T HET IT R I AL TL . M M Y
I N E R AN S GG T A B O Rs O F R . U RR A . U ES S A

M T G C V T
EE IN IN M M ON Y V T EN G L KI ON . R . U RR A
’
S I SI To O OD UC .

D T
EA T H or P TT D P
HO M AS T P P TY O E R AN D IS O SI I ON OF HI S RO ER .

T HEA T OXF
S SO C I A M WI
I O N AT NI Y R N H O RD , A SS . R . U R RA To EV . OA
P KAR R
ER ON T A
THE T T C
E SU L T S O F T HE SSO C I A I O N. I—
IE H A R E R or

C P T
OM AC ,
PT BY S T
AN D I TS M F OX F
ADO ION OC I E I ES IN I L O RD , O RD ,

AN D W W K ARP C
IC . P P TY B T U RC H A S E O F H U RC H RO ER IN OS ON .

U VNI T P V
E R S "L I S R I R
S IN E W RO T I D E NCE, . . EV . LH A N A N I NC HE S E R.

H C IS E YR G
H I LD HO O D A N D V W H L T HI S A RL E LI I OU S IE S. IS I ER

Y A TT
AR T —H A AI N M E N T ow W
S . IS C C OUN OF H HE A S LE D T o THE

B F U V
E LI E OF R M R B GG APP
NI T
E RS A LI SM D P T . EV . . O S OIN ED To IS U E

W TI M
H HI M B GG . F A P R . M W O S RE US E S , ND RO N OU N C E S R . I NC HES

T ‘
M
E R S C O U RS E Y C T M W
AN L T E AN D H RI S I AN . R . I NCHES ER I s XC O M

M U N I C AT E DH F TU V . TS IS T B PT T
I RS NI E R S A LI S
'

E RM O N . IIE -
A IS S
’

ST T T T
A EM E N GWT M W
OF T T
H E I R D E A LI N L I H R. I N C HE S ER . HE AT

T ER S L TT’
o R E D STER TP T R M
EV . R . I L L M AN . E C U LI A RI I ES O R .

W T
I N C H ES T GY P ER S
’
R TH E O LO M Y . E RSO N A L ELA I ONS O F U R RA AN D

W T
INCH ES R M ER W . T T EV.C G G T O SES I NCHE S ER . HE ON RE A I ON

G TA BY E H
H E RE D W T P L P O G
A N AN I NC HES ER I N H I L AD E L H I A R AN I Z E
U V
AS NIB PT T E RS A L T P H A M L ISG S . HEI R UR C AS E O F AS O N S
’
OD E .

M W R . T HY
I N C HE S B K M G E W ER S
‘
M W M N OO . OR AN D A RD S O N R . IN
T
C H ES R E R. C TS EV R T
. B LE M E NR UM NER . EV . HO M A S ARN S . E V.

Z PE L T
H A N I AH R N M A Y HE R D V
. EV EV . O AH U R RA . Rv . A ID ANS.

D H — G
AN I E L R YAL L — M. M Y L TT A M AL I E L E NO L D S . R. U RRA
’
S E ER .
S H I PP I E T O W N S E N D .

HILE M r M urray w as b e in g persecut ed an d .

t hreat e n ed w i t h mo b v i ol en ce h i s foll o w ers w h o ,

w ere co n n ecte d w i t h t h e Church of t h e F i rs t Par i sh do

 ARTI CLES OF ASSOCI ATI ON . 175

n ot seem t o have been mo l est ed b y t he ir church ; bu t

in February 1 7 7 7 t hey w ere, , cal led upo n t o g ive
re as on s if t hey had an y w h y t hey ab sen t ed t hem selves
, ,

from t h e w orshi p an d ordin an ces Of God in H i s house .

The perso n s t hus su m mon ed w ere s i xt ee n in n um b er ,

viz Epes Sarg en t an d w ife W i n t hrop Sarg en t an d w ife

.
, , ,

Eb en ezer Parso n s an d w ife Dav i d Pearce Ja m es M ille t, , ,

Lydia Pre n t iss Re b ecca S mit h J u di t h St even s An n a

, , ,

Babson Je m ima Cook Han n ah Tucker N an cy S au n ders

, , , ,

an d Jemima Parso n s They made an sw er : Ou r rea “

.

son s for ab sen t in g oursel ves from your soci et y are

purely of a reli g i ous n at ure w h ich i s w holly b et w een ,

God an d Ou r ow n sou l s A ft er severa l church mee t

.

in gs had b een held t h e a bove m e n t i on ed w it h t h e

,
-

except ion of Ja m es M ill e t w ere pu blicly suspen ded in ,

Sept e mb er 1 7 7 8 Thus c u t off from form er associat es

,
.
,

an d formally separat ed fro m o t her Chris t ian b e li evers ,

they t urn ed t heir a t t e n t i on t o t h e creat i o n of an org an

iz at ion for t hemse l ves ; a n d on t h e first Of Ja n uary ,

1 7 7 9 b oun d t hemse lves t oge t her u n der t h e follo w in g

,

“
A R T IC LE S OF A S S OCI ATI ON .

ASSOCI ATI ON OF T HE I NDE EN DEN T P C HU RC H I N

G LOCE S TE R .

In as m uch as it hat h pleased God O f his great

mercy i n e very a g e of t h e w orld t o choose a p eo p le for
, ,

hi m se lf g ivi n g t he m his fear a n d re vealin g t o t he m his

, ,

secret ; a n d as t his Great L ord of heave n a n d eart h t h e ,

Fat her of our L ord Jesus Christ hat h b e e n pl e ased t o re ,

ve al t o babe s w hat he h at h hid fro m t h e w ise a n d pru

de n t : w e t h e subscribers grat efully af fe ct ed w it h a
, ,

s e n s e of t h e divi n e g oodn ess in t hus dist in g uishin g us ,

17 6 UNI VERS ALIS M I N AM ERI CA.

w ho had ot hi n g in us t o m erit his n ot ice , t h i n k it our

n

i n t erest an d boun de n dut y t o l e t our l ight sh in e b efore

m e n t hat t hey may see our g ood w orks, an d glor i fy ou r
,

Fat her w hich is i n heave n As t herefore i t hat h pleased

.

God t o make us acquai n t ed w it h t h e voice of t h e Goo d

S hepherd t h e L ord Jesus Christ t h e Great Sheph e rd
, ,

a n d Bishop of soul s , w e can n ot fro m h e n cefor w ar d fol lo w

t h e voice of a s t ra n g er n or ev e r g ive at t e n t io n t o such

,

w h o are un acquain t ed w i t h t h e S aviour Of t h e w orld .

B u t t houg h w e can n ot ha ve fellow sh i p w i t h t hem w hose

fellow ship is n ot w it h t h e Fat her a n d w it h his S on Je sus
Christ y e t w e are det erm in ed by t h e g rac e of God n ever
, , ,

t o forsake t h e asse mbli n g of ou rselves t o g e t her as t h e

,

man n er Of som e is, bu t as a Church of Christ , m eet

t o g e ther in h i s n am e bein g pers u aded w herever or w hen
, ,

ever t w o or t hree are t hus m e t t o g et her, t h e in vis ible

G od w i ll be prese n t w it h t h e m .

As Chris t ian s w e ackn o w ledg e n o mast er bu t Jesus

,

Christ , an d as d isci pl es of t his div i n e mast er, w e profess

t o follo w n o g u i de i n spiri t ual m at t ers bu t hi s w ord an d
his sp irit .

As d w ell ers in t his w orld t houg h n ot of it w e hold

, ,

ourselves bo u n d t o yield obedie n ce t o every ordi n an ce of

m an for God s sake ; an d w e w il l be peaceable an d
,
.
’

o bedie n t subj ect s t o t h e pow ers t hat are ordai n ed of God ,

i n al l c i v i l cases ; bu t as subject s of t hat K in g w hose

kin g dom is n ot of t his w orld w e can n ot ackn ow led g e
,

t h e ri ght of an y hu m an au t horit y t o make law s for t h e

re g ulat in g of our co n scien ce in a n y spirit ual mat t ers .

“ Thus as a
,
t rue in depe n de n t Church of Chris t look ,

i n g un t o Jesus t h e Aut h or a n d Fin isher of our fait h, w e

mut ually a gree t o w alk t o g e t h er i n Chr i st i an fe ll o w sh ip ,

build in g u p e ac h ot her i n ou r m ost holy fait h, rej oicin g

i n t h e li b ert y w herew it h Christ hat h made us free, an d
det ermin i n g by his g race n o m ore t o b e e n tan gl ed by an y
yok e of bo n dag e .
 ARTI CLES or ASS OCI ATI ON . 1 77

As di sciples of t h e meek an d l ow ly Jesus w e resol ve , ,

as far as in us liet h, t o l ive peaceably w it h al l m e n ; y e t ,

as be lieve r s livin g g odly in Christ Jesus, w e expect t o

suff er as much persecut io n as t h e l a w s Of t h e coun t ry
w e live i n wi ll ad mit of B u t w e resolve by t h e grace of
.

God n on e of t hese t hin g s sh all move u s t o act in c on sist

e n t w it h our charact er as C h rist ian s We wi ll as m uch .

as p ossible avo i d vai n jan g lin g an d un n ecessary disput a

t ion ; an d should w e b e reviled e n deavor i n pat ie n ce t o ,

poss e ss our souls .

“
As an i n depe n de n t Church of Chris t t hus boun d t o
g e t her bV t h e cords of his love an d mee t i n g t o g e t her in
,

his n am e w e mut ually ag ree t o receive as our M i n ist er

, ,

t hat is ou r S ervan t sen t t o labor amon g us in t h e w ork

, ,

of t h e Gospel by t h e g reat L ord of t h e Vin eyard our ,

frie n d a n d Chris t ian brot her J O H N M U RRAY This w e do

, .

f rom a f ull co n vic t io n t h at t h e sam e God t h at se n t t h e

first preachers of Jesus Christ , sen t hi m ; an d t hat t he
same g ospel t hey preach ed w e have fro m t i m e t o t i me
re ceive d from him T h us beli evin g h im a mi n ist er of
.
,

t he N e w Test ame n t con s t a n t ly declar i ng t h e w hole coun

,

se l of God procl aimi n g t h e sam e divin e t rut h t hat all

,

God s holy prophet s from t h e be gin n i n g of t h e w orld

’

have dec lared WE cordially receive hi m as a M esse n g er

,

from God An d as it hat h pleased God t o open a g reat

.

an d e ffe ct ual door for t h e preachi n g of his Gosp e l by t h is ,

his s e rvan t in sun dry par t s of t h i s g reat con t in e n t w h e r

, ,

e ve r it shall please his an d our divi n e m as t er t o call

him t o preach t h e everlast in g Gospe l else w here w e w ish ,

him God speed an d pr ay t hat t h e g ood w ill of h im t hat

-
,
-

dw elt in t h e bush m ay accom pan y hi m an d m ak e his ,

w ay clear before him B u t should he at an y t i m e preach

.

an y o t her g ospel t han t hat w e h ave received w e w ill n ot ,

w ish him God speed , bu t c o n sider him as a s t ran g er

-
.

An d as t h e gr eat Lord of t h e harvest has t au g ht us t o

pray t hat he w o ul d se n d laborers in t o hi s har vest a n d as ,

V OL . I . 12
17 8 UNI V ERSA LI S M I N AM ERI C A .

he n e ver t aug ht us t o pray in vain bu t has assured us , ,

e very on e t hat aske t h receive t h t houg h h e has n ot t ol d ,

us w he n w hen ever he S hall see fit t o sen d us a m essen g er

,

of glad t idin g s a pu blisher of pe ace w e w ill w it h g rat e

, ,

ful he art s receive h i m An d as t h e promise of t h e divin e.

prese n ce is t o an y t w o or t hree t h at m eet t o g et her i n t h e

S aviour s n a me w e are resolve d by God s g race w het her
’ ’
, ,

w e are blessed w i t h t h e pu b lic pr eachi n g of t h e w ord or

n ot as oft e n as w e fin d co n ve n ie n t t o m ee t t o g et her t o
, ,

supp licat e t h e divi n e favor t o praise our redeem in g ,

God t o hear h i s m ost holy w ord an d freely t o co mmun i

, ,

cat e w h at ever God shall please t o m an ife st t o us for our

mut ual e dificat i on .

An d t hat w e m ay t h e m ore effect ually S ho w fort h hi s

praise w h o hat h called us ou t of darkn ess in t o his mar
,

vello n s li g ht w e resolve t o pay a seriou s re g ard t o t he

,

exhort at io n s ad mo n it io n s an d i n st ruct io n s g iven t o us

, ,

by t h e S pirit of God i n t h e epist les dict at ed t o our holy

apost les We w ill as far as in us liet h do g ood un t o all
.
, ,

m e n bu t especial ly un t o t he m w h o are of t h e household

,

of fait h .

We w ill by t h e g race of God i n w ord a n d in deed;

, ,

e n deavor to adorn t h e doct rin e of God ou r S aviour .

An d as childre n of on e fat h er as m e m bers of on e head , ,

w h o are u n i t ed t o g e t h er i n Christ ian fello w ship w ill, ,

o n ce every m o n t h m eet t o g et h er t o hold co n feren ce an d

, ,

t o de lib e rat e on w hat ever m ay t e n d t o our mut ual

profit ” .

Th i s —
far as w e kn o w
, so t h e earli es t f orm of organ ,

iz at ion b y A mer ican U n i versa lis t s w as as w ill b e seen , , ,

ra t her a declarat io n of in t en t io n t o w ork t og e ther as a

Chri s t ian b ody t han a form or mode for carryin g on
,

t he i r w ork I t made n o prov i si o n for t h e t ran sact io n

.

of b us in ess for o ffi c ial s of an y kin d or for reve n ue

, ,
.

A n d al t houg h i t has p lace in t h e records of t h e Gl ou ce s

 FI RST M EETI NG HOUS E -
.
179

t er societ y it i s n ei t her accompan ied n or foll o w ed b y

,

an y m in u t e of proceed i n s u n der i t as a form of or an

g g
iz at ion A f e w years aft er it w as w ri t t e n it w a s fou n d
.

t o be defec t i ve in t hese respect s an d as w e sha ll here , ,

aft er see g ave p l ace t o a b ett er b usin ess form ; bu t it

,

w as n ot w it hou t use i n t h e emerg en cy w h i ch ca lled i t

fort h an d did g ood serv ice in b rin gin g t og e t her t hose

,

w ho sympat hized w it h M r M urray s v i e w s H OW

’
. .

man y except t hose already n am ed as exco m m u n icat ed

,

from t h e Firs t Pari sh Church a t first s ign ed t hese A rt i ,

cles of Associ at i o n can n o t n ow b e kn ow n bu t t h e

, ,

w hole n umb er of n am es appe n ded at diff eren t t i m es w a s

Sixt y on e
- — t h ir t y on e m e n a n d t h i rt y w o m e n
,
-
.

I t is very prob able t ha t u n t il t h e c l ose of t h e War

for In depen den ce t h e fiel d Of M r M urray s l ab ors w a s
, .
’

limit ed t o Gloucest er an d Bost on in M assachuset t s a n d , ,

t o N e w port an d Prov i de n ce in Rhode Islan d w it h f re, ,

que n t v isit s t o P ort smou t h N H M r s M urray says

,
. . .

t ha t it w a s his cus t om t o b e a b sen t fro m Glouces t er

durin g t h e summer a n d w e may t herefore suppose t ha t
,

he spen t t h e res t of t h e year in Gl oucest er Here g reat .

success att e ded hi s lab ors a d t h e spacious parlors

n n
“
,

of his frien d w ere soo n in ade qua t e acco m m odat io n s for

his hearers A moveme n t w as t herefore pu t on foo t
.

for th e erect i on O f a house of w orship fourt een perso n s ,

associat in g t he msel ves t o g et her for defray in g t h e ex

pen se of b u il din g The spo t se l ect ed w a s at t h e eas t
.

erly e n d of M r Win t hrop Sarg en t s g arde n n ow t h e

.
’

w es t erly corn er o f M a i n an d Wa t er s t ree t s I t w as a .

on e s t o ry fra m e b uild i n g
-
fort y eigh t feet l on g an d
,
-

t hir t y t w o an d a ha l f fe e t Wide a n d co n t ain ed t hirt y

-
,

large s quare pe w s t h e prevaili n g i f n ot t h e o n l y

, , ,
1 80 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

st yl e o f churc h S it t in g s a t t hat t i me These pe w s w ere .

assig n ed t o t h e four t ee n associat es on t h e b as i s o f t heir ,

sub scri p tio n s t o t h e cost of t h e b u ild in g v iz t o Win .

,

t h rop Sarg e n t t hirt een ; Dav i d Pl umer t hree ; I saac

, ,

Elw e ll t w o ; Davi d Pear ce t w o ; E pes Sarg en t W illi am

, , ,

Pearce W ill iam Hal es Samue l S ay w ard Joseph Fost er

, , , ,

A b raham S a w yer J oh n S omes Brad bu ry San ders Wil

, , ,

liam M u rphy Phil emon Haskell ,

on e each The cost , .

of t h e bu il di n g is n ot n ow kn ow n The l an d on w hich .

t he m e e t i n g house s t ood re m ain ed a part o f t h e es t at e o f

-

M r Sarg en t t ill 1 7 99 w hen

. on t h e b as i s o f t h e v al u a
,

t i o n o f 1 7 8 1 a t a x w as assessed on t h e propri et ors o f t h e

,

pe w s an d th e sum of on e hun dred pou n ds w as rai sed

,

in payme n t f or th e l a n d The h o u se w as Completed

.

an d occup ied b y ded i cat io n Decemb er 2 5 1 7 80 , , .

O n t ak in g possessi o n O f t he i r ho u se of w orsh i p the ,

hopes o f M r M u rray a n d h i s foll o w ers w ere dou btless

.

arden t ; an d for a w h il e t hey w ere f ree from mol es t a

t i on bu t b e fore l on g t hey w ere made t o fee l t h e mos t de
,

t e r mi n e d opposit i on an d an n oya n c e The assessors o f .

t h e F irst Pari sh c l a imed t hat t hey w ere st il l obli ga ted

t o con t ri bu t e b y ta xa t i on t o t h e support Of t hat organ
, ,

i za t ion T h e Un iversa lis t s den ied t his lia bil it y b asin g

.
,

the ir den i al on th e B ill o f Right s prefi xed t o th e Con st i

t u t ion o f t h e Common w ealt h w hi ch had rece n t l y b ee n ,

adopt ed t h e g uaran t ee s of w hi ch w ere t hat

, ,

all relig i ous societ ies shal l a t all t imes ha ve t h e ex , ,

cl u s i v e r ight of elect i n g t h eir p u blic t e achers an d of ,

con t ract in g w it h t hem for support an d mai n t e n an ce .

An d all mo n eys paid by t h e subject for t h e support of

publ ic w orshi p shall if he require i t be un i formly ap
, ,

pli e d to t h e support of t h e public t e ac he r or t eachers of

 LEG AL DI FFI C U LT I ES . 1 81

his ow n relig ious sect or den o min at io n provided t here ,

”
be an y on w hose i n st ruct io n he at t e n ds .

The F irst Pari sh made a n s w er t hat t hi s prov i si o n

coul d n ot apply in t h i s case b ecause t h e con gregat ion ,

of M r M urray w as n ot a church or religious soc i et y

.
,

n ot b ein g in corpora t ed b y an y order or au t horit y

“

kn ow n in t h i s Co mm o n w eal t h — bu t a m ere j umbl e Of ,

de t ached memb ers n or w a s M r M u rray a t eacher of . ,

rel igion bu t w a s t o b e regarded as on e w h o w it hou t

, ,

a charact er creden t ial s or ordin a t ion has assumed t h e

, , ,

C haract er of a pub li c t eacher Of p iet y rel ig ion an d , ,

morali t y an d st y l es h i mself cl er k 1 An d so on t h e
, .
”
,

assum p t ion t hat t hey had t h e righ t t o det ermin e w hat

w as an d w hat w as n ot a re lig i ous sec t an d w h o w as or ,

w as n ot a rel ig i ous t eacher t hey proceeded t o assess ,

an d att emp t t o co ll ec t t axes from t h e U n iversali s t s f or

t he support of t h e Fir s t Pari sh

There w as a w ay ou t of t h i s diffi cu lt y w h i ch w a s ,

suggest ed an d urg ed b y man y bu t w it hou t mee t in g ,

t heir approva l I t w as t o app ly t o t h e Le g i s l at ure for

.

an act of i n corporat i o n The an sw er w as :

.

“
Providen ce h as so ordered i t, t ha t w e shoul d i n t h e ,

first in st an ce be c alled upo n t o co n t en d for t hose re l ig i Ou s

,

libe rt ies preserved by ou r excellen t Co n st it ut io n T h e .

in con siderable n ess of our part y an d t h e prejudices raised ,

by our en em ies i n t h e m i n ds of our fellow cit izen s poi n t -

,

us ou t as t h e proper object s of t h e first ess ay f or r e

l i g iou s tyran n y ; an d should w e fl y t o t h e l aw m ak e rs -

in st ead of t hat g re at l aw m ade by t h e people t o g over n

t h e le g islat ure it self w e Should i n our ap prehe n sio n be
, , ,

t ray our coun t ry s freedo m an d a ct a co w ar dly part

’
,
We .

1 An sw e r t o an Ap pe al , pp 13 , 1 6 . .
1 82 U NI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Sho uld feel ourselves very un hap py if t he re w as n o ot h e r

securit y in t hese m at t ers t h an act s of le g islat io n w hich ,

m ig ht be repealed at an y t im e w he n a part icular part y

” 1
should prevail .

I n 1 7 82 t h e F irst Pari sh e n forced t hei r deman d by

seiz in g an d sell in g at auct i o n t h e g oods of t hree me m
b ers of t h e In depe n den t Church From Epes Sargen t .

t hey t ook art i c l es of S il ver pl at e fr om a n ot her (perhaps

,

Win t hrop Sarg en t ) t hey t ook E n g li sh g oods an d from ,

an o t her (prob ably Dav id P earce ) t h e an chor of a vesse l

on t h e po in t o f sa ili n g William P earce a b ro t her of
.
,

Dav id promin en t in t h e mob w h i ch as b e fore referred

, ,

t o att empt ed t o r i de M r M urray ou t o f t o w n had he

, .
,

come a co n vert t o Un iversal ism a n d on h i s res i st an ce , ,

o f t h e t ax w as l odg ed by t h e parish com m itt ee in Sa lem

,

j ail Fail in g t o recover t he ir g oods by rep l ev in t h e

. .

S ocie t y in s t it u t ed a su it ag a in st t h e F ir s t Pari sh w hich ,

w as a ft er w ards w it hdra w n as n ot b e i n g t e n a bl e in t h e

form in w h ich i t w as comm e n ced I t w a s foun d t hat .

i n order for an ac t i o n t o b e sus t a i n ed in t h e court it ,

must b e b rough t in t h e n a me of t h e relig i ous t eacher

from w hom t h e mo n ey had b een divert ed M rs M u r . .

ray rela t es t ha t her husb an d s ’

reluct an ce t o t his st ep w as deci ded an d aff ect in g He .

had passed t h roug h t h e coun t ry w it hout even allo w in g

or accept i n g co n t ribut io n s ; a n d t o be con sidered a pro
secut or for mon e y/s said t o be due t o h im for p r e a ch i n g th e
G osp e l w hich he had de t erm in ed t o pro mulg at e f r e e a s
,

t h e l i g h t of h e a v e n "— t h e very idea w as a s t ab t o his

lon g c herished feelin g s I t appeared t o h im like pros
-
.

t rat in g t h e i n t e g rit y of his charact er an d s t rippi n g him ,

1 An A ppe al t o t h e I mpart ia l Pu bl ic, p 3 1 . .

 LEG AL DI FFI C ULT I ES . 1 83

of t hose hon ors w hi ch he h ad fo n dly hoped w ould re m ain

forever un shorn The S it uat ion of his min d upo n t his
.

occasion may be g at here d fr om t w o ext ract s of let t ers ,

addr essed t o him by a respect able g en t le man : You ‘

kn ow t h e in duce m e n t I had t o en g age in t his cause w a s

t o be eman cipat ed from t h e S hackles of a p on t ificat e an d ,

my ave rsion w as eve r det er min ed from h avin g t h e suit

brou g ht in your n ame as w ell fro m your abhorre n ce as
, ,

t h at t h e result ho w ever f a v orabl e w ould n ot es t a blish

, ,

u S u p o n t h e bro ad b ase of g e n ui n e freedo m Ho w ever I .

,

am n ow con vi n ced fro m r e fl e c t io n t hat our cause w ill be

ruin ed un less you assume i t M r H i t ch born e w as clear

. .

it oug ht t o have b een i n your n am e before At our .

pressin g request he dre w t h e last w rit M r S ullivan . .

h as declared it mu s t be in your n a me M r Py n ch on . .

(allo w e d on al l h an ds t o be deep ly versed i n t h e i n t rica

cie s of t h e l aw) assured a g e n t le man he w ould w arran t
success an d eve n un der t a ke t h e co n duct i n g t h e cause if
, ,

t h e pro per use w ere made of your n a me M r S e w all s ’

. .

Opi n io n is i n u n iso n w i t h M r Py n chon I hat e delay

. .

a n d i n de cision a n d S h all l a m e n t if chican e an d po l it ical

,

vie w s mus t prevail over t h e purest in t en t io n s ’ .

“
To t his let t er M r M urray respon ded in t erms de s cr i p
.

t ive of much an g uish of S pirit a n d his sympat hizin g ,

fr ien d i mmediat ely replied

‘
I e ssay n ot t o co mm un icat e t h e im pression w hich
y our le tt er has made upo n m e Woul d t hat p e n an d pap er
.

w ere a dequat e t o express all t h at could be co n vey e d by

t he t o n gue. Shall I be co n de m n ed for be in g O f a n u h
st e ady disposit io n or shall I be just ified i n my chan g e of
,

s e n t i me n t fro m t h e varie t y of even t s Be it as i t m ay ,

i t mat t ers n ot ; your le t t er h as produced an ot h e r al t e r

at ion in my m in d Your con fl ict b e t w ee n t h e resolut ion
.

you have t ake n an d t h e in t e rest of your fri e n ds w hich

, ,

I am persuaded is very dear t o you is carried on in your ,

breas t t o a de g ree of ag on y I see h ow dist ressin g it is

.
1 84 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

for you e ven i n app e a ra n ce t o s t an d fort h an d co n t e n d

, ,

for w hat you have so n obl y h e ld i n s ove r e i g n con t e mp t I n .

t his poi n t of vie w i t ceases t o be a ques t io n L e t t he .

idea of i n t e res t perish I h a d rat her a la rg e part of

.

min e dea r as it is shoul d be w res t ed fro m m e t han t hat

, , ,

you s houl d sacrifice an y port io n of y our peace or your

ho n or ; t h erefore I e n t re at y ou m y dear sir do n o vio , ,

le n ce t o your feelin g s I t han k God t h e t rut h of our

.
,

cause does n ot dep e n d upo n t h e de cisio n of a cou rt of

j u d icat ure ; a n d adm it t h e w o rst i t is o n ly w hat w e are
, ,

hidde n t o expec t t hat t his w orl d is oppose d t o t h e o t h e r

, .

Just ice ho w ever n ot w it hst an d i n g my sy m pat hy for y ou

, , ,

urg e s m e t o repeat t hat ou r law yers see n o rat io n al pros

pe e t of success bu t fro m your beco min g a PR I N C I PA L in
,

t h e busi n ess . If you can be n d your m in d w ell ; t ake ,

t i me t o deliberat e ; delays i n l a w perh aps are n ot so , ,

da n g erous as in o t he r aff airs ; at an y rat e I e n t reat you ,

t o beco m e m ore t ran quil I had rat her m ake pay me n t t o

.

Parso n Forbes t h an t hat you S hould t hus su if er .

’ 2

Thus urg ed t o co n s ider t h e matt er an e w M r M urray ,

.

b eca m e con v in ced t hat t h e i ssue aff ec t ed n ot h imself

a lon e bu t every religi ous de n omin at i on in t h e Commo n
,

w eal t h t hat w as n ot of t h e s t an d in g order a n d als o t hat ,

persi s t en ce in h i s resol ut ion w a s a sacr ifice of t h e per

so n al i n t erest s of h i s frie n ds an d w ould b e a co w ardly ,

g ivin g up of a r ig h t w h ich t h e Con st it ut i on g uaran t eed

t o all. An d so he con sen t ed t o b ri n g t h e suit ; w here
upo n W in t hrop Sargen t Dav id Pearce J oseph Fost er
, , ,

Dav id Pl um er John S omes J oshua Pl umer a n d Epes

, , ,

Sarg en t dre w up an d execu t ed a n ag ree m e n t t ha t

, ,

“
for t h e m ore e ff ect ual carryi n g on a cert ai n process at
l aw b e t w e e n Joh n M urray clerk a n d t h e i n habit an t s of
, ,

t h e First Parish of Gloc e st er or w hat ever ot her form i n ,

2 L if e of M u rr a y , pp 3 2 9 , 3 3 0
. .
 LEG AL D I F FI C ULTI ES . 1 85

l a w may be assu med f or procurin g an d e st ablishin g our

,

Re lig ious L ibert i e s w e do a s sociat e m ut ually ple dg e

, , ,

cove n an t agr e e a n d bin d ourselves join t ly t h e on e t o t h e

, ,

ot h e r as w e ll f or ourselves as ou r heirs exec u t ors an d

, , ,

admin is t rat ors t o advan ce a n d pay such s u m or su m s a s

, .

S hall be n ec e s sary a n d adequat e t o t h e w ell co n duct i n g

of sai d proc e ss t h e w h ol e of w hic h cos t s of sui t a n d

,

ot h e r e xpe n ses w he n t er m i n at ed t o be res p e ct ively by us

, ,

born e in such pro p o rt io n s as w e are t a xe d i n t h e diff eren t

rat e list s d e live r e d t o t h e collec t or s by t h e as s esso r s of
t h e Fi r s t Parish of Gloces t er for 17 81 1 7 82 1 7 83 , , ,
.

An d i t is furt h er a g reed t hat David Plum e r a n d ,

Jose ph Fos t e r above n am e d be a co mm i t t e e t o t r an sact

, ,

an d co n duct t h e caus e s b e fore m e n t io n ed an d t o receive ,

all m o n e y s t hey or a n y of t h e m g ivi n g re c e ipt s for such

sums as shall be p ai d t he m a n d to be accoun t able t o t his
,

associat io n for t h e e xpe n di t ure of t h e sam e .

“
An d it is fur t h e r a g re e d as t h e i n t e n t an d m ean i n g
of t his associat io n t o co m p r e h e n d all or an y exp e n ses
,

t hat have arise n i n co n duct in g t h e cause afo r e sai d here

t ofore as w ell as w hat may ar ise a t t h is prese n t or in
fut ure .

“
I t is furt her ag reed t hat t h e said David Plum er a n d
Jose p h Fost er co mm it t ee S hall have po w er of asse m blin g
, ,

t h i s associat io n a t such t i m es an d place as shall be m ost

e xp e di e n t .

An d it is f u rt her cove n an t ed a n d ag reed t h at t his

associat io n w ill a id st re n g t he n cou n sel a n d coun t e n an ce
, , ,

e ach o t he r i n t h e prosecut io n a n d vi n dicat io n of t h e i r

right s ag ai n st a S peci e s of usurpa t ion a n d t y ra n n y w h ich ,

t houg h san ct ified by t h e g reat e s t n u mber has for it s ob ,

j e ct n ot t h e g ood orde r of civil socie t y bu t t h e subversio n ,

”
of h um an i t y a n d reli g ious fre e do m .

H on Ru fus K in g
. w as ret ain ed as cou n sel an d ,
th e
case cam e t o t ria l in 1 7 83 a n d w as con t in ued on
,
ap
1 86 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

peal an d rev iew t ill 1 7 86 M r K in g re m oved t o N e w

. .

York b efore t h e fin a l deci sion w hen Judges Su ll iva n ,

an d Tudor b eca m e M r M urray s cou n sel M r Sa m ue l

’
. . .

Whit t e m ore w a s t h e co mm it t ee or ag en t for t h e pari sh ,

an d Theoph il us Parso n s a n d Theoph il us Brad b ury w ere

h i s coun sel Of t h e t rial in 1 7 85 M r S u l l ivan gave

.
,
.

t h e fo ll o wi n g accou n t in a l e tte r t o M r K in g : .

Jun e 2 5 t h 1 7 85 On Wed n esday las t w as t ried t h e

,
.

case of Jo h n M urray ag ain st t h e i n habit an t s of t h e First

Parish of Gloucest er The cause w as ope n ed by M r
. .

Tudor a n d closed by me ; M r Bradbu ry a n d Parso n s f or .

t h e pari sh . M a n y except io n s w ere t ake n t o t h e form of

t h e ac t io n b ,
u t t h e t hree j u d g es prese n t S e w all Dan a , , ,

an d S u m n er ag re e d t h e ac t io n t o be w ell brou g h t
,
On .

our part w e proved t hat t h e S ociet y un der t h e t eachin g

,

of M urray w ere a sect differe n t fro m [Calvin ist s or t he

S t an di n g O rder ] by de n yi n g t h e ext e r n al rit e of bap
t is m . We rest ed it t here The court t houg ht w e ought
.

t o prove h i m t o be a t e ac her of pie t y reli g io n an d m oral , ,

i t y t o e n t it le h i m t o t h e ac t io n
,
T O t his w e a g reed an d
.
,

t h er e fore produced evide n ce t hat he professed t o t e ach

t h e Chris t ian reli g io n w hi c h w e t h ou gh t t o be a m oral
,

syst e m an d t hat t h e person s w hose t axes w ere in con s id

,

e r a t i on at t en d e d upo n hi m as a t e acher of m oralit y an d ,

w ere co n t e n t t o subm i t t h e cause Upo n t h e o t her side.

,

t hey m ov e d t o prove t hat his doc t ri n es w ere opposed t o

m orali t y because he de n ied pu n ish m e n t i n an o t her w orld .

To t his w e object ed t hat alt houg h w e w ere obli g ed t o

,

prove h im a t eacher of m oralit y y e t t hey w ould n ot g o ,

so f a r as t o b ri n g before a civil t ribun al t h e quest io n

w he t her t h e m o t ives of re w ards an d pu n ish m e n t s i n

an o t her w orld w ere such as w oul d i n duce pi e t y ; f or,

S hould w e a t o n ce lau n c h i n t o t h at i n quiry t here w ould ,

be n o e n d t o it For suppose t h e clergy m an in suit w as

.
,
 LEG AL DI FFI C ULTI ES . 1 87

an E piscopalian , on e i e art icles m i g ht be

of t h e t hirt y -
n n

produced ag ai n st h i m w hich perhaps he had s w orn t o , , ,

h ol di n g up t h e idea of elect io n a n d reprobat io n w hich ,

w oul d be dee m ed by t hose w h o disse n t ed fro m t h e doc

t ri n e t o be O p posed t o every i n ce n t ive t o virt ue or de t er
me n t fro m vice All Calvin is t s w ere in volved i n t h e
.

same observat io n t h e H O pk in t on i an s w orse st ill w orse ; ,

an d it m i g ht eve n be sai d of t h e A r m e n ian s t h at t h eir

dist in ct ion bet w ee n forekn ow led ge a n d predest in at io n

w as dero g at ory t o t h e perfect io n of t h e De i t y a n d so n o

e n d could be had t o t h e disquisit io n The court w e re .

,

how eve r ag ain st us a n d i n su m m in g up or rat h e r arg ui n g

, ,

t h e cause g ave i t as t heir full opi n io n t hat n o t e ach e r bu t

,

on e w h o w as elec t ed by a corporat e socie t y could recov e r

mon ey paid by his hearers t o t h e t eacher of t h e par ish .

This exclud e s you w ill observe t h e E pi scopalian s Bap

, , ,

t ist s Q uakers Presby t erian s a n d S an de m an ian s f ro m all

, , ,

ben efit arisin g fro m t h e t hird art icle The jury t houg ht .

ot herw is e an d g ave us a verdict John Tracy fore m a n ” 1

,
.
,
.

Th is verd i ct b ein g in dir ect opposit io n t o t h e in st ru o

t ion s of th e court a rev i e w of t h e case w a s ordered an d
, ,

t h e fin a l t ri a l w as had t h e foll o w in g Ju n e .

Before t hat t ime arr i ved t h e Un i versali s t s publ i shed

an oc t avo pam ph l e t O f t h ir t y n i n e pag es en t i t l ed A n Ap
-
“ -

peal t o t h e I mpart ial P u blic b y t h e S ocie t y of Chri st ian

In depen den t s co n greg at in g in Gl ocest er I t w as w rit t en
,
.
”

by Epes Sarg en t an d con t a in ed a full s t at eme n t Of t he

,

fact s an d arg um en t s in t h e case as b ased on t h e Co n st i ,

t u t ion of t h e Com m o n w eal th I t w as im media t e l y fo l

.

l ow ed by a pamph le t of t w en t y t hree pag es e n t it led An -

, ,

An sw er t o a P iece e n t it led An Appea l t o t h e I m par t i a l

Publick b y an A ssoc ia t ion Calli n g t hemse lves Chris t ian
,
’ ‘

1 Am or y ’
s L if e of J a me s S u ll ivan , v ol . i p 1 83
. . .
18 8 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

In depe n den t s in Gl o cest er I t w a s pro b a bl y w ritt e n b y

.

Sa m ue l Wh it t e m ore E sq t h e ag en t of t h e Firs t Parish

, , .

I n addit io n t o t h e co m mo n arg ume n t s of t hat day ag ain st

all o w in g church es t o b e foun ded in oppos it i on t o th e
reg ular parish organ iz at i on t h is pamph l et con t ain s t h e
,

l e t t er of Rev Dr St il es b efore al l uded t o in w hich M r

. .
, , .

M urray i s den oun ced as a co n summ at e hypocrit e ; at

b es t a m an of dup li c it y an d dubi ous n ess of con duct ”
.

He represen t s M r M urray as hav i n g t ol d h i m t hat t h e

.

p l an he had proj ect ed in co min g t o Am erica

“
w as this t o co m e here as a follo w er of M r Whit field .
,

a n d here t o m ake hi m self kn o w n t o h i m by re m i n din g ,

h im of his co mm u n icat i n g at t h e Tabern ac le an d t he n ,

reques t M r Whi t field t o pu t h i m i n so me secular e m ploy

.

m e n t a t t h e Orphan House i n Georg i a ; f or h e said he , ,

n eve r had preache d i n E n g lan d an d had n o t hou g h t s of it

,

here except t hat he had so m et im es S poke n or exhort ed i n

,

so m e of t h e s m all We s t l e an societ ies before he w a s eig h

t ee n years old Upo n co m in g here his plan w a s broke n up
.
,

as M r Whit field died a f e w w eeks before or aft er his ar

.

rival I have bee n in formed of so m e of his ludicrous an d

.

jocun d co n versat io n w hile on t h e passag e res pect in g ,

w hat busin ess he should follow here i n t i m at i n g his r e a di ,

n ess t o g o u po n t h e s t ag e or e t c e t c ; i n d icat in g a n
, ,
.
, .

un d e t erm i n ed an d an u n prin cipled adve n t u rer ready in , ,

diff e ren t ly t o t urn hi m self t o an y course Bein g S hip

,
.

w recked on t h e Jersey shore he w as received w it h ,

ho spi t alit y by a n O pule n t Presby t erian w h o had buil t a

m ee t in g—h ouse t here for t ravellin g m i n ist ers especially ,

t hose se n t by t h e sy n ods M r M ur r ay here offered

. .

hi mself firs t t o preach He is un st udied a n d un di

.

g est ed i n his ow n sche m e At firs t he lau g hed at a

. .

lit eral hell an d de n ie d al l fut ure m isery A ft er w ards

,
.

he allow ed so m e fut ure pun ishme n t , bu t de n ies t h e

 DR . STI LES ’ ACCUS ATI ON . 1 89

et e rn it y of it , d g oes
in t o t h e popish doct ri n e of pur
an

g at ory I n short he is t o t his day u n se tt le d in his

.
,

sch em e — a sche m e in fi n it ely dan g erous t o m oralit y

,
.

When h e visit ed m e I asked h is O pi n io n respec t in g h i s

,

sup pose d t e n e t of un ive rsal salvat io n B u t he posit ive ly .

de n ie d i t t o me a n d asse r t e d bo t h t h e realit y a n d per

,

pe t u it y of t h e fut ure m isery a n d da m n at io n of t h ose of

t h e h u m an race w h o should be foun d on t h e left ha n d of
Je su s ; a n d he said a n u m be r of m an kin d w ould be
, ,

fou n d on t h e left h an d of Jesus at t h e g reat day It .

is said t hat o n ce aft er sup per h e t alked ludicrously of

t h e L ord s S u p p er as bei n g o n ly like drin kin g a heal t h
’

un t o t h e me m ory of an absen t frien d an d profan ely said , ,

He re i s bread an d here is w in e w hat forbids bu t w e ,

sh ould have it n ow On e of t h e co mpa n y replied S e v ,

e ral t hi n g s forbid i t ; in ord e r t o a du e part aki n g or

admin ist e rin g of t h at h oly ordi n an ce t here w ere t w o ,

t hin g s n ecessary viz proper subj e c t s an d a proper per

, .
, ,

son t o adm i n is t er it ; n eit her of w hich says he do I , ,

kn o w t o be h er e M urray replied t hey w ere fit subject s

.
, ,

an d h e or an y o t h e r perso n
,
had po w er e t c ; a n d so i t
, , .

e n de d .M r M urray de n ies all t his w i t h ce r t ai n art ful

.

duplic it y or cove ri n g s ; bu t I had i t fro m t h e m out h of

on e of t h e g e n t l e m e n prese n t an d do n ot doub t t h e fac t
,
.

In deed it is said by o t hers t hat n ow he t alks li g ht ly

,

about out w ar d ordi n an ces (pp 9 .

The pam phle t cl oses w ith a short address to the pub

lic in w h ich occurs t h e fo ll ow in g
,

This t ow n o n ce t h e seat of peace an d co mmerce is

, ,

n ow n oddi n
g on t h e brin k of rui n o w i n g chiefl y if n ot , ,

en t irely t o t his associat io n headed by t his forei g n er

, , ,

w h o t hro u g h a t oo g reat i n dul g e n ce has acquire d t h e

, ,

e fl r on t e r
y t o clai m equ al privile g es w i t h t h e learn ed r e g ,

ular a n d ordain ed m i n ist ers of t his Co mmo n w ealt h ;

,
1 90 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

assu mi n g t heir t it le he sues for support If t his associ

,
.

at io n s h ould be support ed by l aw t h e n an y on e t w o or , , ,

t hree fam ilies m ay form t he m selves i n t o t h e sa m e an d ,

clai m t h e sam e privile g es What t hen w ill beco me of

.

ou r colle g es in co rporat ed paris h es an d churches 9

, ,

I t is t h e opi n io n of t h e m ost judicious an d feeli n g heart s

amon g us t hat t his m an an d his pern icious doct rin e s
,

have bee n more damag e t o t his t o w n t han t h e lat e w ar

(p.

To t h i s pamphl et M r M urr ay a t on ce repli ed over

.
,

h i s ow n s ign at ure in a broads ide pu bli shed as a suppl e

,

me n t t o t h e Sa lem Gaze tt e Of t h e a t t ack of Dr . .

St il es he sa id

The public w ill b e very much su rprised w he n t h ey

fin d t hat on t h e Rev Dr S t il e s w r it in g t o t h e Rev M r ’
. . . .

Forbes I repeat edly re ques t ed a copy of t h e libel ; an d

,

n ot bein g able t o obt ai n i t I se t ou t for Port s m out h

,
I .

t here de man ded a m ee t i n g w i t h t h e Doct or i n sis t i n g on ,

his ei t her provin g or ret r act in g t h e false an d scan dalous

report s h e se n t his reveren t correspo n de n t in t h at le tt e r
bu t t h ou gh un der t h e in fl ue n ce of prej udice t h at ban e
, ,

of socie t y h e w as abl e t o propag at e a fals e hoo d y e t (t o

, ,

his h o n or be it spoke n ) he had n ot cou ra g e e n ough t o

de fe n d t he m N o argume n t s m ade use of by h i s be st
.

frie n ds could bri n g h i m t o ln y fac e He t old t he m .

,

in deed t hat he w as sure he said n o h a r m of m e an d

, ,

t h at if h e had said an y t hi n g t o my disadva n t ag e h e w as ,

ready t o ask my pardo n ; t hat he w rot e t o M r Forbes in .

co n fide n ce n ot expect i n g t hat I w ould ever hear of it

, .

A l l t h is a n d much m ore t o t h e sa m e purpose can be

, ,

at t es t ed by t h e m os t respect able ch aract ers w h o w ait ed

on h i m on t h e occasio n .

“
The public w ill be ast on ished, al m ost as m uch as I
 MR . M URRAY ’S RE LY P . 191

w as, w h e n t hey fin d t h e st ory t h e Doct or has furn i shed

his re vere n d frien d w it h respec t in g my t reat in g t h e sac
ramen t irrevere n t ly w a s t e n y ears ag o proved t o hi m
, , ,

by t he best an d m ost respect able aut horit ies a gross an d

palpable fal sehood O n e of t h e Doct or s best fri e n ds a
.
’
,

M r Belche r, mad e it his busi n ess t o i n quire in t o t h e

.

aff ai r ; an d w hen he had foun d m e fully j u st i fied on t h e ,

re spect able aut h orit y of Ge n eral Gree n e a le tt er from ,

t he presen t Gover n or s lady of Rhode Isla n d M r Gordon ,

’
, .

a min ist er in E as t Green w ich an d Gen eral Var n u m w h o

, ,

w ere all presen t on t h e occasion w here it w as said I t hus

burlesque d t h e s ac ramen t he in form ed Dr S t iles of it ;
, .

bu t t h oug h t h e Doct or h a d t h is in format i o n h e s t ill in , ,

privat e t o h elp a g ood cause co n t in ued t o propag at e t h e

, ,

lie An d man y years aft er t h is w he n he w ro t e it t o M r

.
, .

Fo rbe s t his sam e M r Belcher i m pelle d by a love of t rut h

, .
,

an d jus t ice w ro t e a le t t er t o M r Forbes t o co n vi n ce h im

, .

of t h e falsehood of t his S lan der T h is le tt er M r Forbes

. .

did n ot t hi n k proper t o publis h ; a c opy of it , ho w ever ,

can b e produce d at a m o me n t s w ar n i n g
’
.

B u t t he li mit s O f your paper w ill n ot adm it my

t rac in g my calu mn iat ors t h rou g h t h e w hole of t h e dir t y
pat h th e y have t ake n ; t h e public m ay form so me judg
me n t of t h e cre dit s w hich oug ht t o be g ive n t o t h e res t
of t he ir vile cal umn ies fro m t h e specim e n n ow laid before
t he m ; an d I can in t h is w ay onl y declare t hat I am able
an d wi lli n g at an y t i m e w he n properly called on t o prove
, ,

t h e rest of t h e charg es t hey have exhibit ed equally fal se

as slan derous .

“
Wh e n w e ve n t ure d t o lodg e an appeal before t h e b ar
of t he i mparti al public w e did n ot c all on t he m t o at t en d
t he sacrifice of an y i n d ivi d ual s repu t at io n ; w e m ade
’

use of n o person al i n vect ives w e did n ot ai m at po i son

,

in g t h e m i n ds of our fellow ci t ize n s w it h pre j u dice i m

-
,

p osi n g on t he m by vile m i sr e pr e se n t at iou s w e w ere

p re ve n t e d fro m t hus act i n g by m o t ives w hich, w e t rust ,
 1 92 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

w ill alw ay s have w eight w i t h us v iz ,fear of God, a

.
, the
‘

respect for the public ,

an d a reg ard for ourse lves .

“
On t h e hole it is plain w hat our e n e mi e s aim at
w ,

t hey hope t hat perso n al abuse a n d a co l lec t i o n of in f a

mou s falsehoods w i ll so f ar operat e on t h e m in ds of t he
court an d j u ry ( un der God th e o n ly defe n ders of our
n at ural a n d co n s t it ut io n al ri g ht s a n d lib ert i es ) as t o g ai n

a verdict i n t heir favor An d t h e plain i n t e n t of t heir

.

address is t his : Ou r fello w c i t ize n s w e call on you t o

‘ -
,

assist us i n reprobat in g t hose w icked w re t ches w ho,

n ot havin g t h e fear of God w ill n ot q ui e t ly part w it h ,

t heir prop e rt y t o us We desire y ou n ot t o look on

.

such w retc hes as fello w cit izen s ; God h at es t he m w e hat e

-
,

t he m, an d w e h O p e you w ill hat e t he m We are holy .

,

right eous jus t a n d g ood ; t hey are t h e reverse of all

, ,
’
t his . We are God s ow n childre n t hey are chil
dre n of t h e devil You ough t t here fore t o beli eve all
.
, ,

w e say, bu t n ot h i n g t hat t hey say We have a ri ght t o .

choose ou r ow n t each e r ; t h ey have n ot N 0 l aw ought .

t o obl i g e us t o support an y o t he r t ha n w e be ar bu t t h e ,

l aw oug ht t o o bli ge t he m t o sup port t h e mi n ist er t hey

do n ot hear You o u g ht t o g ive us t heir m o n ey for
.

n o t hi n g, an d w he n t hey are bas e e n ou g h t o refuse t o

part w it h i t fre ely an d w e se n d a co n st able t o t ake aw ay

,

t he i r prope rt y, you ou g ht n ever t o aff ord t he m an y re

dress for if y ou do n ot oblig e t hem t o pay our t eacher, w hat
w ill b eco me of your colle g es your parishes, your coun t ry ",

Th e r i sin g g e n erat io n all all w ill g o t o dest ruct i o n i f

, , ,

you do n ot obli g e t hem t o sup port our t eacher .

’

“
Ho w ever, ha d t hese g en t le me n co n fi n ed t hemselves
t o ar g u me n t an d e n dea vored t o prove t hat a doc t or had
,

a right t o d ema n d a fee from an ot her doc t or s pat ie n t ; a ‘

lawyer fro m an ot her law yer s clie n t ; a min ist er fro m ’

a n o t her mi n ist e r S h e ar e r s
’ '

t h e press w as free, t hey

,

had a ri g ht t o o ffer t he ir reaso n s bu t w he n as defe n ders ,

 LEG AL DI FFI CULTI ES . 1 93

of t h e fait h t hey st rive by bit t er i n vect ives t o rob us

, ,

fir st of ou r reput at io n in order t o i n fl ue n ce a jury t o

,

e n able t he m t o rob us of our propert y an d t hu s i n a , ,

pre t e n ded ze al for p ie t y a n d m oralit y bear false w it n e ss ,

again st t heir n e ig hbor sur e ly e v e ry t h i n ki n g u n pr e ju

, ,

di ce d p e r s on m ust se e t heir co n duct i n it s t ru e lig h t a n d ,

de t es t i t ” .

At t h e fin al hearin g of t h e case in Ju n e 1 7 86 M r , , .

M urray w as on a preachin g t o u r in t h e St a t e of Con

n e c t ic u t M rs M urray has preserved in t h e me m o ir
. .

of her husban d t h e foll o w in g ext ract fro m a l e tt er

an n oun cin g t o h im t h e result
“
L as t Tu esday our part y w it h th eir cloud of w it n esses
w e re pre se n t a n d called ou t a t t h e bar of t h e supre m e
,

judici al court The cause w as O p e n ed by M r Bradbury

. .

an d re p lie d t o by M r H it c h b or n e The court adj ourn e d t o

. .

t h e succee d in g m orn in g I arri ved just in seaso n t o hear

.

it t aken u p by M r Parson s an d cl os e d by M r S ullivan

'

. .

I w ish for an opport un it y t o ren d e r m y ackn o w led gme n t s

t o t h is g e n t le m an He displayed upon t his day a n elo
.

qu e n ce n ot l e ss t han Rom an The jud g es summ ed up .

t h e w h ole The firs t w a s am big uous t h e seco n d w as so

.
,

t rammelled a n d i n art i culat e as t o be scarcely u n ders t ood ;

-

bu t t h e re m ain in g t hree h ave acqu ired a glory w h ich w i ll

be as last in g as t im e The co n duct of Jud g e Dan a at
.

t r act ed part icular n ot ice You re m em ber h e heret ofore .

l abored ag ain st us There ap peared a disposit io n t o t r a

.

verse our coun sel in his co mm en t s on t h e Con st it ut io n ,

t hose part s w hich m ade for us he t ur n ed ag ai n st us he

assert ed t h e t a x w a s n ot p e rsecut in g bu t le g al ; relig ious ,

societ ies w ere bodi e s corpo rat e or m ean t t o be so ; sect ,

an d d e n o m in at io n w ere pro m isc u ously u sed an d sy n on

y
mous ; an d t h e w hole w as delivered w it h a se n t e n t iou s
g ravit y t h e resul t of facu l t i e s laboriously cult ivat e d by
,

VOL . I . 13
1 94 UNI V ERs ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

e xperien ce an d st udy B u t a revolut ion had n ow passe d

.

i n his m i n d an d w he n he n ot iced t hat art icle i n t h e C on

,

st it u t ion w hich direct s m o n eys t o be applied t o t h e

t eacher of his ow n reli g ious sec t he said t h e w hole cause ,

depe n ded upo n t h e co n st ruct ion of t hat clause He h ad .

here t ofore bee n of opin io n it m ean t t eachers of bodies

corporat e he t he n t h oug ht ot h er w ise A s t h e C on st it u .

t io n w a s m ean t for a liberal purpose i t s co n st ruc t ion ,

S hould be of a m os t liberal kin d I t m ean t i n t his i n .

s t an ce t eachers of an y persuasio n w hat ever J e w or ,

M aho m e t an I t w ould be for t h e jury t o de t erm in e if

.

M r M urray w as a t eacher of pie t y reli g io n an d m orali t y

.
, , .

That m at t er he said had i n his Opi n ion been fully

, , , ,

proved The o n ly quest io n t h erefore before t hem w a s

.
, , ,

if M r M urray cam e w it hi n t h e descript io n of t h e Con

.

s t i t u t ion an d h a d a ri g h t t o require t h e m o n ey I t is ‘
.
,

m y opi n io n he deci de dly declared t hat M r M urray

,
’
,
‘
.

co mes w i t hin t h e descript io n of t h e Co n st i t u t io n an d has ,

a ri g h t t o require t h e mo n ey T h e jury received t h e

.
’

caus e an d depart ed t h e court at half past t hree I n t h e

,
-
.

ev e n in g t hey ret urn ed w it h a declarat io n t hat t h e y cou ld

n ot a r e e
g T h e chief jud g e w i t h so m e asperi t y ord e r e d
.

t h e m t o t ake t h e pape r s a n d g o ou t ag ai n T h ey c on .

t i n n e d i n deliberat io n t h rou gh t h e w hole n i g ht Th ursday .

m or n i n g t hey cam e i n a g ain declari n g t heir u n an im ous

,

agree m e n t t hat t h e judg m e n t obt ain e d t h e precedin g y e ar

w a s i n n ot h i n g e rr on e ou s Thu s h ave w e g ai n e d our
.

cause aft er t ri als of such expect at io n a n d severit y We

,
.

rej oice g reat ly I t is t h e L ord s doin g s an d m arve llous

.
‘ ’
,

in our eyes (pp 3 35 .

,

It i s sai d t ha t w he n t h e j ury w ere se n t ou t t h e las t

t im e ,

the fore m an m ade an earn est appeal for M r M urray .

,

urg in g t hat his support ers h ad as g ood a ri g ht t o w orship

God accordin g t o t he dict at es of con scie n ce as o t hers h ad ,
 C OS T O F THE LAWS UI T . 1 95

an d t hat
he w as prepared t o ren der a verdict accordin g ly .

He t hen co m posed hi m self t o sle e p w it h t h e rem ark t hat ,

t he y m i gh t arouse h i m as soon as t hey could ag ree .

The n arrat or Of t his in c iden t al so says

“ Tradit io n has han ded dow n t h e follow in g i n cide n t
co n n ect ed w it h t his t ri al M r Giddi n g s a Q uake r w as . .
, ,

on t h e st an d t o t e st ify t hat M r M urray s su pp ort ers h a d

’
.

a h ouse of w orship I t had been object ed ag ain st t h em

.

t hat t hey h ad a secre t w hich i n t h e s t at e of public ,

aff airs at t hat t i m e m ig h t be dan g erous t o t h e libert ies

,
.

of t h e people M r Gid di n g s bei n g quest io n ed on t his

. .
,

poi n t an d pressed rat her cl osely at le n gt h an s w ered

, , ,

‘
Ye s t h e y h ave a secre t a n d it is t his (quo t i n g Ps xxv
, ,
. .

“
The secret of t h e L ord is w i t h t hem t h at fe ar
hi m an d h e w ill S ho w t he m his cove n an t ” They have
,
.

1
n o ot h e r secre t t o m y k n o w led g e
’
.
,

’
The cost of t his suit t o M r M ur ray s support ers is .

n ot kn o w n b u t t h e am ou n t paid b y t h e F ir s t Parish t o
,

their ag e n t w as i n s m a ll s u m s fro m 1 7 83 t o 1 7 88 a
, ,

t ot al of seven t y—fiv e pou n ds five s h illin g s an d four

pen ce ; n ot m uch of it it em ized as vot ed b y t h e pari sh ,

commit t ee bu t on e it e m passed on at t hei r meet in g

, , ,

M arch 2 3 1 7 8 7 readin g t hus

, ,

T w e n t y—four pou n ds it bein g w hat he [ S amuel Whi t

,

t e more ] g ave h i s n ot e for t o Theophilus Bradbury a n d

Th e op h ilus Parson s E sqr s on i n t erest dat ed Jun e
,
.
, , ,

1 7 86 as t heir fees i n behalf of t h e parish ”

, .

Durin g t h e progress of t h i s t ri al M r M urray d id n ot .

relax his in dus t ry an d zeal in t h e w ork of t h e m in is t ry .

His w ife says in t h e memo ir t ha t he

1 Hist or y of t h e T own of Gl ou ce st e r , by John J . B abson , p 43 5
.

2
Parish C om mit t e e Re c ords p ,
. 12 0 .
 1 96 UNI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

con t in u ed un iformly t o devot e t h e sum mer mon t h s t o

his mult i pl ied adheren t s, from M aryl an d t o N e w Hamp
shire I n w hat man n er is cop i ousl y descri bed in his
.

L e t t ers an d S ke t ches of S er mo n s ’
‘
I n t h e February .

of 1 7 83 w e fi n d t h e preacher as usual deeply i n t erest ed

, , ,

i n t h e cau s e of his g reat M as t er an d sugg es t in g in a l e t

,

t e r t o h i s fr i e n d an d fello w lab orer M r N oah Parker

-
, .
,

t h e propr i e t y of an an n ual m ee t in g of t h e heral ds of re

de m pt i on His w ords are : In deed it w oul d gladden
.
‘
,

m y hea rt i f eve ry on e w ho s t an ds fort h a publ i c w i t n ess

of t h e t rut h as i t is i n J esu s coul d have an opport un it y
,

of see in g an d con versi n g on e w it h an ot her at l east on ce

every year I believe i t w ould b e at t en ded w it h very
.

g oo d e ffect s Thi n k of it m y frien d, a n d l e t me kn o w

.
,

t h e r es ult of your delibe rat ion I t hin k t he se servan t s

.

of t h e M ost Hig h might a ssembl e on e year at N orw ich ,

on e ye ar at Bos t o n , an d an o t her at Port smout h or ,

w herever it may be m ost con ven ie n t I have l o n g c on .

t e mp l at e d an assoc i at i o n of t his descrip t io n ; an d t h e

lon g er I de l iberat e, t h e m ore I a m co n vin ce d of t he u t il
i t y w h i ch w ould be an n exed t o t h e re g ul at ion (pp 33 6 .
,

I n th e sum m er o f 1 7 83 he vi s it ed Ph il adel phia an d ,

hel d his first in t erv ie w w it h Rev El han an W in ches t er .

,

t o b e mor e ful l y describ ed in an ot her pl ace Durin g .

t h i s a b sen ce fr om home he v i s it e d Good Luck bu t ,

Thoma s P o t t er w as n ot t here t o gree t h i m havin g de ,

part ed t his life in April 1 7 82 I n h i s w ill dated M ay

, .
,

1 1 1 7 7 7 an d proved M ay 2 1 7 82 he t hus d is posed o f

, , , ,

t h e house of w orsh i p

The house I bu ilt for t h ose t hat God shall cause t o

m eet t her e t o serve or w orship H im [ 1 devot e ] t o t h e s ame
use s t ill, an d I w ill t hat my dear frien d John M urray , ,

preacher of t h e g ospel shall ha ve t h e sole direct i on an d

,
 MR . M URRAY AT GO OD LUC K . 1 97

man age me n t of said house a n d on e acre of lan d w here t h e

,

house n ow st an ds for t h e use above me n t ion ed ” 1 .

hi s Let t ers a n d Sket ch e s vo l i pp 33 4—341

In
“
,
. .
,

M r M urray t hus describes t h i s pro b a bly h i s las t v i s it

.
, ,

t o hi s firs t A merica n home :

“ ri de t o t his place has bee n very disag reeable

My ,

t h e heat so in t e n se a n d t h e san d so de ep an d n o ho s pi
, ,

t abl e Frie n d Po t t er in vie w Dear hon ored frie n d t h e .

, ,

first pat ro n w it h w hich I w as blesse d i n t h is N e w World ,

h ow i n dul g e n t w ert t hou t o m e w it h h ow m uch be n e v o

'

le n ce didst t hou cherish m e w he n a st ran g e r i n t h y m an

sio n an d h ow didst t hou labor for my advan ceme n t "
,

M an y ag e d perso n s w h o w ere i n t h e habit of at t e n di n g

my labors have visit e d m e They exp ress t heir ho n e st .

sen sibilit y i n a variet y of w ays bu t all are ove rjoyed t o ,

see me They are solicit ous t o pour i n t o my c ar t h e

.

st ory of t heir accumulat ed sufferi n g s They im ag in e .

t he y S hall reap pleasure fro m co mm is e rat ion Ye t w hat .

,

alas can helpless pit y do " There is ho w ev e r m uch

, , ,

pleasure in co mm un icat in g our sorrow s t o a sympat hizi n g

frie n d .

“
I am n ow i n t h e house t hat on ce belo n g ed t o t h e v e n
crable Pot t er t o m
y frie n d Po t t er
,
I a m n ot ho w ever .
, ,

an occupan t of t h e sam e apart m e n t w hich he fi t t ed up

for my use an d direct ed m e t o co n sider as m y ow n .

Th at apart me n t a n d t h e g reat e r part of t h e house is de

, ,

vot e d t o t hose w h o lo ved n ot h i m an d kn ew n ot m e .

Al as w h at is t his w o rld H ow oft e n w e t h us e xcl aim

'

t hus ask be cause w e i mag i n e i t is n ot w h at i t should be

,
.

Were it u n der our direct io n it w ould be bet t er m an ag ed ,

bu t it is n ot n or ever w ill be O n e t hin g is cert ain

,
on .
,

life t here is litt le or n o depe n den ce This dear m an .

,

1 From t h e offic i al C op yi
n t he S e cr e t ar y of S t at e
’
s Offic e , T re n t on ,
N J
. .
, Libe r N 2 4, pp 1 1 7 , 1 1 8
. . .
1 98 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t his Am erica n oss w a s sudde n ly s n at ched ’

M AN or R ,

fro m t h e scen es of t im e de prived in s t an t ly of reaso n , ,

an d ,
i n a f e w hours of life His soul proud scien ce ,
.
‘

n ever t au ht t o s t ray
g B u t he w a s a g e m of t h e first .
’

quality a n d n o t w it hs t a n din g t h e c r ust w hich fro m his

, ,

birt h e n folded h im y e t by t h e ru bs he suffered fro m t h e

,

pe bbl e s am o n g w hich he w as placed t his c r us t w as so far ,

br oke n as t o e m it upo n alm os t every c om mo n t h e n at ive

, ,

S ple n dor of his i n t ellec t Had t his m a n i n early life r e .

c e i ve d t h e cult ure of N at ure s han d m aid w h at a lumi n ous

’
,

fi g ure h e w ould h ave m ade " B u t t h e G od of n at ure h ad

st am ped hpo n his soul t h e i mag e of hi m self — u n bou n de d ,

be n evol e n ce .

I reached t his place yest erday eve n i n g The s u n w a s .

just set t in g an d as I passe d t hrou g h t h e w ell kn o w n

,
-

fields an d saw t hem rich a n d fl ourishi n g i n all t h e pride

of n at ure I fel t an irrat ion a l ki n d of an g er g ro w at my
,

heart t hat t hose fields shoul d look so exceedin g g ay w hen

,

t heir m ast er h a d t ake n a n everlas t i n g leave of every

t erres t rial sc e n e The depressio n upo n m y S pirit s as I
.
,

reache d t h e house w as i n describable I beheld on e an d ,

.

an o t her w hose faces I h a d n ever before see n An ugly .

m as t iff g ro w le d a t m e as I pass e d ; an d t his is t h e first

t i m e s a id I t hat I w a s ever g r o w led a t in t his place by
, ,

a n y of t h y ki n d ; b u t h e w a s soo n sile n ced by a lad w h o

,

w a s brou g ht up by m y frie n d L ord bless me I S n ot .

t his M r M ur ray . Wh y M at t do y ou re me mber ‘

, ,

me Re me m ber y ou S ir Re m e m ber M r M u rr ay , .

Yes i n deed sir

,
This dog does n ot M att " — B u t
, .
’ ‘
,
’ ‘

he w ould if he had lived i n mast er s t i m e ; bu t he is a ’

st ran g e r They are all st ran g ers M at t are t hey n ot

.
’ ‘
, ,

I n deed t hey are all bu t m y m ist ress an d myself , .

’

An d w h ere is y our m is t ress M at t I w ill call h e r , ,

S ir
.
— N o m y g oo d lad n ot y e t
‘
,
What have y ou ,
.

for my horse ? — N ot hi n g bu t g rass N ot hi n g at

‘
.
’ ‘

M r Pott er s bu t g rass — Ah sir it is n ot n ow t h e

’ ‘
.
, ,
 M R M URRAY Ar G OOD LUC K 1 99
'
. .

house of M r Pot t er True t rue t rue " L eave me

.
‘
, , ,

my g ood lad leave m e

’
.
,

I w alked rou n d t h e h ouse e n t ered every ave n ue , ,

looked at my g arde n it w a s m ade f or m e The t rees

, .
,

t h e fl o w erin g shrubs have ru n w il d an d t h e w h ole sur , ,

face of t h e spot is covered w it h w e e d s This ple ase d .

me ; just so I w oul d h ave i t .

“
T h is is t h e t re e plan t e d by m y ow n han d H ow .

fl ourishi n g " B u t w h ere is t h e ot h er plan t e d d i r ec t ly ,

Opposi t e a t t h e s a m e m o m e n t by m y frie n d Alas " like

it s plan t er dead ,On t h is very s pot I firs t s a w t h e phi
.

l an t h r opi st C a n you assis t m e S i r ? — Yes s i r

.
‘
,
’ ‘
,
.

‘
On w hat t er m s — I receive n o pay m e n t sir He‘
,
.

w h o g ave t o m e did n ot char g e m e a n y t h i n g ; y ou a r e

w elcom e at t h e price Here our acqu ai n t an ce c om ’

.

me n ce d ; bu t it is e n ded at least i n t h e p res e n t st at e I , .

shall see hi m n o more on t his side e t e rn it y On t his .

se at w e sat a n d t here t h e t e a r of t ran spor t rolled do w n

,

h is fur ro w ed ch eek w h e n w e con v e rse d upon t hat r e

de mpt ion w hich is i n C h rist J e sus U n d er t hat oak w e .

h ave freque n t ly sat co n t e m pl at i n g t h e S hado w fro m t h e

,

h e at t h e h idi n g place fro m t h e st orm

,
-
At yon de r g at e be .

bid m e farew ell a n d w iped his ve n erable e y e At yo n de r

,
.

g at e I t u rn ed he w aved his han d G od Al m i g h t y bl e ss ,

y ou ; you w ill co m e a g ai n Fo r g et n ot your fri e n d s y our .

,

an cie n t frien d If I do said m y heart m a y my ri g h t

.
’
,
’
,

han d forg e t it s cu n n i n g " B u t I forg o t t h e e g oo d O l d ’

,

m an t oo lon g I for g ot t h ee
, An d n ow t hat I a m a t last
re t urn ed t h ou a rt n ot here t o bid m e in t h e polit est t hat
, ,

is in t h e si n ceres t m an n er w elco m e
, ,
.

“
M r s Po t t er appr oac h e d
. Sh e lift e d up h e r han ds .

an d ey e s i n S peechless an g uis h seat ed h e rs e lf ch an g e d , ,

color — n o m at t er t h e w orst is passed I have v isit ed

,
~

,
.

t h e mee t i n g house re ared by his h an d for t h e w orshi p of

-

hi s God I t is e m boso m ed i n a g rove of st at ely oaks all

. ,

t ri m med a n d i n beautiful or de r
,
U n de r t h is sh ad e r e .
200 UNI VERS A LI SM I N AM ERI C A.

p ose t h t h e man by w ho m t h e h ouse w as rais ed, by w ho m

t h e g rove w a s pla n t e d I beheld his grave I t w as n ot
. .

a m arble a h a r d m a r bl e t h at i n form ed m e w h ose dust l ay

, ,

t here ; i t w as a feeli n g m ec h an ic w h o havi n g e xp e ri ,

e n ce d m uc h kin d n ess f r o m t h e d eceased w e pt w he n he ,

t ol d m e t hat spo t c on t a i n e d t h e de a d I carefully e x .

a m i n e d t h e g r ave t o se e if a n
y w eeds g re w t h e re No .
,

n o t he y h a d n o busi n e ss t here
, I could n ot pluck a .

n oxious n e t t l e f r o m h is
g rav e There g re w upon it a .

f e w w il d fl o w ers e m ble m at ic of t h e m i n d t hat o n ce i n

,

habit e d t h is in sen sat e clay At t h e foo t of t h e g rave st an ds

.

t h e m o s t m ajes t ic a n d fl ou r ishi n g of a l l t h e oaks w hich

surroun d t h e g rave I t w as o n ce on t h e poi n t of fal lin g
.

a sacrifice t o t h e axe m a n bu t my frie n d solicit ed f or it s

-
,

co n t in uan ce pro n ou n ci n g t hat i t w ould fl o u rish w he n he

,

should sle ep beside i t An d havi n g t h us rescue d it adde d

.
,

my i n form an t he has si n c e paid it p art icular at t e n t io n

, ,

w hich is t h e reaso n of i t s so far surpassi n g t h e o t her t re es .

Peace peace t o t h y S p i r it t h ou frie n dly feelin g

, , , , ,

fait hfu l m a n Thy dust is laid up t o rest n ear t h e house

t hou dids t build f or God bu t t h y spirit res t s w i t h God in
,

t h e house built by h i m f or t h e e a n d t h ou g h our dust may

n ot m ee t a g ai n our S p iri t s w ill m ee t a n d rejoice t og et h e r
,

i n t hose re g io n s of blessed n ess w here pai n c an fin d n o

e n t ran ce w h e re d e at h can n o m ore usurp do mi n ion
, ,

w h ere n o t ea r of sorro w shall e v er di m t h e j oy br i g ht e n ed -

eye f or w e shall part n o m ore forever I said t here w as

,
.

n o n e t t le on t his g rave On e t hin g ho w ever w a s very

.
, ,

re m arkable A g ourd h a d crept alo n g u n t il it came t o

.
,

a n d spread over his g rave ,

mixi n g i t s foliag e w i t h t h e
,

s w ee t sce n t e d fl o w ers t h at g re w t h ereo n

-
.

N ever w as place bet t er calculat ed for m elan choly

“

m usi n g t han t his S p o t S O t h ick t h e g rove aroun d

, The .

lit t le n eat g raveyard a t t h e e n d t h e S hut t ers of t h e ,

house for p ublic w orshi p all closed u p t h e lo n ely sit u ,

at io n i n vit i n g t h e birds t h eir m usic serves t o m ello w

,
 MR . M URRAY AT G OOD LU C K . 2 01

t he scen e ; all all is

, ,
m os t tru l y for sole mn medi t at io n
fit .

“I n house of w orship I have o n ce m ore preached

t h is .

I t is full t w o years S i n ce div i n e service has be e n per

for med t here I s e lect ed for my subject 1 Corin t hian s vi
. .

2 0 : For ye are bou g ht w it h a p rice : t herefore g lor i fy

‘

God i n you r body an d i n your spirit w h ich are God s

’ ’
, ,
.

At t h e cl ose of t h is serm on M r M urr ay advert ed in .

th e fol l o w in g t erms t o t h e charac t er of M r Po t t er .

Throu g h yo n de r ope n case m e n t I behol d t h e g rave

of a man t h e re c ollect io n of w hom s w ells my h eart w it h
,

grat it ude an d fills m y eyes w i t h t e ars

,
There Slee p s t h e .

sa cre d dust of h i m w h o w ell un derst ood t h e a dvan t ag es

result in g from t h e pu blic w orsh ip of t h e t rue God .

The re rest t h e as h es of h i m w h o g lorified God in his

body an d i n his spirit w h ich he w ell k n e w w ere t h e
, ,

Lord s He be lie v e d he w as bou ght w it h a price a n d

’
.
,

t he re fore h e declared t hat all he w as an d h a d w ere

right e ously du e t o t h e G od w h o had creat e d a n d p u r
chas e d h im w it h a price all price beyo n d There r e st s .

t h e pre cious dust of t h e frien d of st ra n g ers w hose h os ,

pi t abl e doors w ere ever O pe n t o t h e dest it ut e a n d hi m

w h o had n o n e t o relieve h i s sufferi n g s I myself w as .

on ce t h ro w n on t hese shores a desolat e st ran g er Th is , .

Ch ris t i an ma n brou g h t m e t o his habi t at io n God said ’

.
,

he , h at h blessed m e he has g ive n m e m ore t han a c om

‘

pe t e n cy an d he has g ive n m e a heart t o devo t e m yself

,

an d all t hat I have t o hi m I have built a place for his

.

n am e a n d w orship I w ould co n t in ue d t h e fait hful

.
,
’

man erect t hi s t e m ple m yself w it h w hat God had g ive n

,

me . M y n ei g hbors w oul d have le n t t heir aid bu t I re ,

fused assist an ce from an y on e I w ould myself build t h e .

house t hat God m i ght be w orshipped w i t hout co n t e m

,

t ion w it hou t i n t e rrupt io n ; t hat he m i g ht be w orshipped

,

by all w ho m he should vouchsafe t o se n d .

’
202 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

This ele gan t house m y frie n ds t h e firs t fri en ds w ho

, ,

hailed my arrival i n t his coun t ry t his e l e g an t house , ,

w it h it s a dj oi n i n g g rov e is you rs
, The fait hful foun der
.

be queat hed i t t o m e t h at n on e of you m ay be deprived of

it
. His dust reposes close t o t his m on umen t of h i s
piet y he sho w e d you by his life w h at it w as t o gl orify God
in bo dy an d spiri t ; a n d h e ha s left you t h i s house t hat
you may asse m ble here t o g et her list en t o t h e voice a n d
, ,

u n it e t o chan t t h e praises of t h e God w ho creat ed, w ho

has bou ght you w it h a pri ce an d w h o w ill preserve you
, .

Dear fait hful m an " w he n la st I st ood i n t his plac e

,

he w as presen t am on g t h e assem bly of t h e peopl e I .

marked his g list en in g eye ; it al w ays g list en ed at th e

e m phat ic n am e of Jesus E ven n ow I b ehol d in i magi
.

n a t ion h i s ven erable cou n te n an ce be n ign it y is seat ed on

his bro w ; his m in d is appare n t ly ope n an d con fidin g ;
t ran qu illit y re pose t h u pon his feat ures, an d t h e expres
sio n of each varyin g e m ot io n e v i n ce t h t ha t fait h w hich
is t h e pare n t of e n durin g peace of t hat peace w hich
,

passet h un derst an din g .

“
L e t us , my frie n ds im it at e his phil an t hropy his
, ,

pie t y, his charit y I m ay n ever ag ain meet you un t il w e

.

un it e t o s w ell t h e l oud hallelujah s before t h e t hron e of

God B u t t o hear of your fa it h of your perseveran ce
.
, ,

of yo u r broth erly love of your w orks of charit y w ill

, ,

hei g ht e n my en joym e n t s a n d soot he m y sorro w s even t o ,

t h e verg e of my m ort al pil g ri m ag e A cc ept my prayers

.

in your beh al f, an d l e t us un it e t o supplicat e our com

mon God an d Fat her for t h e m ig ht y bless in g of hi s
prot ect ion ” .

Thomas Po tt er left a larg e est at e an d, it w as sup

posed bu t a f e w debt s On e of hi s execut ors i t is sa id
,
.
, ,

in coll us ion w it h a n ot her person had ma n y f rau dul en t

,

cl aim s presen t ed t o mee t w hi ch n ecess it a t ed th e sal e Of

,

a port i on O f th e est at e in w h ich t h e meet in g hou se

,
-
 S ALE O F T HE POT TER M EETI NG HOUSE -
. 203

propert y w a s in cl uded The purchaser w as a relat ive

.

of t h e f raudul e n t execu t or a n d on N ov 7 1 80 9 for ,

.
, ,

t he con sidera t i o n of on e hu n dred an d t w e n t y fiv e dol -

lars he con veyed t h e property t o Pau l Pott er Sam ue l

, ,

Woodm an s ie John Cramm er Cal e b Fal ke n b urg Isaac

, , ,

Rogers John Tilt o n an d Davi d Ben n e t t rus t ees ; a

, , ,

clause of t h e deed readin g as foll o w s :

Th at t h e y shall a t all t imes forever hereaft er perm it
such m in ist ers an d preachers belo n g i n g t o t h e said ch urch
as S hall fro m t im e t o t i m e be duly aut hor ized by t h e

Gen eral Co n feren ce of t h e m i n ist ers an d preach e rs of

t h e sai d M e t hodist E p iscopal C h u rch or by t h e yearly ,

con feren ce aut horized by t h e sai d Gen eral Con fere n ce ,

a n d n on e ot h e rs t o preach an d expou n d God s holy w ord

’
,
”
t herei n .

The w idow o f Tho mas Po tt er Obt ain ed a co m pe t e n t

support in t h e se tt le m e n t of t h e est at e bu t w as in duced ,

by her hus ban d s n ephew t o make over her propert y t o

’

him he promis in g t o g ive her a co m fort able ho m e durin g

,

her lif e ; bu t his propert y w a s w ast ed b y mis man ag e

men t or m i sfort u n e an d t h e w ido w e n ded her days i n
,

the poorhous e 1 .

There w ere pro b ably d ifficul t ies in th e w ay of im

mediat e act i o n On M r M urray s sugg es t io n for a U n i ’
.

v e r sal is t A ssoc iat i on as m ade in t h e le t t er t o Rev N oah

,
.

Parker in 1 7 83 quot ed a f e w pag es back bu t an org an

,

iz at ion eff ec t ed in A pril 1 7 8 5 soug h t an d secured t his

, ,

des ired resul t There w ere man y U n i versal i s t s in t hat

.

part of Worcest er Coun t y M as s co m pri sed in t h e , ,

t ow n s of O xford Charl t o n Doug l as St urb r i dge S u tt on

, , , , ,

1 Se e t he A mbassa dor , M ar ch 2 3 , 1 8 6 7 , an d t he C h rist ia n L e a de r ,

vol . xl iv. n o. 46 , N ov 1 4, 18 7 4
. .
204 U NI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI CA .

an d Ward (t h e la tt er n ow t h e t ow n of A u b urn ) t h e re ,

sul t Of t h e la bors of Dr Davi s Cale b Rich a n d A dams

.
, ,

St ree t er as b efore me n t io n ed so m e of w hom un it ed t o

, ,

form The Se con d Relig ious S ociet y in O xford an d t he ,

Third In depe n den t Re l ig ious S oc ie t y in t h e Co mm o n

w ealt h ca ll ed U n iversa l is t s To t hem t h e i ssue of M r
”
. .
,

M urray s su it a g ain s t t h e F irst P ar is h in G l ouces t er

’

possessed great in t erest Sho u l d he l ose h i s case t hey

.

w ou l d b e ser i ous l y a ff ec t ed .

We are duly se n sible ” t hey w rot e t o t heir G l ou ce s

,

t e r bret hre n “ t h at our s t ren gt h depen ds on our bein g

,

ce m en t ed t o g et her in on e un it ed body in order t o an t ici ,

pat e an y e m barrassm en t of our Co n s t it u t io n al Ri g ht s ” .

They t herefore i ssued a call t o th e

bre t hren at Gloucest er Bost on Taun t on N e w p ort

, , , ,

Provide n ce an d so fort h t o for m an associat io n w hich

, ,

w e propose t o be held a t O xford Ye t as w e w ish t o .

acco m
,

m odat e t h e socie t ies at lar g e w e have o m itt ed t o ,

appoin t a t im e t ill w e shall hear fro m t h e bret h ren an d ,

if an y ot her place w ill be tt er acco mmodat e t h e bret hren

”
at lar g e w e sub
,
m it it for your advice .

Thi s w as i ssued J u ly 2 1 A copy w as se n t t o .

Prov i den ce b y t h e han d of Rev A dam s St ree t er w ho

.
.
,

w as i n s t ruc t ed t o exp l ain m ore fully t h e obj ec t of t h e

proposed mee t in g The a n sw er w en t by t h e same

.

han d an d t h e O x ford fr ie n ds w ere i n formed t hat t h e

,

proposed associat i on w as a
“
m easure t hey had reaso n t o believe t o be co n ducive t o
t h e w ell bei n g of g overn m e n t especially i n you r S t at e
-
, ,

un der your prese n t form of g overn m en t ; for w hich re aso n

w e shall heart ily joi n you i n such a m easure eit her by a ,

co mm itt e e or let t ers of correspon de n ce on t h e m at t er .

 ASSOCI ATI ON AT O FORD X . 2 05

As w e are a very s m all a n d poor people here w e can be ,

of bu t lit t le w ei g ht in m at t ers of such import an ce ; n ever

t h e l e ss observi n g your peculiar s t an din g in g overn m en t
, ,

w e can bu t earn est ly reco mm e n d [you ] t o b e careful n ot

t o d efen d yourselves ag ain s t oppressio n by O pp ress in g ,

especially i n matt ers of relig ion bu t l e t your m oderat ion

,

be kn o w n t o all m e n ; for w e k n o w w h e n t h e m in ds of
m e n are irri t at ed by u n due m easures t hey are apt t o ,

sw erve fro m t h e Golden Rule — do as you w ould be

,

don e by . Havin g bu t lit t le opport un it y t o w rit e at t his

t i me, w e sh all l e t y ou k n o w our m i n d m ore part icularly
by le t te r or co mm it t ee a t t h e t ime of m eet in g at O xf ord ,

w hich t im e w e shal l leave t o yourselves an d t o n ot if y us ,

by let t e r ” .

A mon t h la te r t h e t i me f or t h e meet in g of t h e A S
soc iat io n hav in g b een des ign ate d as S ep t 1 4 — th e .

various soc iet ies w ere n ot ified M r M u rray w rot e t o

. .

N oah Parker
“
Alt hough very m uch in disposed I am co mmen ci n g a
,

journ ey t o Oxford w here I expect t o meet a n umber of

,

our re li g ious br et hre n from d ifl e r e n t t ow n s i n w h ich t h e

g ospe l h as bee n preached an d believed for t h e purpose of
de libe rat i n g upon so m e plan t o defeat t h e desi g n s of our
en emies w h o a im at ro bbin g us of t h e libert y w h ere w it h
,

t h e Con s t it ut ion h a s m ade us free .

Tow ards th e last o f Sep t emb er M r . M urray aga in

w rites t o M r Parker
.

“
Well I have bee n t o Ox ford, an d t h e assem bly c on
,

ven ed t her e w as t ruly prim it ive We del iberat ed first

.
, ,

on a N A M E ; s e con dly, on t h e proprie t y of bein g un it e d

in our com mon defen ce ; t hirdly upo n t h e ut ilit y of an

,

an n ual m ee t in g of represe n t at ives fro m t h e di fferen t

societ ies ; an d, fourt h ly upon keepin g up a co n st an t cor
,
2 06 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA
.

respon den ce by let t er E ach of t h e part iculars is t o be

.

laid befo re t h e societ ies represe n t ed by t heir dele g at es

on t his occasio n a n d if approved t heir approbat io n t o
, ,

be an n oun ced by circular lett ers t o t h e several socie t ie s ” .

There w ere presen t at t his A ssoc iat i o n n in e l aym en ,

represe n t in g t h e fo ll ow in g l ocalit i es : Bos t o n Provi ,

den ce M ilford Be ll in g ha m an d Taun t o n The m in is

, , ,
.

t ers i n att e n dan ce w ere Joh n M urray Gl oucest er ; ,

Cal eb Rich War w i ck ; A dam s S t ree t er M ilford an d

, , ,

Elha n a n Win ches t er P h il ade lphia The latt er preached

, .

a serm o n bu t pro b ably did n ot part i c ipat e in t h e de

,

lib erat i on s at least n ot as a represen t at ive from Phil a

,

de lphia for he had n ot b een appo in t ed b y t h e b el ievers

,

in t hat cit y bu t w as in compan y w it h his ha lf—b ro t her

, ,

M oses spe n din g a year in N e w En g la n d

, The n ame .

ag reed upon by t h e Associa t i on t o b e recommen ded t o

t h e severa l co n g reg at io n s for t heir adop t i on w as In ,

depen den t Chri st ian S oc iet y com m on ly called Un iver ,

They
“
vot ed t hat each of t h e co mm it t ees from Bost on an d so ,

fort h S hall co n vey t o t heir several societ ies t o get h e r

, ,

w it h t h e n am e adopt ed a proposal t o co n sider t h e pr o ,

p r i e t y of each socie t y s a g reei n g n ot o n ly t o be calle d

’

by on e n am e bu t t o be ceme n t ed i n on e body cou se

, ,

que n t ly boun d by t h e t ies of love t o assist each o t her at

”
a n y an d all t i m es w he n occasio n shall require .

They a l so vot ed to

propose t o t heir co n st it ue n t s t h e propriet y of an an n ual

m ee t in g a n d t hat t h e firs t be held in Bos t on t h e secon d
,

Wedn esday i n S ept em ber ,

They al so u n an im ously vot ed t o adopt as t h e form of

organ izat i o n for t heir respect ive soc i e t ies a Chart er of
 C H ART E R or C OM PACT . 207

Compact w h i ch had rece n t ly ( Sept emb er 6 ) b een

,

draft ed an d adop t ed b y t h e G l oucest er U n iversali s t s as ,

reme dyin g so m e of t h e defec ts in t h e former Art i cl es

of As sociat io n I t w as u n doubt edl y l ai d b ef ore t h e
‘

Assoc iat io n by M r M urr ay a n d aft er a f e w Slig ht alt er

.
,

e t io n s w as adop t ed in t h e fo ll o w in g f orm
,

C HARTER OF COM PACT .

As i t is of t h e g reat est i m port an ce an d con duces t o

,

t h e safe t y an d hap p i n ess of a S ocie t y t o form t h e m selves

,

in a w ay w h ich is m ost h app if y i n g a n d secure i n t h e

g re at m at t ers of Reli g io n a n d M oral it y an d t o t ake all
,

such salut ary m eas ures as are poin t ed ou t in t h e Co n st i

t u t i on w e t herefore w h o h ave s e t our n am e s hereu n t o
, , ,

con vi n ced by reason an d t rut h do by our ow n in clin at io n

,

m u t ually e n g ag e an d p ledg e ourselves each t o t h e ot her

, ,

an d e n t er i n t o t h e follo w i n g Chart er of Co m pac t .

. 1 That t here be a st at ed an n ual m e e t in g of t h e S o

ci e t y on t h e seco n d Wedn esday in Ap ril every y e a r for ,

t h e purpose of choosi n g a select co mm i t t ee w hose p ow er ,

sh all be as h ereaft e r defi n ed an d t hat t here be at t h e

,

sam e t im e a clerk ch ose n t o t his S ociet y .

“
. 2 Th at t her e be fu n d s provided by volun t ary sub
scri pt io n for t h e purp ose of support in g a t each er or
t e achers of Pie t y Reli g ion an d M orali t y a n d for t h e
, , ,

purpose of assist i n g p oor an d dis t resse d bre t hr e n .

“
. 3 The pow e r s of t h e Co mm it t ee are t o ext e n d t o t h e
calli n g of a m eet i n g or m ee t i n g s of t h e S ociet y w hen ,

t he y S hall t hin k proper or on request of five Of t h e

,

S ociet y .

“
. 4 They have pow er t o ad mi t n e w sub scribers t hey
shall like w ise ac quain t t h e Clerk of t heir proceedin g s in ,

order t hat he m a y keep a re gu lar record .

.5 The Cle r k shall record t h e t ran sact io n s bot h of t h e

2 08 UNI VE RSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

S ociet y an d Co mm it t ee in a book Open t o the in spect ion

of an y on e .

6 The Clerk S hall be Treasure r of t h e S ociet y an d

.
,

S hall re g ularly repor t bo t h of t h e recept io n a n d di st r ib u

t io n of m on e ys t o t h e Co m pac t a t every a n n ual m eet i n g .

“
7 Al l w h o S hall subscribe an d n ot pu n ct ually pay
.
,

S hall be e xe m p t fro m t h e privile g es of t h e Char t er of

Co mpact an d t h e Co m pact have discret io n ary po w e r t o

,

re m it subscript io n s on reaso n able represe n ta t io n s m ade t o

t he m .

8 The subscript ion s shall be paid t o t h e Clerk w hich

.
,

w ill re n der useless t h e o ffice of a Collect or .

9 S ubscript io n s S hall be O pe n ed a t t h e an n ual m ee t

.

i n g s a n d con t i n ue at t hose periods u n less a n y circum

, ,

st an ces shall require t hem m ore freque n t ly .

10 Al l subscribers shall have an equal vot e

. .

1 1 All quest io n s S hall be de t erm i n ed by t w o t hirds Of

.

t h e pre se n t m e mbers a n d seve n shall co n s t it ut e a m ee t i n g

,
.

“
1 2 E very m e m ber or subscriber S hall have a fre e
.

libert y t o w ithdra w his n am e fro m t his Chart er w he n e ver

h e S hall see fit .

“
1 3 Whereas t h e privile g e O f choosi n g on e s own r e
’
.

l i g i on is i n es t im able i n order t o m ai n t ai n t hat privil e g e

,

un i mpaired in case an y perso n associat i n g w it h us shall

,

suff e r persecut io n fro m an u n law ful exercis e of po w er w e ,

do ag ree a n d resolve t o afford all le g al m e asures of e xt ri .

c at i n g h i m fro m difficult y a n d of e n ablin g h i m t o en joy

,

t hat freedom w hich is held fort h i n t h e Co n st i t ut io n .

“1 4 A n d be it un iversally kn o w n t hat w e w h o have

,
.

s e t our n am es t o t his Chart er of Co m pact for t h e pur

poses heret ofore n am ed are co m posed of an d belon g t o

, , ,

t h e I n depe n de n t Christ ia n S ocie t y i n co mmo n ly

” 1
called Un iver s a l is t s .

1 F or ot h e r p a pe rs re l at in g t o t his A ssociat ion , se e t he U n ive rsal ist

-

Q u art e rl y f or J ly
u ,
1 8 7 4 , pp 3 2 8—
. 3 44 .
 M EET I NG- HOUSE I N B OS T O N .
209

In a S hort t i m e t h i s co mpact w as adopt ed by t h e

societ ies in M ilford Oxford a n d War w i ck The frien ds
, , .

in Bos t on w ro t e t ha t t hey b e lieved it t o b e t heir du t y

t o con s i der t hemse lves of on e b ody of w hich Jesus “

Christ is t h e Hea d bu t did n ot an n ou n ce t heir in t e n

,

t ion t o org a n ize i n j ust t h e w ay n or u n der t he p art i cu ,

lar n ame t hat h a d b ee n desig n at ed I t is prob able t hat

,
.

t hey had an orga n i zat i on O f some k in d b efore t h e m ee t

in g Of th e As socia t io n alt hou g h n o records are foun d Of
,

an earli er dat e t ha n J an 1 1 7 86 They purchased a .

, .

house of w orship in O ct ob er 1 7 85 The dat e of t h at , .

purchase is g en erall y g iven as Decemb er 2 9 bu t a l et t er ,

of John M ur ray da t ed N ov 5 1 7 85 says , .

, ,

Ou r frie n ds i n t his place have m a de las t w eek a very

great purchase They have boug ht Doct or M at h er s ’
.

mee t i n g house t hat w as — a very ele g an t co mm odious

-
, ,
”
house .

This house w as a w oode n st ruct ure an d w as erect ed

in 1 7 42 b y t h e adhere n t s of Rev Sa m ue l M a t her D D .
,
. .
,

w h o aft er b ei n g pas t or Of t h e Ol d N ort h Ch u rch for

,

abo ut n in e years w a s b y h i s ow n request dism issed in

,

1 7 41 Wit h h im a b ou t t hir t y m e n an d t w i ce as m a n y
.

w ome n separa t ed from t h e Old N ort h a n d e s t ab lished

a n e w societ y Their house of w orship w as b uilt on

.

t he corn e r of N ort h Be n n e t an d Ha n over s t ree t s The .

societ y w as un able t o con t in ue aft er Dr M at her s deat h

’
.
,

hen ce t he sal e Of t heir propert y t o t h e U n iversa list s .

The Prov i den ce fri e n ds sa id in a l e tt er t o t h e Oxford ,

Society N ov 2 7 1 7 8 5 t ha t
, .
, ,

a Copy of t h e proceedi n g s of t h e A ssociat io n held in

Oxford on t h e i 4t h of S ep t e mber las t a n d a copy of t h e ,

vor. I . .
I 4
2 10 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Chart er of Co mpact (so called) agr ee d t o by t h e members

of said soc i et y at O xfor d have bee n laid b efore a m eet in g
,

of a sm all n umber of us i n t his t ow n w h o have ag reed t o ,

dis t in g uish o u rselves for t h e prese n t by t h e n ame of T h e

Provid e n ce Un i ve r sa lis ts .
”

It i s prob abl e t ha t t here w as n o defin it e org an izat i on

in t h i s p l a ce . As w e ha ve s e en in t h e precedin g cha p
t e r me e t in g s w ere he l d as O pport u n i t y for preach in g
,

all ow ed w hi ch un der t h e circumst a n ces espec iall y

, , ,

a ft er t h e deat h Of M r St ree te r must have ma de t heir

.
,

gat herin g s very in fre q uent an d t h eir orga n i zat i on prob

,

a bly amou n te d t o n o more t han t hi S t h at f or t h e ,

-

purposes o f correspon den ce on e o f t heir n umber w as

appo in t ed cl erk This w as Zephan iah An dre w s t o
.
,

w hom on t h e 9 t h of Ju n e 1 7 86 M r W in chest er sen t

, , , .

t h e f o ll o w in g l e t t er fro m Phil ade l ph i a

M y dear frie n ds i n Provi de n ce w hom I l ove in t he ,

t ru t h ,for th e t rut h s sake w hich dw ellet h in us an d shall

’
,

be in u S forever .

I se n d my sin cere affect ion t o you all, re memberin g

your kin dn esses an d frien dly offices t o us w hen w e w e re
w i t h you ; for w he n w e w ere st ran g ers you t ook us in ,

w he n w e w ere hun g ry you fed us w he n w e w ere t hirsty ,

you g ave us drin k w hen w e w ere sick you m in i st ered to

,

us ; an d I doubt n ot bu t if w e h ad been n aked you w oul d

h ave clot hed us an d h ad w e bee n i n prison you w ould
‘

have com e u n t o u s I pray t h at my God w ould supply

.

all your n eeds accordin g t o his riches i n gl ory by Christ

,

Jes u s He is ri ch t houg h I am poor ; an d He is able t o

.
,

rew ar d you m an ifold accordin g t o your l ab or of love ; for

God is n ot un ri ght eous t o forg et your w ork an d labor of
l ove, an d our S aviour assures us t hat n ot a cup Of cold
w at er ( eve n t hou g h g ive n o n ly in t h e n am e o f a di sc iple ) ,

s hall lose i t s re w ar d .
 ESE K EDD Y . 211

An d dear frien ds st an d fast in t h e t rut h w hich

n ow , ,

ye have heard a n d be n ot t urn e d asi de t herefro m by an y

,

cun n in g craft in ess O f m e n w hereby t he y lie i n w ait t o

de ce ive E n deavor t o g ro w in g race a n d in t h e k n o w l
.

e dg e an d love of Chris t Jesu s our L ord t ill you co m e t o ,

his kin g dom an d g lory .

I heart ily salut e you frien ds E ddy Wat erman Hill , , , ,

Gladdi n g An dre w s S isso n an d all ot her my frien ds

, , ,

w h ose n ames I can n o t m e n t io n i n part icular .

I rest yours e t c , .

E L H A N A N WI N C H E S T E R .

Th e person s n amed in t h e ab ove w ere all me n of

good st a n din g in t h e co mm u n i t y bu t w e have n o par ,

t icu l ars respec t in g m an y of t hem E sek E ddy w as a .

ship carpen t er by t rade an d a ma n of great am iabilit y

-
,

an d ood n ess
g Early in life he b ecam e a m em b er Of t h e
.

B en efice n t Con gr eg a t ion a l Church un der t h e past ora t e ,

of Rev M r Sn o w Durin g on e of t h e earli es t v i sit s Of

. . .

John M u rr ay t o Prov ide n ce he preached in Rev M r . .

Sn ow s m eet in g house a n d t here M r Eddy heard h im

’
-
.
,

an d b eli eve d t h e m essa e t o w hich he l is t e n ed The

g .

church sum m o n ed h im t o t ri al for his heresy an d w hen ,

he w as req ues t ed t o Off er w hat he m ig h t w i sh t o in de

fen ce Of hi s course he sim p ly repeat ed t h e apos t o lic
,

w ords ,
“
We b o t h l ab or an d su ff er reproach b ecause w e
t rust in t h e li v in God w h o is t h e Saviour of al l m e n
g , ,

especi all y of t hose t hat b elieve The t rial result ed in .

a resol u t ion t o excommu n ica t e w hi ch w a s carried ou t ,

publicly th e here t ic b ein g re q uired t o st an d in th e

,

broad ai s l e an d l is t en t o t h e rea din g of hi s sen t en ce ,

an d of an an a t hem a
g iv in g h im over t o t h e b u ffet in g s
of Sat an SO g reat ho w ever w as t h e puri t y of his
.
, ,
2 12 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

life an d so fa it hfu l h i s d is charg e of all relig i ous Oblig a

,

t i o n s t hat t h e church soli c it ed his re t urn t o it s com

,
-

mu n i on He m ade a n s w er t hat he w ou l d cheerfu lly do

.

so if t hey w ou l d receive h im b ack as pu bli cly as t hey

p u t h i m ou t Th i s t hey refused t o do an d he rem ain ed
.
,

t h e Lord s fr ee m a n
’
He died i n 1 82 0 i n th e e n j oy
.
,

men t an d t riumph of Chri st ia n fait h ag ed 89 years , .

Rufus Wat erman w as a soap an d can dl e m aker .

/
He w as n ever a ma n of sho w w as rat her a Q u ak e i I n
,
’

hi s habit s lived respect abl y bu t u n os t en t a t i ously ; w as

, ,

n ot l o quac i ous bu t he w as hon es t b en evolen t an d , ,

w ea l t hy Hon est as Rufus Wat erman w as a proverb ’

.
,

i n Prov iden ce M r Wa t erm a n w as or ig in all y a B ap t ist f

. .

a n d a memb er of t h e F irs t Bap t i s t Church several

years ; bu t ab ou t 1 7 80 he b eca m e a Un i versalist at ,

w h i ch t i m e he e i t her w i t hdre w or w a s excommu n ica t ed

from the church He lived t o an advan ced ag e an d w as

.
,

on e of t h e in corporat ors of t h e firs t U n i versa li s t S oc i et y

in Prov i de n ce in 1 82 1 .

A t M ilford an org an i za t i on had b ee n eff ect ed b efore

t h e m ee t in g of t h e A ssociat i o n t h e records sho w in g w h o
,

w ere t h e memb ers Of t h e soc i e t y i n A u g us t 1 7 85 Of , .

t h e earl y l a b ors in t hat reg i o n me n t i o n has b ee n m ade

i n a preced in g chap t er A t Be llin g ham t here w as n o
.

organ iz at i on n or w as t here an y in Taun t on n or in N e w

, ,

port E ast Green w ich an d Cu m b erl a n d R I a lt hough

, , ,
. .
,

t here w ere a n um b er of b e li evers in each o f t hese

p l aces w h o w ere eag er t o hear t h e preached w ord as
o ft en as opport u n it y o ff ered .

O f Re v El han an Win chest er w h o preached at Oxford

.
,

durin g t h e sessio n o f t h e A ssoc iat i on it i s i mposs ibl e t o

,

speak w it h j us t i ce w it hi n n ar ro w li m it s He w as a .
 ELHANAN WI NCHES TER . 2 13

m an o f pecu liar g ift s an d of w on derf u l a n d comma n d

in g in fluen ce He w as t h e o l dest of fift een childre n of
.

Elha n an Win che st er a respec t abl e an d in dus t rious

,

mechan i c an d w as b orn in Brooklin e M ass Sep t 3 0

, , ,
.
,

17 5 1 . At t h e ag e of five he cou l d read w it h flue n cy ,

it w as said an y t hin g t he n pr i n t ed in t h e En g li sh l an
,

u
g g a e He
. l ear n ed rap i d l y a n d had a re t e n t ive m e m
,

ory devoured w it h av i di t y all b ooks t hat cam e in his

,

w ay ; bu t of a ll t hat he read t h e Bib l e w a s h i s favorit e

“

compan ion Fro m t hi s early an d ex t en si ve ac q uain t

.

an ce w it h t h e Script ures his frie n ds n a t urally predict ed

his fu t ure e m in en ce an d useful n ess .

He w as of a con t e m plat ive t urn wh ich co n n ect ed , ,

w it h h i s S cript ur al at t ain m en t s probably laid t h e f ou n da

,

t ion of t hat reli g ious c h arac t er for w hich in s u bseque n t

”
life h e w as pre e m in en t ly dist in g u ished
-
.

Ow in g t o his res t ric t ed c ircumst an ces t h e e l der M r , .

Win chest er w as un ab le t o do an yt h in g for t h e educa

t i on of his ch il dre n b eyo n d a fford in g t he m t h e t he n
,

m eagre advan t ag es of t h e d i s t r ic t school B u t the .

min d of Elhan an rose super i or t o c ircums t an ces His .

t hi rst for l earn in g w a s i rrepress ib l e Whe n a Lat in ”

.

gram mar w as p laced i n h i s han ds he qua lified h i mse l f

in on e even in g t o t h e ag reeab le surpr ise Of his t eacher
, ,

t o recit e w it h a c l ass w h i ch had b een s t udyin g severa l

w eeks ; an d t h e sam e e n erg e t ic an d perseverin g spirit

en abled him in l ate r yea rs t o ac qu ire n o m ean k n ow l edg e

of Hebrew Greek an d Fre n ch
, , .

“
In his con st it ut io n E lhan an w a s n at urally feeble
,
.

Throug h life he w as t h e al most con st an t S u bj e ct of dis

e ase an d p a in He developed in childh o od a n am iable
.

d isposit io n a n d a m ild co n ciliat i n g t em per

, ,
I have n o .
‘
2 14 UNI VERSALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

recollect ion of seein g h im i n a p assion ( w rit es a bro t her)

w hile livin g w it h my fat her He alw ays m ade it a .
’ ‘
,

rule (w rit es an ot her) n eve r t o speak evil of an y perso n .

I n deed he see m ed an en t ire st ran g er t o e n vy an d

, ,

w as n o less re m a rkable for his hum ilit y t han h i s g e n er

osit y . M r V idler in h is sket ch m akes a less favorable

’
.
, ,

s t at e m en t of his yout hful charact er is t ics on t h e aut hor ,

i t y as he says of M r Win c h est er hi m self

, ,
I t w as n at
. .

ural t hat a man l ike h im S hould speak of him self w it h

g reat m odest y ; bu t as his bro t hers an d sis t er un it e i n
ascribin g t o h im an un usual s w ee t n ess of m in d w e have ,

chosen t o follo w t he m S O far as c an be learn ed fro m .

con t em poraries t heir st at em en t s m ay be relied on as su b

,

s t an t i all y correct Gen t le n ess forbearan ce u n der t h e

.
,

pressure of in jur y an d a t en der re g ard for t h e feelin g s

,

of ot hers w ere pro min en t feat ures i n his juve n ile ch ar

,

act er The early act ivit y of his m in d an d t h e re ad i n ess

.
,

w it h w hich it e mbraced S im ult an eously a variet y of su b

j e ct s is pert in en t ly illust rat ed in t h e follo w in g an e c

,

do t e I t w as received i n subst an ce from reput able ao

.

t h or it y .

“
His fat her w as exe m plary in t h e O bservan ce of t h e
S abbat h He co n sidered i t holy t i me an d w isely t aught
.
,

his children t o re g ard it revere n t ially He w a s co n s t an t .

i n his at t e n dan ce upo n public w ors h ip a n d alw ays i m ,

pressed upo n his youn g fam ily t h e du t y of orde r an d

at t e n t io n in t h e house of God To secure t his e n d he .

so m et im es require d t he m t o re m e m ber t h e t ext a n d repeat

it t o h i m on t heir re t urn fro m m ee t in g E lhan an said .
,
’

his fat her t o h i m on e pleasan t S abbat h morn in g you ,

‘

w ill att e n d m eet in g t o day ; I w ish y ou t o keep your eyes

-

upo n t h e m in ist er an d i n form m e w he n you co m e ho m e

, ,

fro m w hat part O f t h e S cript ure he sel e ct ed h i s t ext .

‘
Yes fat her w as t h e reply At t h e hour of service t h e
, ,
’
.

fam ily s e t ou t for t h e place of w orship The m ee t in g .

house like m an y of t hat day w a s in an un fi n ished st at e ;

, ,
 ELHANAN WI NCHES TER . 2 15

the post s beam s braces an d raft ers bei n g exposed t o

, , ,

view The O l d g en t le m an as usual t ook h i s seat be lo w

.
, ,

bu t E lh an a n escapi n g for a m o m e n t h i s obse rvat io n

, ,

slipp e d in t o t h e g al lery an d placed h i m self i n a fro n t

,

seat I t w a s n ow t oo lat e t o call hi m do w n w it hout dis

.

t u r bi n g t h e con g re g at ion a n d as h e sat i n full vie w of

,

hi s fat her he co n clude d t o allo w h i m t o re m ai n u n dis

,

t u rbe d T h e m eet i n g w a s ope n ed i n t h e cu s t omary form

.
,

a n d t h e cler g y m a n soo n rose an d co mm e n ced h i s ser m o n .

Th e fat h er n ow raised his eyes t o h i s s on ho p i n g t o fin d ,

h im re g ardi ng t h e m orn i n g i n ju n ct io n To hi s sorro w .

an d vexa t io n ho w ever E lhan an app eared e n t irely t o

, ,

have forg o t t en it I n s t ead of at t en di n g t o t h e discourse

.
,

his min d seem ed t o be busily occup ied w it h O bj e c t s in

dist an t part s of t h e house The old g en t lem an w a s ex
.

ce e din g l y un easy a n d r e sor t ed t o various m e t hods t o

,

arre st his a t t e n t io n w it hout at t r act in g t h e n ot ice of t he

ass e mbly — bu t i n vain A s t h e serm o n pro g re sse d E1
, .

h an an beca me appare n t ly m ore e n g rosse d in t h e objec t s

w hich first en g a g ed his g aze O ccasio n ally he w as Ob .

ser ve d t o c as t a look upon t h e S peaker as t hou gh t h e ,

re collect ion of h i s fat her s ch arg e fl ashed u p o n h i s m i n d ;

’

bu t soon h is e yes a g a in w an dere d ov e r e ve ry p ar t of t h e

h ouse an d h e ap pear ed i n se n sible t o t h e p r e s e n ce of an y
,
.

His fat her w as vexed beyo n d m easure an d re solved t o ,

cat e ch iz e hi m severely for h i s disobedi e n ce T h e m ee t .

in g at le n gt h closed a n d t h e audie n ce disp e rs e d

,
A s soo n .

as t h e fa m ily reac hed ho m e t h e old g e n t l e m an com ,

me n ce d rat h er st ern ly
‘
E lhan an did I n ot bid you t his m orn i n g t o kee p
,

your eyes upon t h e m in ist er an d bri n g m e t h e t ext at ,

n oo n
‘
Ye s fat her ,
.
’

Wh y t h e n have you disobeye d me

, ,

I have n ot disobeyed you fat her replied E lhan an , ,

’
,

lookin g up w i t h a st ro n g expressio n of i n n ocen ce .

2 16 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A

My hast ily rejoin ed his fat her do n ot st rive

son ,
’
,
‘

t o co n ce al y our fault by falsehood

’
.

Fat her I am n ot g uilt y of falsehood

,
.
’

M y child do n ot persist i n t his assert io n

,
I oh .

serve d you n arrow ly durin g t h e w hole of divin e service ,

an d your eyes w ere an y w here b u t upon t h e m i n is t er .

You w ill n ot den y t his

N O fat her I w ill n ot de n y t hat I som et i m es looked
, ,

upo n ot he r object s ; bu t in deed I have n ot been dis

obedie n t as you t hi n k I re m ember t h e t ext
,
. .
’

In dee d " repeat it t he n This w a s i mm ediat ely .

’

do n e cit in g chapt er a n d verse

,
.

Well re sum ed t h e fat h e r I am g l ad t hat you have

‘
,
’
,

been m ore at t e n t ive t han I a t first sup posed I t w ould .

have g rieve d m e m uch h a d you con vict ed yourself of n u

t rut h B u t m y son I m ust caut io n you t o refrai n i n fut ure
.
, ,

from g az in g a roun d t h e house of God S uch co n duct in di .

cat e s a w an t of just revere n ce for your H e a v e n l y Fa t h e r ’ .

I am heart ily sorry fat her t hat my con d u ct has

‘
, ,

bee n ce n surable I w ould n ot w il lin g ly g ive you pain

.
,

an d I w ill t ry t o b e have m ore beco m i n g i n t h e house of

God B u t fat her he co n t i n ued bri g ht en in g I n ot onl y

.
, ,
’
, ,

rem e mber t h e t ext bu t I can t ell you w hat t h e min ist e r

,

said .
’

He t he n e n u m erat ed t h e heads of t h e discourse an d ,

repeat ed lar g e port io n s n early i n t h e w ords of t h e

S peaker T h e st er n feat ures of t h e fat her re laxed in t o a
.

look of co mplacen cy as he re m arked Your m e mory , ,

E lhan an is very g ood a n d I am pleased t o O bserve t hat

, ,

you have exercised it S O profit a bly t his m orn in g .

’

An d n ow fat her
‘
co n t in ued E lhan an g at herin g
, ,
’
,

courag e from his alt ered t o n e if you w ill n ot be o ffen ded , ,

I w ill t ell y ou t h e n um ber of people prese n t t h is m orn

in g an d t h e n u m ber of beam s post s braces raft ers an d
, , , , ,

pan es of g lass t here w ere i n t h e m eet in g house I coun t ed -

.

t hem all a n d re m em bere d t h e t ext t oo

’
.
,
 ELHANAN WI NC HES T ER . 217

This w as ut t ered in a t on e of earn est S im plicit y t hat

t ot al ly disarmed t h e old g e n t le m an of his an g er T he .

a ssociat io n s t oo w er e suc h as re n d ered i t difficult t o r e

, ,

press a smile ; bu t assum in g a look of g ravit y he , ,

replie d :
Well E lh an an I a m w illin g t o believe you m e an t
‘
, ,

n o w ro n g For t h is t i m e I w ill overlook w h at pe r h aps

.
, ,

un der ot her circu m st an ces I sh ould est ee m a n un p ardo n ,

able oflze n ce B u t be w arn ed m y s on hereaft er t o g ive

'

.
, ,

your un divi ded at t e n t io n t o t h e reli g ious e xercise s w hile

i n t h e place of p ublic w ors h ip 1
.
’

Thi s w o n derful po w er of con cen t rat io n of w ill an d ,

t his abil i t y t o w ork w i t hou t con fusio n on diff eren t lin es

of men t al ac t ivi t y w as t h e secret of h i s success as a
,

scholar un der t h e d i sadvan t ages of his early life The .

lat e Rev Le m ue l Willis w h o obt ain ed h i s in format ion

.
,

from h is fat her an in t im at e frien d of M r Win ches t er s

, .
’

relat es t h e fo ll o w in g w hich occurred som e years aft er ,

M r Win ches t er b eca m e a Un iversal is t preacher

.

Th oug h self e ducat ed his k n o w led g e Of lan g uag es

-
,

a n d h is t ory w as g reat By an i n t ervie w h e h a d w it h t h e

.

prin cipal of t h e t h e n n e w a n d fl ourishin g acade my i n

Chest e rfi e ld N H M r Lo g an a m an of colle g iat e e duca
,
. .
, .
,

t ion a n d a n acco m plished scholar he h a d h i s k n o w le d g e of ,

t h e dead la n g ua g es so called fully c alled ou t a n d t es t ed

, ,
.

“
Wh ile i n t hat villa g e aft e r havi n g preac h e d t here t o ,

t hat vast asse m blag e M r L o gan w h o had h eard of t h e , .

,

fame of t h e dist i n g uished preac h er if he had n ot list en ed ,

t o h i s S piri t st irri n g eloque n c e desired t o be i n t roduc e d t o

-
,

h im .This w ish w as soo n g rat ified an d t hey m e t at t h e ,

'

house of on e of M r Win chest er s frie n ds The co n ver .

’
.

1 B iogr aph y of Re v E l h an an
. Win che ste r ,
by E dw in M a rt in S t on e ,
pp 13 18
.
-
.
218 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

sat ion soo n t urn ed upon t h e class ics, a n d especially t h e , ,

ori g in al lan g uag e of t h e N e w Test a me n t M r L o gan . .

t aki n g t h e lead t hey firs t S poke of t h e L at in poe t s an d

,

his t orian s ; a n d t h e preacher w a s f o u n d t o be quit e c on

versau t w it h t hem The form er t hen t urn ed t o t h e
.

Greek t hin ki n g perhaps t hat a man w h o had n ot e n joye d

, , ,

t h e adv an t a g es of a colle g iat e co u rse of st udy could h ave

bu t litt le m ore t han a sm at t erin g of t hat lan g uag e H ow .

ever in t his re g ard t oo he w a s m ist ake n The lat t er

, , , .

S ho w ed t hat his kn o w le dg e of Grecian lit erat ure w as

very con siderable an d part icularly i n relat io n t o t he

,

S ept uag i n t an d t h e orig in al Greek of t h e N e w Tes t a

,

m en t .B u t at le n g t h M r Win ches t er t houg ht i t t o be .

his t urn t o lea d i n t h e co n versat io n a n d he i n t roduced ,

t h e subjec t of t h e Hebre w lan g uag e a n d w ould have e x ,

chan g ed t houg ht w it h M r L o g a n i n relat io n t o t h e orig .

i n al S cript ures of t h e Ol d Test a me n t bu t he w as t old at ,

on ce by t h e precept or t hat he had n ever learn ed t hat

l an g uag e a n d kn e w n ot hin g about it
,
.

“
Those w h o h ave read Wi n chest er s Dialo g ues on t h e ’

U n iversal Rest orat io n , an d his L ect ures on t h e Pr oph

’ ‘

ecies recollect t hat he oft en refers t o t h e orig in al S cript

,
’

ures of t h e Bible an d t his he did n ot w it hout a kn o w ledg e

,
” 1
of bo t h t h e Hebre w an d Greek lan g uag es .

When n in et een years of age M r Win chest er un it ed , .

w it h a Bapt i st church on t h e Open commu n io n plan ,

u n der t h e m in i st ry o f El der Eb e n ezer Lyo n at Ca n t er ,

b ury Ct Before t h e n ext spri n g h e had removed t o

,
.

Reho b o t h M as s w here he spen t a year as past or of a

, ,

Bap t ist church over w hi ch he w a s ordain ed by Elder

,

Ly on
v
A t firs t h i s m in i s t ry w a s em in en t l y successful
.
,

bu t b efore t h e year c l osed he had adop t ed th e p l an o f

c l ose commun i o n
1 T he U n iv e rsal ist , D e c 15 , 1 86 6 . .
 E LII ANAN WI NC HEST ER . 219

t o w hich his church so far pract ically asse n t e d as t o ‘

“

e xclude h i m for breach of cove n an t Durin g t h e co mmo .

t ion w hich t h is aff air produce d at Rehobot h he t ook a ,

journ ey in t o N e w Ha mpshire an d Ve rm o n t an d on r e ,

t urn in g st opped at Graft o n M a s s

,
w h ere h e preach ed , ,

t o t h e ast o n is h m e n t of t hose t h at att e n d e d Wh en .

arrived at Reh obot h fin din g t h e difficult ies h a d n ot sub

,

s i ded h e ca l led a c oun cil t o m ediat e b e t w e e n h i m a n d his

,

ch urch T h e result w a s t h e coun cil declare d he h a d l e ft

.

an error t o e m brace t h e t rut h ; a n d t h e peo p le declare d

t h e co n t rary A ccordin g ly M r Win ches t e r t h e n joi n e d

.
,
.

t h e Bapt ist ch u rch i n Belli n g ha m M as s of w hich E lder , ,

N oah Al de n w as m i n is t e r A bout t his t im e he re n ou n ced

.

h i s Arm i n ian se n t i m e n t s avo w ed t h e sys t e m of t h e cele

,

br at e d Bapt ist Dr Gill a n d soo n beca m e co n sidered

,
.
,

on e of t h e m ost t horou g h Calvi n is t preac h e rs i n t h e

c oun t ry .

He con t in ued preach in g in vari ous part s of M assa

ch u se tt s t ill t h e au t u m n of 1 7 7 4 w he n he t ook a j our ,

n e y t o S out h Caroli n a a n d b ecame m in i s t er of t h e

,

Bapt ist church at Wel sh N eck w here he remain ed ,

several years mak in g j ourn eys mean w hile t o N e w

, , ,

En glan d an d t o V ir g in ia The st eps by w hich he w a s

.

led t o th e b el ief Of Un iversali sm are b est describ ed b y ,

h imself
“
I t h i n k it w a s i n the
beg in n in g of t h e year 1 7 7 8 ,

be in g i n S out h Carolin a upon t h e River Pe e D e e w he re

, ,

I w as at t hat t im e m in ist er t hat I called t o see a frie n d , ,

w h o firs t p u t i n t o m
y han ds t h at valuabl e book w rit t e n
by Paul S ie gv ol k an d w hi ch is calle d The E verlast in g
,

Gospel of w h ich I have lat e ly published a n e w edit io n 1

,
’
.

I w as desired t o t ell w hat i t m ean t t o hold fort h, as my

1 Pu blish e d at L on don , 1 7 9 2 .
2 20 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

frien d could n ot t ell by an y m ean s w hat t o m ake of it “

on accou n t of t h e S i n g ularit y a n d s t ran g e n ess of t h e

sen t i men t s t h ere i n con t ain ed alt h oug h t h e lan guag e is

,

very plain a n d clear a n d by n o m ean s dark myst ical or

, , ,

O bscure .

I O pen ed t h e book as I w a s desired a n d dippin g in t o ,

i t here a n d t here for h alf a n hour perhap s w as ve ry soon

, ,

able t o t ell w hat t h e aut hor aim e d at n amely t hat t h ere , ,

w o u l d be a fi n al e n d of S i n an d m isery an d t hat all ,

fallen creat ure s w ould be rest ored by J e sus Christ t o a

s t at e of holin ess an d happin ess aft er such as w ere re
,

hellion s had suffered i n proport io n t o t heir crim es I .

had n ever seen an y t hin g O f t h e sort before i n all m y life ;

a n d I see m e d s t ruck w i t h several ideas t h at I g lan ced

O ver ,
such as t h e in co n sist e n cy an d i mpossibil it y of
bot h g ood an d evil alw ays exist in g in t h e un iverse an d
especi ally his observat io n s upo n t h e w ord e t e r n a l or e ve r
l a s ti n g S how in g t hat i t w a s used for w hat n ever h ad a
,

be g in n in g an d w ould n ever have a n e n d as t h e bein g ,

an d perfect io n s of God ; an d t hat i t w as also applied t o

t hin g s w hich had a be g i n n i n g bu t should n ever have an

en d ,
as t h e bein g an d happin ess of t h e rig ht eous ; an d
t hat it w as also freque n t ly used t o express t h in g s t i m es , ,

a n d seaso n s w hich had bo t h be g i n ni n g an d e n d w hich he

, ,

t herefore call e d p e r i odi ca l e t e r n i t i e s an d g ave a g reat m an y

,

i n st an ces of t his sort w h ich could n ot be de n ie d an d he

co n t e n ded t hat t h e e ve r l a sti n g p u n is h m e n t t hreat e n ed t o
t h e w icked did n ot belo n g t o t h e first n or t o t h e seco nd
, ,

bu t t o t h e t h ird class of t hese durat io n s .

B u t as I w as o n ly desired t o t ell w hat t h e aut hor

m ean t w he n I had sat isfied my frie n d i n t hat respect I
, ,

lai d t h e book do w n an d I believe w e bot h co n clud ed it t o

,

be a pleas an t in g en ious hypo t hesis bu t had n o se r ious

, ,

t hou g h t s of i t s bei n g t rue ; an d for my part I de t er

, ,

m in ed n ot t o t rouble my self about i t or t o t hi n k an y ,

m ore of t h e mat t er An d as t h e book h a d bee n se n t a

.
 ELHANAN WI NCHESTER . 22 1

c onsiderable dist an ce for my frien d t o read I su pp ose i t ,

w as s oo n aft er sen t back ; for I sa w it n o m ore n or ,

h e ard an y t hin g furt her about i t The follo w in g su mm e r

.

I w e n t a j ourn ey in t o V irg in ia an d happen i n g t o m e n

,

t ion t h e subj e c t t o a m in ist er t here he t old m e t hat a f e w

,

days before i t had bee n a subject of con t roversy in t h e

public pap ers bet w een a clerg yma n w h o defen d e d an d a , ,

ge n t le m an of t h e l a w w h o de n ied t h e proper e t e r n it y of
, ,

pun ish m e n t ; a n d he t old m e t hat t his gen t l e m an w h o

de n i e d it had advan c e d t h at t h e t ran slat ors of t h e Bible
h ad re n dere d t h e very sam e Greek w ord by v e ry differ
e n t E n g lish w or d s so m e t i m es re n deri n g i t
, f or e v e r a n d ,

somet i mes w or l d ; an d t hat if t h ey h a d u n iform ly r e n

de red it by on e E n g lish w ord it w ould h ave be e n e vide n t
,

t o all re ade rs t hat n o arg u me n t for e n dl e ss m i s e r y cou ld

h ave be e n dra w n t herefro m I w as t old also w hile I w a s
.

i n Virg in i a t hat a cl e rgy m an of t h e E piscopal Church

h ad a f e w years before g iv e n ou t t h at he had som e
, ,

w o n derful t h in g t o m ake k n o w n t o his hearers w hich he ,

w ould preach upo n so m e S un day b u t he di d n ot m e n t io n

,

wh en . This raised t h e public curiosit y an d g reat n u m ,

be rs at t en ded his place of w orship in hopes of heari n g

w hat t h is w o n derful t hin g m i g h t be ; bu t for a co n sider
abl e t im e t h e m at t er w as un discovere d B u t a t last he .

gave ou t t hat on t h e n ex t S u n day he w ould ope n t h is

gr eat secre t .Vast n u mbers of peo ple fl ocke d t o h ear
w hat it c ould be . Wh e n he c am e t o declare w h at it w as ,

be hold it w a s a w o n derful piece of n e w s i n deed such as

, , ,

had n e ve r bee n h eard before in an y pulp it i n Virg in ia .

I t w as n ot hin g short of t h e doct ri n e of t h e R e s t or a t i on I

I t hin k t o t h e best of m y rem e m bra n ce t h e y t old m e
, ,

t hat he O pe n ed an d e n larged upo n it for t w o S u n days ,

an d n e ver preached a n y more bei n g i mm ediat ely aft er

,

seize d w it h sickn ess w hich t erm i n at e d i n his deat h .

An d t hi s w as g e n erally est ee med as a jud g m e n t t hat fe ll

u po n h i m for dari n t o preach such a w icked false an d
g , ,
2 22 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

dan g erous O pin ion ; an d t hat God cu t him off fro m t h e

lan d of t h e livin g t o t est ify his displeasure ag ai n st hi m ,

an d t o t erri f y o t hers fro m dari n g t o follo w his exa m ple ,

or believe his se n t i m en t s B u t perhaps t his m i g h t h ave .

b e e n so me w ort hy pious learn ed m an w h o had lo n g

, , ,

co n cealed t h is g ran d t rut h i n his heart an d had derived ,

m uc h sat isfact io n t herefro m an d lon ged t o proclaim i t t o ,

o t h ers f or t h eir g ood ; a n d a t last n ot w it hst an din g t h e , ,

opposit ion t hat he mi g ht expect resolved t o do S O an d , ,

accordi n gly w a s e n abled just before his t i m e cam e t o ,

depart ou t of t his w orld t o bear a fait hful t est i m o n y ,

t o t h is m ost g ran d an d im port an t of all God s p u rposes

’
.

An d havin g perfor m e d his dut y his M ast er called h im ,

t o receive his re w a rd an d g ave h i m t h e plau di t of Well

,

do n e t hou g ood an d fait hful servan t e n t er t hou i n t o t h e

, ,

joy of t h y L o rd 1 .
’

“
S o m e t ime aft er I re t ur n ed t o S ou t h Carolin a a phy ,

s i c i a n w it h w ho m I h ad bee n acquain t ed i n Virg in ia

cam e t o live i n t h e parish w here I w a s m in ist er ; an d
am o n g his books I foun d The E verlast i n g Gospel by ‘
,
’

Paul S i e g v ol k This w as t h e seco n d copy t hat fell i n

.

m y w ay a n d I read a li tt le m ore t herei n ; bu t as y e t

,

h a d n ot t h e least t hou g ht t hat ever I should e m brace i t s

sen t i m e n t s ; y e t so me of his arg ume n t s appeared very
con clusive an d I could n ot w holly S h ake t h e m O ff bu t I
,
‘

co n cl u ded t o l e t t he m alon e an d n ot i n vest i g at e t h e mat ,

t e r ; a n d t herefore I n ever g ave t h e book eve n so m uch

as on e cursory readin g t ill w i t h g reat diffi cult y I p r o ,

cured on e i n t h e cit y of Philadelphia m ore t han t w o ,

years aft er w ards .

I n t h e year 1 7 7 9 I foun d m yself much st irred up t o

exhort my fellow creat ures t o repen t believe a n d obey
-
, ,

t h e gospel a n d be g an t o adop t a m ore O pe n an d g e n

“

1 T he r e f e r e n ce he re is dou btl e ss t o Re v Robe rt . Y an ce y , me n t ion e d

in t h e fi rst c ha pt e r .
 E LHANAN WI NCHES T ER . 2 23

eral met hod of preachin g t han I had used for so me

years before — hav i n g bee n deeme d on e of t h e most
,

con sist en t Cal vin ist s upo n t h e con t in en t , much upon t h e

plan of D r Gill, w ho m I est e e med al most as an oracle
. .

B u t n ow my heart bein g O p e n ed an d vie w i n g t h e w ort h

,

of souls I felt g reat compassio n t o w ards t hem an d in

, ,

v i t e d t he m w it h al l my m i g h t t o fl
y for mercy t o t h e
arm s of C h rist w h o died f or t he m a n d w h o w a s w illin g
, ,

t o save t he m I w as g radually led in t o t h is w ay of

.

preachi n g w it hout con siderin g an yt h in g about it s con

,

sist e n cy w it h st rict Calvin is m ; bu t fi n din g m yself ever

happy a n d co mfort able in my ow n m in d an d t hat t h is ,

m e t hod of preachin g w a s hig hly useful I con t in ued t o g o ,

on i n t h e sam e course .

“
About t his t im e I be g un t o fin d un co mm o n desires
for t h e co n versio n a n d salvat io n of t h e poor n e groes ,

w h o w ere very n u m erous i n t h at part O f t h e coun t ry ,

bu t w ho m n o n e of my predecessors t h at I could le arn , ,

h a d eve r t aken pai n s t o i n st ruct i n t h e prin cipl e s of

Christ ian it y n eit h er had a n y S in gle S lave ei t h e r man or ,

w o man , be e n bapt ized u n t il t hat su mm e r i n t h e w hole

parish (w h ich w as very larg e) t hat I ever heard of , .

“ The prejudices w hich t h e slaves h a d a ain st Chris t i

g
an i t y on accou n t of t h e severi t ies prac t ised u p o n t he m

by professin g Christ ia n s — bot h mi n ist ers an d p eople

, ,

m i g ht be on e prin cipal reaso n w h y t h ey could n ot be

b r ou g h t t o att e n d t o reli g ious i n st ruct ion B u t t hey h ad .

n o prej u dice a g a i n s t m e on t his score as I n ever h a d ,

an yt hin g to do w it h slavery bu t on t h e co n t rary con

, ,

d e m n e d it ; an d t his bein g pret t y g e n erally k n o w n oper

, ,

at ed so upo n t h e m i n ds of t h ose poor c re at ures t h at t hey

S ho w ed a disposi t io n t o att e n d my m in is t ry m o re t han

t hey h a d ever sho w n t o an y ot her B u t s t ill I n ever h ad

.

ad dressed t he m i n part i cular an d i n deed h ad h ardly an y

,

h opes of doi n g t he m g ood B u t on e eve n in g see i n g a

.
,

n u m ber of t he m at t h e door of t h e house w here I w as

2 24 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

preachin g I fou n d myself co n st rai n ed as it w ere t o g o

, , ,

t o t h e door a n d t ell t h e m t hat Jesus Chris t loved t he m ,

a n d died for t he m as w ell as for us w h i t e peopl e an d ,

t hat t h ey m i g h t co m e a n d believe i n hi m an d w elco m e .

A n d I g ave t h e m as w arm a n d p ressi n g a n i n vi t at io n as

I co u ld t o c o m ply w it h t h e g lorious g ospel This S h ort .

discour se add ressed i m m e diat ely t o t h e m t ook g reat e r ,

effect t h an can be w ell i m a g in ed There w ere about .

t hirt y f r o m on e plan t at io n i n t h e n ei g hbo r hood pre se n t

(beside s o t h ers ) t hese re t ur n ed h o me a n d did n ot ev e n ,

g iv e Slee p t o t heir eyes as t hey aft erw ards i n for m ed m e

, ,

u n t il t h ey had se t t led every quarrel am o n g t h e m selve s ,

an d accor din g t o t h e ir fo r m of m ar ria g e had m arried ,

every m a n t o t h e w o m an w it h w ho m h e lived ; had re

st ored w hat ever on e h a d u n just ly t ake n fro m an o t he r ,

a n d de t er m i n ed fro m t hat t i m e t o seek t h e L ord d i li

g e n t ly . Fro m t ha t ve ry eve n in g t he y be g an con st an t ly

t o pray t o t h e L ord an d so co n t i n ued a n d he w a s fou n d
, ,

of t h e m I co n t i n ued t o in st ru ct t he m a n d w it hi n t hree
.
,

m o n t hs fro m t h e fi r s t of Jun e I bap t ized m ore t han

,

t hir t y blacks belo n g i n g t o t h a t plan t a t io n beside s m an y ,

ot hers as i n t h e w hole ma de u p on e hun dred of w ho m

, ,

S ix t y t hre e w ere m e n
-
t h irt y seve n w ere w o m e n all of
,
-
,

w h o m w e re bor n i n A frica or i mm ediat ely d e sce n ded

,

fro m such as w ere n at ive s of t hat un happy coun t r y .

M y preachi n g w a s n ot o n ly useful t o t h e poor slaves ,

bu t also t o g r eat n u mbe r s of t h e w hit e people of w ho m ,

I bapt ized upo n profession of repen t an ce a n d fait h i n

,

Chris t abo u t on e hu n dre d a n d t hirt y n in e perso n s w i t hi n

,
-

t h e sa m e S pace This w as a summ e r of g reat success

.
,

an d I S hall re m e m b e r t hat happy seaso n w i t h pleasure

w hile I live This su mm e r I received so m e fart her

.

daw n in g s of t h e day of t h e g e n eral res t orat io n i n my

m i n d for upo n con side ri n g several S crip t ures such as
, ,

t hese : He S hall see of t h e t ravail of his soul an d shall be ,

sat isfied ; by his kn o w led g e shall m y ri ght eous s e rvan t

 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 225

jus t ify ma y ; for he shall be ar t h e ir i n iqui t ies Isa li ii

n ,
’
. .

11 . Aft er t his I behe ld a n d lo a g reat mult it ude w hich, , ,

n o m an could n u mber of al l n at ion s an d kin dre ds a n d

, , ,

t o n g ues st ood before t h e t hron e an d before t h e L a m b

, , ,

clot hed w it h w hit e ro bes an d pal m s in t heir han ds Re v , ,

’
.

vii 9 I beca me fully persuaded t hat t h e n u mber of t h e

. .

f i n ally sav e d w ould equal if n ot exceed t h e n u mber of , ,

t h e lost An d i w as so forci bly i m pressed w it h t his n e w

.

a n d v e ry joyful discovery t hat I n ot on l

y co n versed i n
,

t hat s t rai n privat ely bu t boldly pre ache d it i n t h e con

,

g re gat i on w hich g e n erally co n sis t e d of n early a t h ousan d

,

person s upon S un days S o m e of t h e people t o w ho m I .

had m e n t ion ed som e t hin g respect in g t h e se n t i me n t

t h ou g ht t hat I w as g oi n g at o n ce t o d e cl are myself in
favor of t h e Gen e r a l Re s t or a t i on bu t t h at w as as y e t far
fro m bei n g t h e case t hou g h so m e of t h e arg um en t s
,

w hich I h a d g lan ced upon i n t hat book The E verlast i n g ,

‘

Gospel w ould freque n t ly p rese n t t he mselves t o my

,
’

m i n d i n such a forcible m a n n er t hat I coul d scarcely

.

w i t hst an d t heir evide n ce .

“
I n t h e m on t h of S ept e m ber I left S out h Carolin a on
a vi sit t o my fr i e n ds i n N e w E n g lan d , i n t e n di n g h ow ,

ever t o re t u rn t o my people a ain ; bu t t o preven t t heir

,
g

bein g left dest it ut e I procured t h e Rev M r Bot sford

, . .

t o co m e an d supply t he m upo n t his co n dit io n t h at w h e n

, ,

ever I shoul d ret urn he s h ould resi g n t h e con g re g at io n

t o m e ag ai n , if I required i t B u t he has re m ai n e d t h e.

con st an t pas tor e ver s in ce I t hen t ravelled slo w ly .

t hrou g h t h e co n t i n en t preachi n g t o t h e people an d c on

,

versin g w it h my fri e n ds t o w hom some t imes in pr ivat e ,

I proposed some of t h e arg um en t s i n favor of t h e Ge n e r a l

Res tor a ti on w hich I h ad re ad i n The E verlast in g Gospel
’
,

on purpose t o see w hat an s w ers t hey could g ive ; a n d t his

I did e spec i ally t o able m in ist ers bu t t o my surprise , , ,

,

oft en foun d t hem quit e at a st an d n ot kn ow in g w hat t o ,

say A n d so me w ere a l most overpo w ered w i t h eve n t h e

.

VO L . I . 15
226 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

w eak man n er in w hich I w a s capable of holdi n g fort h t h e

ar g um e n t s i n favor of t h e Res t orat io n An d oft e n t i m es .

t h e an s w ers t hat so m e of t h e g reat es t me n g ave w ere suc h

as t e n ded t o i n crease my doubt s respect in g e n d le s s m is e r y ,

rat h e r t han t o re m ove t he m I re me m ber o n ce t hat I

.
,

as ked t h e Rev M r M an n in g preside n t of Rh ode Islan d

. .
,

Colle g e an d w h o w a s at t ha t t i m e on e of my dearest
,

frien ds w h at w as t h e st ro n g est arg ume n t t h at he coul d

,

use in favor of t h e doct ri n e of e n dl es s mis e ry He an .

s w e r e d t hat i t w a s t h e n at ure of G od t o lay t h e g reat es t

,

possible rest rain t upon s in a n d t h erefore h e had t hr eat

,

e n ed it w it h en dl ess p u n is h m en t as t h e hi g hest rest rain t

,

he could possibly lay upon i t This arg um e n t is a n .

s w e re d i n t h e t h i rd dialo g ue Thus af t er much seeki n g

.
, ,

I cou ld fin d n o sat isfact ion i n t h e m at t er ; bu t st ill my

doubt s i n crease d N ot w i t hst an din g I w it hst ood t h e doc
.

t rin e of t h e Re st or a t ion w it h al l m y m i g ht a n d so m et i m es ,

pre ache d publicly ag ain st it w it h all t h e force I could

m us t e r y e t t h ere w a s so m et hin g i n i t s favor t h at
,

g ai n ed g radually u po n m y m i n d a n d so m e t i m es brou g ht
,

m e t o be w illin g t o em brace i t I plai n ly s aw t hat i t

.

w ould reco n cile al m os t if n ot quit e all difficul t ies of

, ,

o t her syst em s a n d I t houg ht if I should ever receive i t ,

I s h ould be able t o preach m uch easier a n d m ore freely

t ha n e v e r a n d w it h far g reat er sat isfac t ion ; w hich by
, ,

ex perien ce I have sin ce foun d t o be t rue The i de as

, .

w e r e so m e t i m es so t ran sport in g t o m e ev e n w h ile I p r o ,

fessed t o op pose t h e sen t i m en t t hat I have bee n con ,

st rain ed t o s e t t he m fort h i n t h e m ost subli m e m an n er

t hat I w a s able ; an d so m e t i m es so as act ually t o b r i n g
t hose w h o heard m e co n verse on t h e subject t o believe
an d rejoice in t h e Un i v er s a l R es t or a t i on w hile I t hou g h t ,

m yself a n opposer of i t a n d o n ly proposed t h e ar g um e n t s

,

i n i t s favo r t o see w hat e ff ec t t h ey w ould have on such

w h o n ever h eard t he m before An d I w as oft e n carried
.

aw ay even w hile I i n t e n ded o n ly t o l e t m y frie n ds he ar

,
 ELHAN AN WI NCHEST ER . 227

w hat m i g ht be said I re m e m ber o n ce w hile I w as at

.
,

m y fat her s t abl e i n t h e year 1 7 80 t hat I me n t io n e d t h e

’
, ,

doct r in e of t h e Res t or a ti on an d fin di n g t hat n o n e of t h e

,

co m p an y h a d even so m uch as h ea rd of such a sche me I ,

be g an t o hold it fort h p roduce d m an y argum e n t s i n i ts

,

favor brou ght up m an y object io n s an sw ered t h e m i n

, ,

such a m an n e r as as t on ished all prese n t ; an d I w as

a mazed at my self I spoke w it h so much ease an d r e adi
,

n ess as I hardly ever e xperie n ced before on an

y occasio n .

N ay I w a s so m uch an i m at ed w i t h t h e subjec t t h a t I
, ,

sai d t hat I did n ot doub t bu t t hat i n sixt y years t i me ’

,

t hat very doct ri n e w ould u n iversally be preac h ed a n d

g e n erally e m braced i n t hat very cou n t ry a n d w oul d c e r ,

t a i n l y prevail over all oppo s i t io n .

“
This discourse m ade a g reat er i mpression up o n t h e
m in ds of t hose w h o heard i t a n d u p o n m y ow n also t h an
, ,

I i n t e n ded ; an d t houg h I aft er w ards use d t h e be st arg u

m e n t s I co u ld i n favor of t h e co m m o n opin io n y e t I ,

fou n d t he m i n sufficie n t w h olly t o re move t h e e ffect s of

w hat I had before said .

“
A ft er sp e n di n g about t w elve m o n t hs i n t h e m os t de
li g ht fu l m an n er co n st an t ly journ eyin g a n d preachin g
,

w i t h g reat success t o vas t m ult i t udes of peopl e i n my

n at i ve cou n t ry ,
I s e t off w it h t h e i n t e n t io n t o re t ur n
t o w ards S o u t h Caroli n a O n t h e w a y I t arried som e t i me
.

’
a t t h e Rev M r S a m uel Waldo s i n Paw li n g s Pre ci n ct
’
. .
, ,

S t at e of N e w York w h ose ki n d an d frie n dly be h avior

,

t o w ards m e I re m e m ber w it h pleasure an d m e n t io n w i t h

g ra t i t u d e.I h a d a g rea t d e al of very a g r e eable co n ve r

sa t io n w it h h im upo n t h e m at t er a n d h e did n ot se e m t o ,

O ppose t h e ideas h ardly a t all b u t o n ly g e n t ly cau t io n e d

,

m e a g ai n s t r e ceivi n g an y t hi n g e rro n eo u s He is a man .

of most e xc e lle n t spiri t a n d his family w as upo n t h e

, ,

w hol e t h e m os t de li g h t fu l a g reeabl e a n d happy fa mily

, , ,

t hat I ev e r k n e w Wh ile I w a s at his house on e of his

.

child r en t h en a bout t w e n t y years of a g e see m ed fully

, ,
228 UNI V ERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

co n vi n ced of t h e t rut h of t h e doc t rin e by list en in g t o our

co n versat io n an d w as filled w i t h g reat joy at t h e id e a
,
.

S everal reli gi ous m e n w h o w ere on a jour n ey lod g ed at

, ,

t h e house w hile I w as t here g ot a hi n t of t h e m at t er

, ,

an d w ished t o hear all t hat I could say i n defe n ce of it .

I accordi n gly g ave t he m so me of t h e prin cipal arg um en t s

i n i t s favo r a n d o bviat ed so m e of t h e m ost capi t al obj e c
,

t i on s t h at could b e brou g ht ag ai n st it ; a n d I af t er w ards

overh eard t he m w is h i n g t hat t hey had n ot bee n so
curious as t o have i n quired so f a r in t o t h e subj e ct for ,

t h ey could n ot resist t h e ar g u me n t s al t hou g h t hey see m e d

,

resolved t o t reat t h e se n t i m e n t s as a n error .

“
I n t his s t at e of m i n d half a co n ver t t o t h e doct rin e
,

of t h e Re s tor a t i on I arrived in t h e cit y of Philadelphia

, ,

on t h e 7 t h of O ct ober 1 7 80 ,
I i n t e n ded t o have left t h e
.

c i t y i n a f e w days an d t o have g o n e on t ow ards S out h

,

Caroli n a bu t t h e Bapt ist church bei n g dest it ut e of a

,

m i n is t e r t hey i n vit ed me t o st op an d preach w it h t he m

, ,

t o w hich I w a s at l e n g t h persuaded a n d for so m e t i m e I

,

w as m uch follo w ed a n d t here w ere g reat addit io n s t o t h e

,

church The con g re g at io n s i n c r ease d i n such a m an n e r

.
,

especially on S un day eve n i n g s t hat our place of w orship

, ,

t hou g h larg e w oul d by n o m ean s co n t ai n t h e m At le n g t h

, .

leave w a s asked for me t o preac h i n t h e Church of S t .

Paul i n t hat cit y w hich w a s g ran t ed This w a s on e of

, , .

t h e lar g es t houses of w orship i n Phila delphia a n d equal ,

i n bi g n ess t o m ost of t h e churches i n L o n don I t hin k I .

preache d t here about ei g ht ee n serm on s a n d g e n erally t o ,

v e r y cro w ded audie n ces freque n t ly m ore t han could pos

,

s ib l y g e t i n t o t h e house M os t of t h e cl e r gy of every
.

de n o m in at io n i n t h e C it y heard me t here an d man y ,

t housan ds of di ffere n t people I am i n cli n ed t o t hin k

.

t hat I n ever preached t o so m an y before n or si n ce as I

did so m e t i mes in t hat house an d w it h al most u n iversal
,

approbat io n . B u t n ow t h e t i m e of m y t rouble an d
cast i n g dow n c am e on an d t hus it w as
, .
 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 22 9

“
aft er I arrive d i n t hat cit y I h ad i n qu ired of
S oo n
som e frie n ds for The E verlast i n g Gosp e l, w hich I could
‘ ’

n ot l i g h t on for so m e t i m e b u t t hey le n t me M r St o n e
, .

house s book upo n t h e Rest it ut ion of all Thin g s 1 w hich

’
,
’

I h ad n e ver see n n or heard of befo r e This very learn ed .

w ork I read w it h g reat care an d his reason i n g, arg u ,

m e n t s an d S cript ur e proof see m ed t o m e e n t irely sat is

,

fact ory .

The fri en ds w h o procur ed m e t h e w orks of M r .

St on ehouse w ere con cern ed at m y hav in g an i n clin at io n

t o re ad an yt hi n g upon t h e subject ; n evert heless t hou g h ,

t here w ere seve r al of t he m w it h w hom I co n versed pre t t y

freel y upo n t h e m at t er an d w h o kn ew of my readi n g ,

M r S t on e h ou s e s w orks y e t t hey behaved in so frie n dly a

’
.
,

m an n er t o w ards m e t hat t hey n ever m e n t io n ed a w ord

of it t o a n y un t il by ot her mean s it came t o be kn o w n
,

an d t alked of .

“
I n t h e hou se w here I lodg ed w he n I firs t came t o t h e
cit y I had i n t h e freedo m of co n versat io n an d w it h
, , ,

so me appearan ce of j oy expressed myself in g en eral ,

t erm s upo n t h e subjec t bu t al w ays i n t h e exact w ords of

,

Script ure or in such a m an n e r as t his n a mely t hat I

, , ,

could n ot help hopi n g t hat G od w ould fi n ally brin g e ve r y

k n e e to b ow a n d e ver y t on g u e t o sw ea r ; an d t hat a t t h e

n ame o f J esu s e ver y k n e e s h ou l d bow of t hi n g s i n h ea ven , ,

and t h i n gs i n e a r t h , an d t hi n gs u n d er t h e ea r t h an d th a t
e very t on gu e sh ou ld con f ess JE S U S C H R I S T to be L or d, t o

1 Si r G e org e
S t on e h ou s e w as born i n D arn f or d, E n g l an d, an d w as
e du cat e d at O xf ord He be l on g e d t o a soc i e t at O x f ord cal l e d t he
. . y
H ol y Cl u b, of w h ich oh n We sl e w as p re si de n t Wh it fie ld, C h a rl e s
J y .

y J y
We sl e , an d ame s He rve w e re al so m e mbe rs I n t his c l u b t he .

Re st orat ion w as f re qu e n t l yd
S t on e h ou s e t oo t h e a ffirmat ive
ebat e d . k
of t h e qu est ion y
H e w as e mi n e n t l pr ofi c ie n t in t h e S r iac l an g u ag e ,
. y
of w hic h h e w r ot e a g r a mma r H e su ppose s ou r S aviou r de l ive re d
.

his discou rse s in t h a t l a n g u ag e H is fi rst a n d l arg e s t w or , e n t it l e d

. k
U n i ve rsal Re st it u t ion a S c r ipt u re D oc t r in e , w as p u blishe d i n 1 7 6 1
’ ‘
‘ .
.

He al so w r ot e se ve r al ot he r w or s n de f e ce
i n o f t k
h is s e n t ime n t
”
.
2 30 UNI VERS ALI SM IN AM ERI CA .

t he g lory of God th e F a t h e r An d t hat I t e d t h a t i n

.

t h e di sp ens a t ion o t h e f u l n es s o ti mes h e mi h t a t h e r

f f g g
t og et h e r in on e a l l t h i n gs i n C H RI S T , both w h i ch a re in
h e a ve n , an d w hich a r e on e a r t h , e t c.
“
S uch passag es as t hese I m e n t io n ed i n t h is m an n er ,

h opi n g t hat t hey w ould be fulfilled The people of t h e .

house seeme d s u rpri sed an d asked me if I b elieved so

, .

I an s w ere d t hat so met i m es I could n ot help t i n g t hat

,
‘

m i g h t b e so ’ I co u ld hardly have i m ag i n ed am o n g
.

frie n ds t hat an y da n g er could have ar i sen fro m my ex

pre ssin g a ho pe t hat t h e S cript ures w ere t rue .

“
Ho w ever t hese fal se frie n ds t ol d a m i n ist er, w ho m
,

for a n umbe r of years I had est eemed as my best an d

.

m ost i n t i mat e fri en d t hat I w a s t urn ed heret ic a n d be

, ,

l i e ve d i n t h e doct ri n e of t h e Un ive rsa l Res t or a t ion an d ,

desired h im t o c on vi n ce me S o me t ime aft er he m e t .

,

w it h m e in t h e s t ree t a n d i n a v e ry a brupt m an n er t old

,

m e t hat he had w a n t ed t o see m e for so me t im e t hat he ,

m i g ht g i ve me a p iece of his m in d ; t hat he had bee n i n

for med by such a perso n t hat I w a s in cl in ed t o t h e doc
t ri n e of t h e Un i ve r sa l R est or a t ion an d t h e n i n st ead of , ,

u sin g an y arg u me n t t o co n vi n ce m e or t akin g an y m e t ho d ,

for my r ecovery, added t his la co n i c speech, ‘If you e m

brace t hi s sen t imen t , I shall n o lo n ge r own you for a
brot her An d he has hit he rt o bee n as g ood as his w ord
.
’
,

h avi n g never w ri tt e n n or S poke n t o me from t hat day

t o t his ; an d w he n I h ave S i n ce o ff ered t o shak e h an d s
w it h h i m he refused ; a n d y e t he w a s on e w ho m I e s
t ee m ed ab ove an y ot her on eart h as a heart y sin cere , , ,

l o n g t ried, an d fait hful frie n d If my i n t i mat e frie n d

-
.

t reat ed m e i n such a m an n e r w hat h ad I t o expec t fro m

,

m y ope n an d avow ed en e m ies

I n ow foresaw t h e st orm an d I det ermi n ed t o pre ,

pare for it , n ot by den yin g w hat I h ad said bu t b y ,

e xam in in
g a n d de t ermi n in g for m y sel f w h et her t h e sen t i
m e n t w a s accordi n g t o S crip t ure or n ot If I fou n d t hat .
 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 231

i t w as n ot , det e rm i n ed t o ret ract bu t if it w as t o

I w as ,

hold i t fast l e t t h e co n s e quen ce s be w hat t h ey m i g ht I

, .

h ad n ow n o t im e t o los e I exp e ct ed i n a short t i me t o

.

be called t o a n accoun t an d exami n ed resp ect in g t his

doct r in e an d oblig e d e it h er t o d ef e n d or de n y it I w as
, .

al r eady t oo w ell persuaded t hat it w a s t ru e t o do t h e ,

lat t er w it hou t hesit at io n a n d y e t n ot sufficie n t ly for t h e

,

form er For t his purpose I shut myself up chiefl y i n m y

.

cham b e r read t h e S cript ures a n d prayed t o God t o l e ad

, ,

m e i n t o all t ru t h a n d n ot s n fie r m e t o e m brace a n y
,

e rror ; an d I t hi n k t hat w i t h an up r i g ht m i n d I laid

m ys e lf op e n t o believe w hat eve r t h e L ord h a d reve aled .

I t w ould be t oo lo n g t o t ell all t h e t eachin g s I h a d on

t h is head ; l e t i t suffice , i n sh ort t o say t h at I beca m e so ,

w ell persuaded of t h e t rut h of t h e Un i ve r s a l Res t or a t ion ,

t hat I w a s de t erm i n ed n e v e r t o d e n y i t l e t i t co s t ever ,

so m uch t houg h all my n um e rous frie n ds sh ould forsake

,

m e as I expec t ed t hey w oul d a n d t hou g h I S ho u ld be

, ,

drive n fro m m e n an d obli g ed t o d w ell i n caves or de n s

,

of t h e eart h an d feed on w ild root s a n d v e g e t a bl e s a n d

, ,

su ff e r t h e loss of all t h i n g s — fr ie n ds w e alt h fa me , , , ,

h eal t h charac t er a n d eve n lif e it s e lf

, ,
The t rut h a p .

p e a r e d t o m e m ore valuable t han all t hi n g s a n d as I h a d ,

foun d it I w as de t ermi n e d n ever t o part w it h it l e t w h at

, ,

w oul d be o ffered i n exc h a n g e .

I had n ow form ed my resolut io n a n d w as de t e rm i n e d ,

h ow t o ac t w h e n t h e t ri al ca m e H it h ert o I s a i d n ot h in g
.

about t h e Re s t or a t i on i n public a n d lit t le i n p riva t e ; ,

bu t I preached u p t h e deat h of Ch ris t an d salva t i on ,

for m an t hrou g h h im w i t h out rest rict io n , T h is f r ee .

m an n er of preachin g g ave ofi e n ce t o so m e w h o c a m e t o ,

hear m e n o m ore O n t h e eve n in g of t h e 2 2 d of J a n u

.

ary 1 7 81 a n u mber of t h e me mb e rs of t h e ch u r ch w h o
, , ,

had heard t h at I h el d t h e doct ri n e of t h e R e st or a t ion ,

m e t me at a frie n d s house t o ask m e t h e ques t io n w h e t h e r

’

I did or n ot I ackn ow led g e d t hat I did, bu t di d n ot

.
232 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Wish t o t rouble an ybody w it h my se n t im en t s The y de .

sired me n eit her t o preach t he m in public n or t o co n verse

of t he m i n privat e I t old t h e m t hat if t h ey w ould pre
.

ve n t people fro m aski n g m e I w ould say n o t hin g about

,

t h e m at t e r bu t if people asked m e con cern in g m y se n t i

m e n t s I could n ot d e n y t he m a n d if t h e y w is h e d t o kn o w
, ,

t h e reaso n s I m us t i n for m t he m
, A n d t h u s t h e m at t er
.

w a s t o res t ; bu t so m e t h a t w e r e prese n t w ished t o k n o w

t h e fou n dat io n of m y s e n t i m e n t s o t hers o p pose d i t n ot, ,

w ishi n g t o h e ar an y t h i n g i n i t s f avor At le n g t h i t w as .
,

ag reed t hat I m i ght read t h e passa g es of t h e S cript ure

upo n w hich I jud g ed t h e doct ri n e of t h e Re s tor a t ion t o
be foun ded bu t m ust n ot add a si n gle w ord of explan a
,

t io n on m y part an d on t he i r part s t hey w ere n ot t o ask

, , ,

an y ques t io n s or m ake t h e leas t opposit io n for if t hey ,

did I i n sist e d upo n t h e libe rt y of defe n din g

, .

Accordin g ly I t ook t h e Bible an d read m an y p assa g es

, ,

i n t h e Ol d an d N e w Test am e n t s w hich I judg e d t o c on,

t ai n t h e doct ri n e ; an d t h e very readi n g of t he m co n vi n ced

several of t h e co m pan y of t h e t r ut h of t h e Rest orat io n .

There w a s n o t hi n g fart he r t ook place at t hat t im e We .

part ed w it h mut ual a g r eem e n t I w as n ot t o preach it i n

,

t h e p ulpi t n or t o i n t roduce i t in co n versat io n bu t I w oul d

, ,

n ot be obli g ed t o de n y i t w he n asked n or refuse t o v i n

, ,

dicat e i t if oppos e d ; an d on t heir part s t hey w ere n ot t o

, , ,

speak of it t o my prej udice bu t t o e n deavor as much as

, ,

possible t o keep t h e mat t er close An d so w e part e d

, . .

B u t n ot w it hs t an di n g all t h e p ai n s t hat could be t ak e n

, ,

t h e m at t er g ot abroad an d seve r al cam e t o discourse w i t h

,

m e on m y prin ciples t o w ho m I g ave such reaso n s as I w a s

, ,

abl e for w hat I believed A lit t le t im e aft er t his I m e t

, .
,

w it h a n o t her copy of The E v e rlas t in g Gospel w hich I ,

’

t he n read t hrou g h w i t h att e n t io n for t h e first t i m e an d ,

fou n d m uch sat isfact io n ; t h e a rg um e n t s a n d S cript ure

proofs t herein co n t ain ed see m ed t o m e su ffii e n t t o c on
vin ce all t hat w ould read w it h can dor an d at t en t ion .
 ELHANAN WI NCHESTER . 2 33

“
I st ill co n t in ued t o act on ly on t h e defen sive n ot ,

preach in g u p o n t h e subject n or g oi n g about t o priv at e

,

h ous e s t o m a ke i n t e re s t i n m y f a vo r bu t if a n y cam e t o
,

m e an d w is h e d m e t o discourse u p o n i t I w oul d n ot ,

re fuse ; a n d t hus a n u m ber w ere co n vin ced of it s t rut h ,

w h ile o t h ers viole n t ly oppos e d i t An d t hus m att e r s

.

co n t in u e d un t il t h e lat t er e n d of M arch Havi n g heard .

t hat t h e Ger ma n Ba p t ist s i n Germ an t o w n about e i g h t ,

m ile s fro m Philadelphi a held t h e doc t rin e of t h e Re s t o

,

r a t i on I h a d ap p oi n t e d t o spe n d t h e fi rs t S u n day i n A pril

,

w i t h t he m ; a n d t his e n g ag e m e n t h ad bee n m a de so m e

t ime . Just as I w a s ready t o g o ou t of t h e cit y on S at ,

u r d a y I fou n d t h at so m e of t h e m e m bers of t h e Church

,

h a d p rivat ely se n t i n t o t h e coun t ry a n d collect e d a n u m

ber of t h e able st m in ist e rs w h o w e re arrive d i n t h e cit y
,

on purpose t o debat e . I g ave t he m t h e li be rt y of m y

pulpit as t hey p l e as e d for t h e n e xt day a n d w e n t ou t of ,

t h e ci t y t o g o t o Germ a n t o w n a n d t h e n t ook t h at opp or

t u n it y t o g o a n d visi t t h at an cie n t ve n erabl e a n d ex

, ,

c e l l e n t m an D r G e o r g e D e Re n n eville w h o r e cei v e d m e
,
.
,

i n t h e m os t ki n d op e n an d fri e n dly m an n er a n d h is
, , ,

co n versat io n w as most h i g hly edifyi n g t o m e Aft er .

w ards I w e n t t o Germ an t o w n a n d lod g e d t here all n i g ht

, ,

ready t o preach t h e n ext day As soo n as my e n e m ies i n

.

Ph ilade lp h i a foun d t h at I w as g on e ou t of t h e cit y t h ey ,

spread a re p ort t h at I had fle d t o avoid a n i n t e rvi e w w it h

t h e se m i n is t e rs w h o h ad co m e on purpose t o co n vi n ce m e .

N ot h i n g coul d have b e e n m or e false t h an such a report ,

for I had bee n e n g a g ed t o g o t o Ge rm an t o w n on t hat day , ,

for several w eeks beforehan d I k n ew n ot h in g of t h ese

.

i is ers bei e t for u t il t hey ca m e t o t o wn an d I

m n t n g s n n

had n o fe ar bu t I should be abl e by God s assist an ce t o

,
’
,

defe n d t h e cause before t he m ; a n d besides I had a p ,

poi n t ed t o ret urn on M on day an d did re t urn accordin g ly

,
.

The w hole ch urch m e t bot h my frie n ds an d m y opp o

’

se rs an d t hese m in ist e rs m e t w it h t he m I w as called

,
.
23 4 U NI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

to att en d a fun eral a t t hat t ime an d w as at t h e house of ,

m ourn in g w he n a m esse n g er w as se n t i n hast e t o desire

,

my i mm ediat e at t e n dan c e at t h e m eet in g w it hout a n y ,

d e lay I foun d t hat t h ose w h o w ere m y en e m ies i n t h e

.

asse mbly had bee n g reat ly vaun t in g over m y frien ds ,

becaus e I w a s n ot prese n t T h ey sai d I had abscon ded .

m erely t o avoid a de bat e i n w hich I w as sure t o be c on ,

f u t e d as h ere w a s a n opport u n it y t h at m i g h t n ever pre

,

sen t it self ag ain ; an d seven w ise able an d learn ed , ,

m i n ist ers had asse m bled on p u rpose t o disput e w i t h m e ,

bu t t hat I had g on e a n d left m y adhere n t s i n t h e lurch

‘

, ,

from a co n sciousn ess t hat I w a s n ot able t o defe n d my

cause ; w it h abun dan ce m ore t o t h e sam e purpose M y .

frien ds on t h e ot her han d t ol d t hem t hat I w as afraid of

, ,

n o t hi n g b u t s in a n d t hat t hey doubt ed n ot of my bei n g

,

able a n d w illin g t o d isput e w it h an y on e of t h e g e n t le

m e n or all of t he m on e by on e if t hey chose i t
, , Oh , .
,

no , t h ey replied t hey k n e w be t t er t ha n t h at ; I w a s
,

g o n e ou t of t h e w a y on purpose w here I coul d n ot be ,

fou n d M y frie n ds t old t h e m t hat if t here w a s a vot e

.

passed i n t h e asse mbly t hat I should disput e w it h an y

on e t h ey w ould e n g ag e t hat I w ould be am o n g t he m i n
,

a f e w m in ut es I t w as accordin gly un an imously vo t ed

.

t hat I should disput e w i t h t h e Rev M r Bo g g s upo n my . .

,

se n t i men t s in t h e prese n ce of t hese m in is t ers an d of t h e

,

w hole asse m bly B u t w he n i n a f e w m i n ut es I cam e i n

.

a n d t ook my place w hat differe n t cou n t e n an ces appeared

,

in t h e co n gre g at io n All m y frie n ds w ere hi ghly ple a sed ,

an d t h e ot hers w ere as m u ch co n fou n ded a n d disappoi n t ed

at s e ein g m e co m e i n so che e rfully an d quickly aft er ,

t he y m ade t he m selves so sure t hat I w ould n ot co m e .

B u t surely I m i g ht have bee n looked upo n w i t h pi t y

, .

Al o n e t o an s w e r for myself n o on e t o support m e ; ,

w hile my an t ag o n is t s w ere seve n of t h e ablest m i n ist ers

t h at could be obt ai n ed .

I fel t ho w ever t hat in w ard co m posure fro m a con

, ,
 ELHANAN WI NC HES TE R .
235

sc iou sn e s s of havi n g act ed upri g ht ly an d sin cerely in t h e

w h ol e aff ai r t hat eve n caused m y cou n t e n an c e t o appear
easy a n d c h eerful .

T h e vot e w as t he n publicly read a n d I st ood up an d ,

declare d m y readi n ess t o co m ply w it h w hat w as re quired .

The w ort hy g e n t lem an w h o w a s chosen t o dis p ut e w it h

m e t h e n rose up an d said t h ese w ords
, I a m n ot p r e ,
‘

pare d t o dis put e w it h M r Win chest er I have heard t h at

. .

he says t hat it w ould t ake S ix w eeks t o can vass all t h e

arg um e n t s fairly on bot h sides a n d I supp ose h e h as ,

bee n s t udyin g upo n t h e subject for a w e ek or more a n d ,

I have n ot st udied it at all an d t herefore I m ust be g t o

be excused .
’

Wh e n I foun d t hat he an d all t h e res t w holly declin ed

, ,

disput in g w it h m e I be g g e d libert y t o s p eak for t w o hours

,

upo n my se n t im e n t s a n d lay t h e m fairly o p e n a n d t h e

, ,

g rou n d upo n w h ich I m ai n t ai n ed t he m B u t t h is w a s .

den i e d m e I t he n desire d t he m t o g ive me on e hour for

.

t his p urpose bu t t his w a s also refus e d On e of t h e m in .

i st e r s g ot up an d said t hat t heir busi n ess w as n ot t o

deb at e w it h me bu t t o ask me w het her I be lieved t h e
,

R e s t or a t ion of bad m e n an d an g els fi n ally t o a s t at e of, ,

holi n e ss an d happin ess e t c ,

.

“
B u t if t h ey did n ot com e t o disput e w i t h m e w h y w as ,

t h e vot e passed by t heir part y as w ell as by m y frie n ds, ,

t hat I S hould dis p u t e w it h t he m This speaks for it s e lf .

The m i n ist ers i n sis t e d upo n put t in g t h e qu e s t io n t o m e ,

‘
Do you believe t h e doct rin e of t h e Un i ve rs a l Re s t or a
t i on ” M y fr i e n ds obj ect ed t o m y an s w e ri n g t h e qu e s
‘

t io n u n l ess I m i g ht be allow e d t o vi n dicat e my se n t i m e n t s

,
.

B u t I s aid t hat I did n ot fear an y use t hat coul d be m a de

of my w ords ; t hat I had alw ays freely co n fessed w hat
m y t hou g h t s w e r e w he n asked a n d t herefore t ol d t h e m , ,

t h at I did h eart ily believe t h e G e n e r a l R es t or a t i on a n d ,

w a s w illi n g t o defe n d i t The g e n t le m an t hat w as ch osen

.

t o disput e w i t h m e t he n asked m e w he t her I t h ou g ht it

23 6 UNI VERS ALI SM m AM ERI CA .

st ran ge con s i derin g my chan g e of sen t ime n t s, t hat t here

,

should be such a n oise an d uproar m ade upo n t h e occ a

‘

sion e t c I t ol d h im t h at I did n ot t hi n k it s t ran g e a t

, .

all an d g ave h im a li t t le hist ory of t h e affair an d h ow

, ,

t h e mat t er cam e abroad t hrou g h t h e t reachery of so m e

,

w ho m I had est ee med as m y frie n ds ; t hat w he n I me n

t i on e d it t o t hem I w a s n ot fully persuaded of it my se lf ,

an d perhaps n ever m i g ht have bee n if I had n ot b ee n ,

opposed an d t hreat en ed ; t hat I n ever h ad i n t en d e d t o

t roub le t h e people w it h m y sen t imen t s bu t w as w illi n g ,

t o live an d die w it h t hem if t hey could bear w it h m e ;

,

bu t t hat I could n ot use so m uch d eceit as t o de n y w h at

I b elieve d, w hen asked by a n y on e ; t hat I n ever had y e t
don e so an d by t h e gra ce of God n ever w oul d l e t t h e
, ,

con seque n ces be w hat t hey m i ght What I said w as i n .

t h e prese n ce of al l my acc users an d n o n e of t he m could

,

con t rad ict me n or had aug ht t o lay t o my char g e exc e pt

, ,

in t his m att er of t h e g ospel of m y S aviour M y dis .

course t ook such an eff ect upo n h im t h at he t he n publicl y ,

declared t hat my behavior i n t h e w hole affair had bee n

as became a man a n d a Christ ian a n d t hat n o on e could ,

ac cuse m e of an y improper co n duct I st ood so me t i me .

,

a n d as n on e appeared t o have an y t h i n g far t her t o say t o

m e I t ook my lea ve an d w e n t ou t
, He acco mpan ied me .

t o t h e door an d t old me t hat he w ould w rit e m e upo n t h e

,

s u bject ; bu t w hat ever w a s t h e reason he n ever did n or , ,

have w e spoke n t oget her sin ce .

The m in i s t ers t he n advised t h e people t o g e t an ot her

m in ist er ; bu t m y frie n ds bein g n u m erous i n s i st ed it
, ,

should b e fairly det ermin ed by t h e subscribers at large ;

bu t t his t h e ot her part y w oul d n ot a g ree t o S everal .

very fair offers w ere made by my frien ds t o t he m bu t ,

t h ey refused t he m all ; an d fin ally by force t hey kep t us , ,

ou t of t h e house an d d e prive d us of our part of t h e

-
,

propert y w hich w as at last con firm ed yo t hem by l aw ,

,

t hou gh I t hi n k u n jus t ly as w e w ere t h e m ajorit y at first ;

,
 ELHANAN WI NCHESTER . 2 37

bu t t hey t ook u n co mm o n p ain s i n c arry i n g about a p r ot e st

ag ain st m e t o eve ry m e m ber of t h e ch urch bo t h in t h e ,

cit y a n d in t h e cou n t ry a n d t h reat e n in g all w it h e x c om

,

m u n i c at i on w h o w oul d n ot S i g n i t ; by w h ich so m e w e re
in t i m idat ed an d by t hes e an d o t h e r m ean s t hey st r e n g t h
,

e n ed t h e ir part y B u t on t h e o t h er han d I t ook n o p ain s

.
, ,

eit her t o pros e ly t e people t o beli e ve m y se n t i m e n t s or t o

m ake m y part y st ro n g B u t I belie ve n ear a n h un d r e d
.

of t h e m e m bers suf fered t h e m selve s t o be e xc omm u n i

cat e d r at her t h an si g n t h e pro t es t ag ain s t m e an d t h e
,

d oct ri n e w hic h I preac h ed Wh e n w e w ere d e prived of

.

our h ous e of w ors h ip t h e t ru st e es of t h e u n i ve rs ity g ave

,

us t h e libert y of t h eir h all w h e re w e w ors h ip p e d G od for

,

about four years un t il w e purchase d a place for ourselves

, .

B u t t o re t urn A ft er t his m eet i n g of t h e m i n ist e rs t h e

.
,

w hole aff air w as op e n a n d I fou n d m ys e lf obli g e d t o v i n

,

d icat e t h e doc t ri n e w h ich t h ey h a d con de m n ed u n h eard ,

n ot o n ly i n privat e b u t i n t h e pulpit A ccor di n g ly on .

,

t h e 2 2 d day of April I p reac h ed a serm o n on G e n iii 1 5

,
. .
,

i n w hich I ope n ly assert ed t h e doct ri n e of t h e fin a l a n d

Un i ve r s a l R e st ora t ion of all falle n in t elli g e n ces This .

w as publish e d by part icular desire w i t h a lis t of t h e ,

plain est S crip t ur e passag e s in favor of t h e doct ri n e an d ,

a n um ber of t h e m os t co mm o n an d p rin cip al obj e ct ion s

fairly st at ed a n d an sw ere d This w as my first app e ar .

an ce in t h e w orl d as a p r ose w rit er w hich w as w h at I ,

n e ver expect e d t o be a n d probably shoul d n e ver h ave

,

been bu t for t his occasio n ; st ill less a w rit e r of con t ro

1
v e rs
y to w i
,
h ch I had n a t u r ally a g rea t av e rsio n .

1 T he t it l e of t h e se r m on is “
T h e Se e d of t h e Woman
bru isi n g t h e
S e r pe n t s H e a d A D isc
’
. o u r s e d e l i v e r e d a t t h e B a p t i s t M e e t i n g Ho u s e
” -
.

y
H e c on cl u de s i t by s a in g t h a t t h e doct rin e of U n ive rs al Re s t orat ion
“
is bu il t u pon t h e f oll ow in g pr oposit ion s , w hich m u st be pr ove d t o be
f als e be f ore it ca n be ov e r t h r ow n
I G od is l ove , e sse n t iall an d
. y mmu n icat ive l
co y , an d l ove s all t he
238 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

“
Aft er I had preached t his serm o n I had t h e Chevalie r
Ram say ’s Philosophical Prin ciples of N at ural an d Re
‘

vealed R e lig io n 1 pu t i n t o my ha n ds I read t h e sam e

’
.

w it h g reat pleasure a n d advan t ag e an d I m u st a ck n ow l ,

e dg e i t t o be a w ork of g reat m erit an d I have re aso n t o ,

bless God t hat ever I had an opport un it y of readin g i t .

I c an h eart ily reco mm en d it as on e of t h e best w orks i n

our lan g uag e a n d I must say t hat in m ost t hin g s I fully
,

ag ree w it h t hat very in t elli g e n t aut hor O n t h e fourt h .

da y of Ja n uary 1 7 82 I preached t h e serm o n called The

, ,

Ou t cast s Co m fort ed fro m Isaiah lxvi 5 t o my frien ds

’
.
, ,

w h o h a d bee n cas t ou t a n d exco m m un icat ed for be l i e v

i n g t his g lorious doct ri n e This w as soo n aft er prin t ed .
,

an d t h e n ext year i t w a s republished i n L o n do n by t h e

be in g s h e h at h m a de , con s i de re d as his cr e at u r e s, an d is c on st an t l y
k
se e i n g t o do t h e m g ood .

II . G od s de sig n in
’
cre at i n g in t e l l ig e n t be in g s w as t o ma k e t h em

happ y k
i n t h e n ow l e dg e an d l ov e of his g l oriou s pe rf e c t ion s .

III . God s a bs ol u t e , u l t i mat e

’
de sig n s c an n ot be e t e rn a ll f ru st ra t e d y .

IV . C h rist die d f or al l an d die d n ot in va i n .

V . C h rist cam e t o de st r o y th e prin ci pl e , or si n , ou t of t h e

e vil

u n iv e rse , w hich h e w ill fin al l y ff e e ct ; a n d t h e n m is e r s hall b e no y

m or e .

H e re ar e t h e me rit s of t he c au se : t h e se pr oposit i on s ar e som e of

the m se lf e v i de n t , a n d
-
t h e ot h e r s a dm it of t h e f u l l e s t de m on st ra t i on ,

or S c ript u re pr oof ; a n d t ill t he s e , t h e f ou n dat i on pr in cipl e s, a r e ove r

t h r ow n , al l a tt e m pt s ag ai n st t h e doct r in e a r e in v a in .

Gl or y t o God in t h e h ig h e st . We be l ie v e t h e t i m e w ill c om e w h e n

C h rist s h a ll s e e of t h e t r av a il of h is s ou l a n d be sa t is fied w he n
‘
t he
be b
’
ru i se d ; all p u t u n de r t h e f e e t of
t hi n g s
’
h e ad sha l l
‘
se r pe n t s

th e M e dia t or an d, fi n all y ,
t he k in g dom de live re d u p t o t h e F a t h e r ,
t h at G od may be A L L I N A L L ; f or of H I M , a n d t h r ou g h H I M ,

an d t o H M a
I re A L L T H I N S ,
t o w h om h e G L O R Y f ore v eGr A M E N
’
. .

1 A n dre w M i ch ae l Ram sa yw as a n at iv e of Ay r , S cot l an d w h e re h e .

w as born J un e 9 , 1 6 86 . He w as e du cat e d at E din bu r g h , an d w as in t i

m at e w it h A r ch bi sh op Fen e l on , w h o ch e r is he d t ow a r ds hi m t h e w a r m
e st f r ie n dsh ip . He di e d at t he ag e of fif t y -
se v e n . B e side s t he w or k
m e n t ion e d abov e , he a dv ocat e d t h e doct rin e of U n i ve r sa l Re st orat ion
in T h e T ra v e l s of C yrus .
”
 ELHANAN WI NC HES T ER .
23 9

Rev M r Richard Cla r ke an d w as t h e firs t of my w orks

. .
,

eve r p rin t ed here .

“
I have t h u s g ive n a brief plain an d S i mple accoun t , ,

of t h e m ean s t hat have broug h t m e t o t hin k an d w rit e in

t h e m a n n er t h at I have do n e a n d w hich accoun t ma be
y ,

co n sidered as an hist orical sket ch of n e arly four years

of my life ” 1 .

A st at e m e n t of t h e fac t s from t h e Bap t i st s t an dpoin t

w as
g ive n in t h e His t ory of t h e Philadelphia Bap t is t
A ssoc ia t i o n publ ished in 1 832 in a w eek l y j ourn a l
, , ,

en t it led The World

“
I t does n ot m a t erially di ff er
.
”

fro m M r W in chest er s accoun t

. The m aj ori t y ’
.

M r Wi n ches t er s fr ie n ds says t h e w ri t er of t h e his

’
.

t ory Rev M r Jo n es
, . proposed t o have t h e property
.
,

valued a n d e it her part y t ake it at it s value A n d

, .
,

adds M r Jon es I can n o t bu t comm e n d th e j u s ti ce a n d

.
,
“

m a g n a n i m i ty of t h e m aj orit y They w ere in possessio n .

of t h e propert y much of w hich b el o n ged t o t hem ; n or

,

had it in t he ir pow er t o do m uch for t h e w eal of Zion ,

y e t t hey had so m e co n scie n ce Why t his propos it io n .

w a s n ot accep te d is n ot exp lai n ed , .

A bou t t h e t im e t hese di fficult ies co mm en ced i n

Phi ladelphia Rev S a m ue l St ill m an D D an e min e n t
, .
, . .
,

Bapt is t m i n i st er t he n se t t led i n Bost o n M as s an d

, , ,

w hose pu l pit M r Wi n ches t er had occupied duri n g t h e.

su mm er of 1 7 7 6 w ro t e t o M r Wi n chest er w arn in g .
,

h i m ag ai n s t t h e doc t rin e of Res t orat io n an d des irin g

t o res t rain h im fro m t h e belief of i t The le tt er i s .

bu t M r Win ches t er s an s w er w a s t h e
’
n ot preserved ,
.

foll ow in g
1 P re f a c e t o t he e
s c on d e dit ion of
“
T h e U n ive rsal Re st orat ion ,
e x h ibit e d i n f ou r d ial og u e s be t w e e n a m in ist e r an d his f r i e n d, e t c.

B y E l ha n a n Wi n c h e st e r . L on don , 1 7 92 .
pp iii—x x vi
. .
2 40 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

PH I L AD E L P H I A , M arch 1 1 , 1 7 81 .

“
S I R, — Waivi n g all subject s of an in ferior n at ure I ,

t hi n k i t i n cu m be n t on m e t o can vass t hat w hich is of t h e

g reat es t w ei g h t an d hi g hest i m port a n d I earn est ly pray

,

t h e Fat h er of L i g h t s t o illum i n at e bot h t h e w ri t er a n d

t h e read er t hat t h e plai n si m ple t rut hs of t h e e v e r l ast
,

i n g Gospel m ay co m e h o m e t o t h e heart w i t h all t h at

force pow e r an d con vict ion upo n t h e m in d w hich t hey
, , ,

w e re g raciously desi g n ed t o i m pr e ss .

“
I n ord er t o be explicit an d i n t elli g ible I shall ,

e n deavor t o an s w er m y frie n d s let t er i n g e n e r a l an d

’
,

t he n su m up m y se n t i m e n t s i n as brief a m an n e r as pos
sible w hich w ill con t ai n an an s w er t o each p a r ti cu l a r
,
.

You say I i n form e d you m y m in ist ry w as blessed ,

a n d you h oped t o hear of so m e g ood effect s fro m i t .

Blessed be God it n ot o n ly w a s bu t co n t in ues t o be

, , ,

blessed ; a n d if y ou do n ot g ive t oo w illi n g an ear t o

st ori e s w hich have t heir rise i n en vy a n d malevolen ce ,

if you do n ot suffe r yourself t o be impose d upo n by ext er

n al appearan ces if you at t e n d m ore t o t h e report s of
,

Christ i an experie n ce t han t h e fl orid eloquen ce of it s

n o m i n al professors your h O p e w ill n ot be i n vain n or
, ,

your ex p ect at io n s frust rat ed ; bu t you w ill hear your

frie n d Wi n chest er — zealous for God s g lory an d t h e g ood ’

of his creat ures has bee n t h e happy in st ru m en t of bri n g

i n g m a n y so u ls t o t h e k n o w led g e of God ; a n d eve n n ow
t hey fl ock t o t rut h as d ov e s t o t heir w i n do w s
'

“
You t ell me w it h a frie n dly co n cern of w hich I am ,

n ot i n se n sible t hat you hear I avo w edly profess M u r

,

ray s prin ciples F ro m w hat I read i n t h e close of my

’
.

frien d s let t er I sho ul d be sorry t o be i n t h e m ost re mot e

’
,

sen se t i n ct ure d w it h prin ciples so full of levit y so fu ll ,

of absurdit y so g ross as t h e idea of t h e S heep an d t h e

, ,

g oat s co n vey ; so dives t ed of all se r ious n ess an d solidit y

t hat Christ ian it y m us t s t art w it h horror a n d m oralit y ,

blush w it h co n scious sham e at t h e bare recit al .

 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 2 41

My frien d ou g ht first t o be t ruly an d full y assured

t hat I am be w it ch ed ot h erw ise t h e quest io n is un an s w er
,

able ; he oug ht t o be perfect ly con vin ced t hat I h eld

’
M urray s prin ciples, or e r rors or t h e charg e is u n ch ari
,

t able
As t o w hat my frie n d ad van ces co n cern in g M r .

Wh i t fie l d s sermo n an d t h e O p i n ion of t he learn ed Drs

’
, .

Doddrid g e an d Gill I sh all forbear t o co mmen t ; a n d

,

o n ly observe t hat t here is a B is h op w hose expressio n s

an d se n t i m e n t s I g ive t h e g reat est prefere n ce t o an d ,

w hose si m ple ip se di x it I hol d i n hig her es t ee m t ha n t h e

w hole collect ive body O f divi n es .

I m ean th e B is h op of S ou ls t h e Head of t h e t r ue ,

Ch ris t ian Church, C h rist Jesus t h e best in t erpret er of ,

h i s ow n doct ri n e by h is holy S pirit w it h w hich h e e n ,

( lo w s his m in is t ers serva n t s c h ildre n

, an d people t hat
, , ,

t hey may n ot rest t heir fait h upo n opin io n s, or se n t i

m e n t s or learn in g an d scie n ce all w hich serve t o e n t an
, ,

g l e a n d perplex t h e m i n d w i t h n ice speculat io n s, a n d

w hich e n ge n der s t rife ; bu t upo n t h e more sure w or d of
prophecy .

“
What ever is t o be kn ow n of God i s made man ifest
by t h e w ork O f t his S pi rit I t s office is t o gui de un t o al l
.

t rut h. I t i s t his spirit t hat be ars aw ay w it h our spirit s ,

w hat w e are h ow w e st an d t o w h o m w e are t o be

, ,

ac coun t able an d w hat t h e con seque n ces of obedie n ce

,

an d diso b ed i e n ce are I t is t his S pirit t his illum in at io n

.
, .

t his divi n e l ig ht , w hich alon e c an an d w ill, i f properly

at t e n ded t o e n able my w ort hy frie n d t o see in t o t h e fol
,

lo w in g brief explan at ion of my se n t i me n t s respect i n g t h e

g lorious Gospel of J esu s Ch r i s t our L ord .

God i n his w ri t t en w ord declares hi m self as t h e

, ,

e v erlast in g essen t ial love

,
He t hat lovet h n ot kn o w
.
‘
,

e t h n ot God for God i s love If God be love e mph at i

’
, .
,

cally so abst ract ly so he can be n ot hin g else ; t he n it

, ,

n ecessarily fo l lo w s , w hat eve r h e i n fl ict s upo n his cre a

v on . I . 16
2 42 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t ures, m ust have it s rise an d spri n g i n love a n d in w i s ,

dom ho w ev e r severe an d t errible it m ay appear t o a

,

short si g h t e d creat ure ; an d if in love it m us t fin ally

-
,

ce n t re i n t heir happin ess a n d n ot hin g c an be t r uly ,

t erm e d so t h at com es S hort of t hat un describable feli

,

ci ty e n joyed in t h at sile n t E t ern it y of E t ern it ies w h ich

an g els t h e elect t h e fir st born t h e spirit s of t h e just
, ,
-
,

depart ed ki n g s — bu t n ot w it h out subject s

, , g overn ors , ,

or rulers of five cit ie s of t e n cit ies bu t n ot bare w al ls

, , ,

a n d all all w h o have follo w ed t heir L ord i n t h e re g e n

,

c rat io n t o g e t her w it h all t h e subordi n at e m illion s s t ars

, ,

i n t heir several m a g n it udes eac h i n t h eir sev e ral classe s , ,

ran ks an d orders S h al l e n joy w hen Christ w it ho u t dim i

, , , ,

n u t i on of his ow n g lory shall h ave delivered up blessed,

t rut h all in t o his F at her s han ds an d God be all in all ’

, .

“
If G od be love i n t h e abst ract he can have n eit her ,

hat e rese n t me n t or reven g e as me n cou n t hat e rese n t

, , , ,

m e n t an d reve n g e a n d t here f ore all his dispe n sat io n s

, ,

m us t t e n d t o t h e on e g r an d g racious d esi g n — t h e res ,

t or at i on of all his creat u r es i n t o t hat s t at e ou t of w hich

t h e y h ave bee n deluded by t h e adversary .

“
If God be love he m ust in an especial m an n e r love ,

t hat w h ich proceede t h fro m h i m A ct s x v u 28 : For i n . .

h i m w e live m ove a n d h ave our bein g ; for w e also are

, ,

his offspri n g a part of t h e divi n e n at ure h o w eve r de

"

, ,

face d by S in an d t h erefore m ust re t urn t o H im w h o

,

ave f er havi bee r e pur g ed — aft er t h e

g it A t n g n fi g ross
-
.
,

m at t er bei n g co n sum ed t h e dross separat ed fro m t h e ,

g old or in ot her w ord s t h e pollut ed creat u r e by p art

, , ,

bein g co n sum e d — i t may be qualified t o st an d be f o re

,

H i m w h o is all holy all p ure ; an d i n t his se n se God is ,

just ly s t yled a co n sum in g fire .

“
I fin d i t p lain ly a n d expressl y declared i n Rom xi . .

36 t hat of h i m t hrou g h h i m a n d t o h i m are all (w i t h

, , , ,

ou t except io n ) all t hi n g s i n Col i 1 6 m ore expressly

, , . .
,

declared : By h i m w ere all t hin g s [n o e xcept io n s ] cre

‘
 ELHANAN WI NCHES T ER . 2 43

at ed t hat are i n h e ave n or i n e art h vi sible an d i n visi

, , ,

ble [m ark here w hat exact n ess an d pre cisio n ] Wh e t h e r .

t hey be t hro n es or d o m i n io n s or pri n cipali t i e s or po w ers

, , , ,

all t hin g s w ere creat e d by hi m an d for h im .

’

Re ad t h e subseque n t verses at t e n t ively m y fri e n d , .

I read i n Wisdo m xi 2 4 t hat God love t h all t hin g s .

‘

t h at are a n d h at e t h n o t hi n g w hich he hat h m ad e ; a n d

,

t hat he w ould n ot have m ade a n y t hi n g if h e h a d h at e d

it I n Re v iv 1 1 I read — n ay I fe e l m y soul t u n e d
’
. .
.
, , ,

t o t h e u n iverse accl a im a n d i t echoes respo n sive t o , ,

‘
Th ou a r t w ort hy O L ord t o receive g lory a n d ho n o r
, , , ,

a n d p o w e r ; for t h ou has t creat ed all t hi n g s a n d for t h y ,

pleasure t hey w ere cre at ed .

’

“
On ce m ore Paul by t h e spirit n ot as a se n t i me n t al
.
, ,

i s t an d I feel u n i t y w i t h i t
, L ove t hi n ke t h n o e vil ,
‘
,

much less does or desi g n s evil 1 Cor xiii 5 ; fro m all

’

,
. .

w h i c h I draw t h is b lessed t his happ y t his a p t t hi s easy , , ,

co n clusio n .

“
If all t hi n g s visi ble a n d in visible w ere creat ed by
, ,

h im a n d for h is pleasure he is n ot a God w hose pleasure

, ,

co n sist s i n t h e n ever ceasin g t orm en t s of t h e creat ures h e

-

has made He is n ot less love w h o is love t han t h e

.
, ,

creat ure h e has form ed w h o o n ly feeli n g a s p ark of , ,

d ivin e love w ishes for arm s w ide as S pace t o e m brace

,

all God s creat ur e s for w in g s s w ift er t h an ea g le s t o

’
,
’
,

co n vey t h e m t o t h e fee t of Jesus 0 my frien d is t h e .

,

river larg er t han t h e ocean in t o w h ich i t d ise mbo g ues ,

i t se lf ; t h e dro p lar g er t h an t h e bucket ; t h e i n fe rior

lum in aries bri g ht er t han t h e su n fro m w h ich t hey borro w ,

t hei r lust re Is he a God w hose g lory i s derived fro m ,

t h e n e ver e n di n g t orm e n t s s h rieks a n d g roan s of t h e

-
, ,

creat u r es for w ho m he m an ife st s as w e l l as profe sses so

m u ch love t hou g h as m an y as he lov e s he rebukes a n d
,

chas t e n s 9
“ The
L ord by his pro ph e t Isaiah (xl vi 23 ) says I ‘
,
.

have s w orn by m yself th e w ord has g o n e ou t of m y ,

2 44 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

mout h i n ri ght eousn ess, an d shall n ot re t urn , t hat u n t o

me e very kn ee shall bow an d every t o n g ue shal l s w ear
, .
’

If so, L ord, w e m ust be lie ve t hat n o n e of t h y creat ures

w ill b e exclude d fro m t h y prese n ce lo n g as t hou ar t God ,
.

If exiled, h ow shall th ey bow t h e k n ee t o t hee i n t oken

of sub mission ; if excluded h ow S h all t hey sw ear alle ,

g ian ce t o t hee as K in g of k in g s an d L ord of lords see ,

i n g t his n at u rally supposes a n ot h er po w er t o w h i ch t hey ,

w ill be subject An d t his t h y S o n s m erit s an d at o n e

,
’

m en t are made n ot su fii Ci e n t for all bu t for a very f e w ;

, , .

i n st ea d of bein g a propit iat ion for t h e sin s of t h e w hole

.

w orld t hey are in e ffica ciou s t o t hree part s in four of

,

m an k i n d .

“
What t he n shall w e say t o John w h o in hi s first
, , , ,

E pis t le ( i i 2) assures us He is t h e propi t iat io n for our

.
,
‘

si n s an d n ot for o u rs o n ly bu t for t h e sin s of th e w hole

, ,

w orld Or t o Paul in his E p is t le t o t h e Ro man s (v

.
’
,
.

w here he as co n fide n t ly a n d p lai n ly assert s t hat As by

t h e o ffe n ce of on e m a n jud g me n t cam e upo n al l m e n t o
co n demn at io n , even so [ exact ly ] by t h e r ight eousn ess of
on e , t h e free g i ft ca me u p o n all m e n t o just i ficat ion o f

life ; fro m all of w h ich I draw t his co m fort i n g in fer

’

en ce t hat n o pun ishm en t ho w ever g rievo u s in it s e xe cu

, ,

t i o n how ever lo n g in it s d urat ion w h ich u n b oun ded love

, ,

i n fl ict s upon it s creatu res here or hereaf t er, is infl ict ed

m ere ly for t h e n ever e n din g t orm e n t s of t hose d iv in e
-

creat ures w h o have had t heir ori g in i n by, an d t hr ou g h ,

H im, w h o i s l ove un chan g eable .

“
N ow my frie n d from t his an t epast on e art h, l e t us
, , ,

on t h e w i n g s of co n t e mplat ion soar in t o t h e w orld of ,

S pir it s an d w i t h t h e eye of fai t h view t h e w on ders t here

, ,

as describe d i n Rev xiv 1 —4 : I looked an d l o a L amb

. .
, ,

s t ood on M oun t S io n an d w it h h im a hun dred fort y an d

,

four t h ousan d, havin g his Fat her s n am e w rit t en i n t heir ’

foreheads An d t hey su n g as i t w ere a n e w son g

.
,

an d n o man coul d learn t hat so n g bu t t h e h un dr ed an d

 E LHANA N WI NCHEST ER . 245

fort y four t housan d The se are t he y w hich follow

an d .

t h e L am b w hi t hersoever he g oet h These w ere redeeme d .

fro m a m o n g m e n be in g t h e fir st fruit s un t o God an d t o

,
-

t h e L am b Behold t h e aw ful seali n g of t hese servan t s

’
.
,

t h e el e c t of God B u t w h o a r e t hose t hat Jo h n t ells

.

us of i n t h e 9t h verse A ft er t his I beheld a n d lo e t c

, , ,
’
.

Who are t h ese T h e qu e st io n is a n s w e red i n t h e 1 4t h

verse These are t h ey w h ich have co m e ou t of g re at
.

t ribulat io n ; an d w h o t hese are w e shall pe r haps s e e , .

A n d ev e ry creat ure w h ich is i n heave n a n d on t h e

‘

eart h a n d un der t h e eart h a n d such as are i n t h e se a

, , ,

a n d all t hat are i n t he m heard I sayi n g — Blessi n g a n d

, , ,

h o n or a n d g lory a n d po w er be un t o H i m t hat si tt e t h
, , ,

up o n t h e t h r o n e a n d u n t o t h e L a mb forever an d e ve r
, .
’

(Re v v
. . Blessin g " H ow my frie n d sh all t h e y , ,

cry blessin g for excruc iat in g n ev e r e n din g t orm e n t

‘
,
-

Blessin g t o H im fro m w ho m t h ey are fore ve r exclude d

Ho n or " S hall t hey cry hon or for reduci n g t h e m t o a ’

s t at e w orse t han diabolical Glory " S hall t hey c ry

g lory for cast i n g t he m in t o a s t at e of eve rlas t i n g t or
‘ ’

me n t s Po w er " S hall t hey t han k a po w er t h at is at

t his s t ran g e rat e i n su fficie n t t o r e lease t h e m ou t of t h e
han ds of d evils Oh w h at a re n din g is here of t h e g lori
,

ous syst em of t h e Gospel " While on e S ide ackn ow led g es

God has t h e po w er bu t n ot t h e w ill t h e o t her subscribes ,

t o his ha v i n g t h e w ill bu t n ot t h e pow er t o be g racious ,

t h ou g h bo t h are s t am ped by t h e seal of S cri p t ure T h at .

w h ic h h a s n ei t h er be g i n n i n g n or e n d is allo w e d by all
t o be t h e proper t y peculia r o n ly t o t h e divi n e u n creat e d
bein g such a n i n fin i t e dur at io n w hich t houg h i t h at h a , ,

be g i n n i n g y e t has n o e n d ca n be t h e p rope rt y o n ly in
, ,

his divin e creat ures his off s p rin g root e d in G od an d

, ,

m ust t h erefore i n h im be w i t hout e n d What soe v e r h a s n ot .

it s et ern al roo t i n God or his creat in g po w er bu t i s S prun g

, ,

up i n t h e creat ure — such as s in deat h e t c — can n ot

, , ,
.
,

have a n absolu t e ly e n dless e xi s t en ce N 0 h e re God is t h e .

,
2 46 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

con sum in g fir e t o purify t o re st ore t o pri mi t ive purit y

, ,
.

If t hen de g e n eracy or s in w hich is foun d in falle n an g els

, , , ,

an d m a n t o g e t her w i t h t h e pu n ish m e n t follo w in g are of

, ,

a n absolut ely e n dless exis t e n ce an d w ill co n t i n ue lo n g ,

as God be God t he n s in is eit her a God or a divin e cr e a

,
f

t ure . An d w ould my frie n d m ain t ain such t e n e t s w he n ,

i n Wisdo m i 1 3 God m ade n ot deat h n eit her hat h he

.
, ,

pleasure i n t h e des t ruct io n of t h e livi n g At t e n d seri .

’
,

ou sl y at t e n d t o w hat procee ds fro m t h e lip of t rut h i n

,

Rev xxi 4 5 : An d God shall w ipe aw ay all t ears fro m

. .
,
‘

t h eir ey es an d t here shall be n o m ore deat h n eit her sor

, ,

r ow n or cryi n g n eit h er shall t here be a n y m ore pai n ;

, ,

for t h e form er t hin g s are passed a w ay An d he t hat s at .

upo n t h e t hro n e said Behold I m ake all t hin g s n e w , ,

.
’

Glory t o God t hi s is t h e Gospel t h e blessed glorious

, , ,

Gospel This is good n e w s in deed t o all

. peace t o all , ,

g ood w il l t o w ards al l s a lva t ion to a l l The n may t h e C on

-
.
,

qu e ror of Deat h say g loriously t riu m phan t 0 de at h , , ,

w here is t h y st i n g — los t t ake n a w ay O g rave

; , ,

w her e is t h y vict ory — n ot a soul t o boast of n o n ot

, ,

on e ; all redee m ed all s n at ched fro m t h e S poiler all , ,

an sw eri n g t h e purpose of t heir cre at io n —t h e g lory of ,

God The last en e m y t hat shall be dest royed is d e at h

. .

Was I t o w rit e al l t hat is i n m y he art on t his an imat i n g

subj ect it w ould s w ell a le t t er t o volum es I shall t h ere
,

fore co m e t o w ards a con clu s io n w i t h t w o observat io n s .

Respect i n g t h e w ords fore ver a n d et ern it y : 1 st They .

have several m e an in g s bot h i n t h e Hebre w a n d i n t h e ,

Greek an d in t h e S cript ure i n m an y places si g n ify n o

,

m ore t h an p e riod s of t i me ; an d t herefore w hat is said

of a t h i n g m ust be un derst oo d i n s u ch a m an n er as t h e
n at ure of t h e t h in g w ill allo w w he t h er of God or of creat ,
~

ures 2 d Whe n of God, an absolut e e n dl e ss e t ern it y

. .
,

(see G e n xxi 3 3 ; Chron v 1 3 e t c ) w hen of t h e divi n e

. . . .
, .

c reat ures as i n t h e let t er above ( see M at t xxv 4 6 ; M ark

, . .

x 3 0 e t c ) w hen of t hi n g s w hich have a cert ain period

.
,
.
 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 2 47

of t im e — a be g in n i n g an d e n d a m an ’s life t ime (L e v
, ,
.

xxv . 3 d The L evit ical pries t hoo d an d t h e divi n e

.

w orshi p of t h e Ol d Test am e n t
(Heb ix 1 0 ; E xo d xii . . . .

1 4 1 7 a n d t h e follow in g chap t er)

, , 4t h The t i m e of . .

Christ s in carn at ion an d before t h e p re ac hi n g of t h e

’
,

apost les (Rom xvi 25 ; Heb ix 5 t h I n a com plex

. . . . .

sen se t h e ag e of t his presen t w orld ( Heb xi 3 com p are d

, . .
,

w it h E p h i 2 0 , 6 t h I n part icular t his prese n t

. . .

w icked w orld t o co m e t o an e n d M att xii 32 ; xiii 40 ;

( . . .

L uke xx 3 4 ; Gal i 4 ; E p h i 2 1 ; 1 T i m vi 1 7 ) i n all

. . . . . . .

w h ic h places t h e w ord a i on
) ag es or e t ern it y i n
’ ’
(
‘ ‘
, ,

Greek is ren dered by t h e w ord w or ld The n ext obse r

, .

vat ion I S h al l att em pt is t hat if my frien d w ill reper use ,

Dr Gil l he w ill fin d t hat h e ackn ow led g es t h at so m e

.
,

part icular part s of S cript ure m ust resolve in t o t h is doc

”
t ri n e or t hey are un in t elli g ible
, .

It is ev i de n t from th e foreg o in g t hat M r Win chest er .

had lit t l e or n o sympat hy w it h the t heory advocat ed

b y Joh n M urray Be fore t h e t w o men me t t hey kn e w
.

lit t le of an d w ere qu ite di st an t in t he ir feeli n g s t ow ards

, ,

ea ch ot her Aft erw ards as w e shall see t hey reg arded

.
, ,

each ot her w it h mut ual respect a n d a ff ect ion .

M r W in chest er s re l ig i ous v i e w s d iff ered bu t l itt le

’
.

from Arm in ian ort hodoxy except in regard t o t h e de ,

sign an d durat i on of pu n ish m en t an d th e u l t i m at e sal ,

vat i o n o f all moral creat ures w he t her me n or an g els ,

.

The lat e Rev Dr Ball ou in an art i cl e already quo t ed

. .
,

from in t h e Un i versal ist Q uart erly for Jan uary 1 848

,
“ ”
, ,

t hus descr ib es M r W in chest er s t heol og y

’
.

He foun d i n t h e S crip t ures e xplicit reco gn i t io n s of a

period w he n all t hin g s should be g at here d t o get her in
Christ ; w hen all t hi n g s s h oul d be recon cil e d t o God
t hrou g h h im w he n all t hi n g s should b e sub dued t o h i m ,
248 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM E RI C A
.

an d God becom e all i n all ; w he n every k n ee should bow '

an d every t o n g ue co n fess e t c Besides t h ese t here w ere ,

.
,

i n all part s of t h e Bible m an y e vide n t refe r e n ces t o such

a fi n al co n sum m at io n T h e very plan of salvat io n as
.
,

re vealed i n t h e S cript ures also in volv e d U n iversalism ; ,

for G od w ould have all m e n t o be saved a n d for t hat ,

p u rpose sen t his S on w h o g ave h im self a ra n so m for all

, ,

a purpose t h at could n ever be aban do n ed An d t he n .

,

ag ain h e sa w t h e sa m e result s e cured by t h e perfec t ion s

,

of God ; t h e divi n e n at ure could n ot fail t o t riu mph

eve n t ually ove r all evil a n d re m ove it fro m t h e un iverse ;
,

al m ig ht y po w er o mn iscie n ce an d in fi n it e love could

, ,

issue o n ly i n t h e sa n ct ificat i on an d blessedn ess of all in

t e ll i g e n t creat ures T h e obj ec t ion s ur g ed fro m t h e
.

S cript ure lan g ua g e everlast in g fire pun ish men t e t c , ,

’
.

‘
forever forever a n d ever e t c — h e an s w ered by sho w in g
, ,
’
.
,

t h e am bi g uous use of t h ese e p it he t s an d qualify i n g

'

p hrases a n d by lexico g r aphical cri t icis m s on t h e force of

,

t h e ori g in al t erm s Ot her t ext s adduced as obj ect ion s

.

he explai n ed by t heir co n t en t s or by parallel passag es , ,

accordin g t o t h e com m o n ly received prin ciples of i n t e r pr e

t at i on I n doin g t h is he usually arg ued W it h g ood
‘

.
,

se n se a n d al w ay s w it h perfect can dor ; a cavil or a

, ,

sleig ht of —han d t reat me n t of a t ext w ould have bee n an

-

i m possibili t y w i t h his ope n hear t ed sin ce r it y a n d serious -

t e mpe r . Thoug h like m ost of t h e cot e mporary divin es

, ,

an d eve n biblical sch olars be relied t oo m uch on t h e ,

m ere verbal relat io n s of part icular t ext s an d t herefore ,

did n ot g ive f re e scope t o t h e g e n eral purport of t h e dis

course an d t houg h he so met i m es r an i n t o do w n ri g ht
,

e n t h usias m in accept in g as lit eral t h e g org eous im ag ery

,

of t h e p r ophecies an d apocalypt ic visio n s y e t so far , ,

a s w e kn o w h e w a s t h e fi r s t t o i n t roduce am on g t h e
,

U n iversalis t s an yt h in g t hat can be called S cript ure i n t er

pre t at i on The fu n damen t al prin ciples of his m et hod
.
,

so m e w h at e n larg ed i n deed an d m odified by t he g en eral ,

 ELHANAN WI NCHESTER . 249

i mp rove m e n t s of half a ce n t ury as w ell as by our ow n ,

revision s a r e t h ose on w h ich w e n ow explain t h e Bible

, ,

or a n y o t h e r book .

“
His peculiar vi e w s of t h e i n t erm e diat e s t at e an d
of fu t u rit y (e sch a t ol ogy ) w e re t h e follo w i n g : I mme di
,

a t e ly aft er h i s cr u cifixio n t h e soul of C h r i s t w e n t firs t

,

t o Para dise ( L uke xxiii a n d t h e r e a n n ou n c e d t o t h e

.

w ai t i n g expec t an t sai n t s of all fo rm e r ag e s salvat io n

t h r ou g h hi s b loo d j u st sh e d The n h e descen de d t o h ell

.
,

i n t h e lo w e r p a rt s of t h e e art h a n d t h e re p reac h e d t o ,
‘

t h e spi r i t s i n p r iso n (1 Pe t i ii so m e of w h om w er e
’

. .

t h us co n ver t ed . At his asce n sio n t h e souls bot h of t h e ,

an ci e n t be lie vers i n P a rad is e an d of t h e rece n t be l i e vers

i n Ge h e n n a follo w ed hi m i n h i s t riu m phal pro g res s i n t o
,

h eave n (PS lxviii 1 8 ; E p h iv

. . a n d w e r e r e c e ived
. .

w i t h h i m i n t o g lory B e fore t h e e n d of t h e w orld t h e

.

bo di e s of all s ai n t s s h all be raised a n d t h ey s h all rei g n ,

pe r so n ally w it h Chr i s t a t hous an d years on eart h i n all

t erres t rial as w ell as S p i r i t u al e n joy m e n t s At t h e close .

of t h is p e r iod a g e n e ra l apost a sy w ill follo w t h e loosin g of

S at an ; a n d subseque n t ly t h e i n n u m e ra ble h ost s of r e
, ,

bels w i ll be d e s t roy e d i n a m os t t errible m an n e r by fire ,

fro m h e ave n T h en shall co me t h e se co n d resur rect io n

.

a n d u n iversal ju dg m e n t ( Re v T h is w ill be h el d
.

on ou r ea r t h . T h e separ at ion havi n g b e e n m ade a n d ,

t h e doo m pro n ou n ced t h e r ig h t eou s S hall follo w C h ris t

,

i n his re t ur n t o t h e h i g hes t heave n ; w h ile t h e w icked

w ill be l eft b e hi n d for p un ish m e n t (M at t The .

eart h w il l t h e n be m elt e d by t h e fin al c on fl agr at ion i n t o

, ,

a l ake of fire t h e h o rr ibl e abo de of los t m e n an d an g els

, ,

for ag es of ag es T h ei r un ut t erable suffe ri n g s h o w e ve r

.
, ,

w ill at le n gt h bri n g t h e m t o sub m issio n t hou g h so m e of

t h e m ost perverse m ay con t i n ue obs t i n at e perh a p s t ill , ,

t h e fif t y t h ousan d t h year
-
B u t w he n t h e eart h shall
.

have bee n t h oroug h ly purified by t h e fl a me s a n d all re ,

bels an g elic as w e l l as hum an brou g ht t o repen t an ce

, , ,
250 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

the heaven s an d ear t h shall ap p ear an d un iversal

n ew ,

blessedn ess be co m plet e The S on shall deliver up t h e .

kin g dom t o t h e Fat her an d God be all i n all ” , .

I n th e pu bli shed l ett ers of Rev J oh n M urray t here .

are fre q ue n t all us i on s t o M r W in chest er an d four l e t .

,

t ers w h i ch w ere d irect ed t o t hat g en t l eman ; bu t ,

un fort u n at ely dat es are o m it t ed an d it i s qu it e i m

, ,

poss ib l e t o t ell from t hese a l on e w hen e it her t heir

correspon den ce or t hei r perso n al ac q uain t an ce b eg an .

From u n publi shed l e t t ers t o a n o t her Philadelphi a

frien d t hese dat es may n ow b e est ab li shed
, The .

first l et t er from M r M urray w a s w ritt en in t h e w in

.

t e r or sprin g of 1 7 83 Un der dat e o f Apr il 6 M r

.
, .

M urray says :

I am very sorry M r Wi n chest er did n ot receive m y.

le t t er t h ough if I should make up my judg m e n t of hi m

,

fro m w hat I have heard of h i m fro m eve n his professin g ,

f r ie n ds as he has of me I should be very in differe n t

, ,

w h e t h e r he had received it or n ot ; bu t as t h is is n ot t h e

cas e should I m ee t w i t h a safe opport un it y I do n ot

, ,

k n o w bu t I m ay t r y on ce m ore, as I have a copy of w hat

I w rot e s t ill by m e ” .

This l ett er w as w r itt en on accoun t of a l ett er w h i ch

h i s frie n d M r B had received from M r Wi n chest er
, . .
, .
,

i n w hich m en t ion w as made of M r M urray Con cern . .

i n g t ha t port ion of it M r M urray says ,

.

“
Of t hat part of your let t e r I k n o w n ot w hat t o t hi n k .

I a m i g n oran t w hat in for m at io n you receive d fro m y o u r

.

correspo n den t an d i n deed it is a li gh t t h i n g w it h m e t o

,

be jud g e d by man s judg m e n t O n e t h i n g is ce rt ain

’
.
,

i gn o r an ce a n d prejudice have oft en laid t h at t o m y

charg e t o w hich I a m a st ran g er Ho w ever if as I .
, ,
 ELHANAN
-

WI NC HESTER . 25 1

t rust , you are a t rue disciple of Jesus Chris t you w ill ,

judg e n o man before you hear h i m I am ready at al l .

t i mes t o g ive a reaso n for t h e h O p e t hat is i n m e i n ,

m eek n ess a n d fear I con fess I w ish t o have fello w s h i p

.

w i t h t hose w hose fello w ship is w it h t h e Fat her an d w i t h ,

t h e S on Jesus C h ris t a n d t o acco mpan y t h e m w i t h ou t

,

t h e cam p beari n g t h e r e p roach of t h e S aviour ; a n d t h is

,

I am persuaded I S hall so m e w ay or ot her do ” .

I n A ug us t of t ha t .year M r M urray w as in Ph ila

.

delphia a n d made M r
,
. W in chest er s ac quain t an ce t h e
’

latt er be in g t he n in feebl e hea lt h M r M urray t hus

. .

describ es t h e i n t erv ie w
I have bee n by i n vit at io n t o visit M r Win ch e s t e r ;
, ,
.

he see ms t ot t e rin g on t h e verg e of an ot her w orld I have .

be e n e difie d by his rem ar ks ; an d alt ho u g h I a m n ot

un it ed w it h h i m i n se n t i m e n t i n every p art icular y e t w e ,

joi n issue i n on e g lorious an d fu n dame n t al t ru t h t h e ,

fin al rest orat io n of t h e w hole post erit y of Adam an d on

t his g rou n d I hail h i m as m y frie n d an d brot her Ou r .

i n t ervie w has bee n ex t re m ely affe ct i n g ; he claspe d m e

w i t h ardor t o his boso m an d droppe d such t ea r s as ,

frien ds are w o n t t o S he d upo n m eet in g e ach o t h er aft er

a lo n g an d pain ful separat io n I an t icipat e bot h p leasure .

a n d profit fro m associat i n g w i t h t his g e n t le ma n .

Ag a i n i n,
a l e t te r t o Rev N oah Parker he expresses .
,

h i s op in i on of M r W in chest er : .

S i n ce rot e t o you I h ave seen a n d c on v e rse d

I last w

w i t h t h e Re v M r Wi n chest er
. . I adm ire h im m uch ; his .

co n duct a n d expressio n s evi n ce on e of t h e be st heart s I

h ave k n o w n I have con ceived a very st ro n g affect io n
.

for h i m an d t o t h e co n fusio n of t h e e n e m ies of G od our

,

S aviour a ve ry lar g e n u m ber of r e spect able h e arers have

,

see n h im a n d your frie n d en t er t h e pul pit t o g e t her M r . .

25 2 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Win chest er san g an d addre ssed t h e t h ro n e of g race an d

, ,

at his reques t I preached A g reat er par t of his con g re

.

g at i on are e n e mies t o m e because i n t heir j ud g m e n t I, , ,

do n ot su ffi cie n t ly expat iat e upo n i n w ard holi n ess ; for

alt ho u g h t h ey call t he m selves U n iversalist s y e t C h ris t ,

is n ot sufficie n t for t he m ; bu t I have preached t o t heir

p r eacher i n privat e an d I h a ve t h e sat isfact io n t o
,

pro n ou n ce t hat he receives t h e g race of God w it h

” 1
avi d it y .

In u n pu blished lett er
an to a Phil ade lphia f ri en d M r
.

M urray w r it es

Ha v e you ever seen an y t hin g of M r Win chest er .

si n ce 7 God pr eserve t hat dear m an I lon g t o s e e

‘
.

h i m or h ear fro m h i m at leas t If I had t i m e I w ould “

.
,

w ri t e t o h i m Give my heart s love t o h i m Tell h im

.
’
.

he w ould have m ade me very happy if he could have

journ eyed w it h me This dear m an w ill be m y very
.

w ar m frie n d or my very bit t er en e m y God o n ly k n o w s

”
w hich .

The person al rel at i on s of t hese t w o m e n w ere ever

aft er of t h e most cord i al charact er They n ot un i re .

que n t ly crit icis ed each ot her s syst ems very f ree ly an d ’

,

so m e t i mes w it h n o li t t le severit y bu t of eac h o t her t hey ,

S poke w it h hig h comm e n da t i on I n t h e fa ll of 1 7 86 .

M r M urray heard t hat M r W in ches t er h a d spoke n

. .

very p lain ly an d severe ly of hi s v ie w s ; an d he w rit es

“
I rep l i ed t o all t h is t hat I cou l d n ot he lp l ovi n g M r
, .

Win ches t er an d t hat all t h i s on l y serves t o prove h i m

,

at l east an ho n es t m an .

M oses Win ches t er a ha lf b ro t her o f Elhan an b eg an

,
-
,

t o preach in 1 7 84 j us t as he w as en t eri n g h i s t w e n t y
,

1 L e tt e rs an d S k e t ch e s of S e rmon s, vol . II .
p 1 12
. .
 M OSES WI NCHESTER . 25 3

first year He accompan ied his brot her t o N e w En gl an d

.

in t h e fa ll of 1 7 85 an d offici at ed in t h e U n iversa l ist

,

house of w orship in Bost on fre quen t ly durin g t hat

v isit S peaki n g of t h e t w o in a l e t t er t o a Phil ade l
.
,

phia fr ien d M r M urray says

, .

I really t h in k M r Win chest er [E lha n an ] is t h e bes t

.

preacher I kn ow i n t his cou n t ry if h e preaches al w ays ,

as w hen I had t h e pl e asure of hearin g h i m His bro t h e r .

M oses has I t hi n k cleare r vie w s of t h e Gospel preache d

, ,

un t o Abraham ; bu t I fear he n ever w ill be so g reat a m an

as his brot her I a m afraid he is n ot so he art ily e n g ag ed
.

”
i n t h e cause as I could w ish he w as .

M ost of M oses W in chest er s m in i st ry w as in N e w ’

Jersey ; bu t w e have n o part icul ars in reg ard t o it He .

died in 1 7 9 3 .

E l han an W in ches t er an d h is frien ds w h o w ere Shu t

,

ou t of t h e Bap t i st mee t in g house co n t in ued t o w orsh i p

-

in t h e ha ll of t h e Un i versit y l oca t ed on Four t h s t reet , ,

sout h of Arch i n Philadelphia for ab ou t four years I n

, ,
.

O c t ob er 1 7 84 t hey made an e ff ort t o o b t a in su bs crip

, ,

t ion s for erect in g a house of w orship The form of .

su b script io n w as forw arded t o M r M urray for h i s crit i .

cis m an d u n der da t e of O c t 2 1 1 7 84 M r M urr ay e n

,
.
, ,
.

cl oses h i s an s w er in a l e tt er t o a frien d w it h a request ,

t ha t i t be han ded t o M r Win ches te r an d t hat M r .

,
.

M urray s fr i en ds w ill accordin g t o t heir abil it y l en d

’ “
,

h im a hel p in g han d To M r Win ches t er he sai d

. .

I t rust your e n deavors t o erect a con ven ie n t buildin g

for t h e w orship of t h e t rue God w ill be cro w n ed w it h
success E very g e n uin e believe r w ill ackn o w le d g e t h e
.

t ru e God t o be t h e on l y w i s e God a n d ou r S a vi ou r t h e ,

S aviour of all me n .
2 54 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

The quot at io n fro m t h e in t roduct io n w it h w hich y ou

have favored m e correspo n ds exact ly w it h my w ishes ;
,

y e t as t h e re have bee n so m an y i n st an ces of reli g ious

,

fraud pract ised upo n S i milar occasion s I doubt n ot you ,

w ill r e adily ag ree t o a n y plan s proposed by liberal m i n ds ,

calculat ed t o preven t an y t h in g of t his ki n d w hich m a y

arise fro m t h e zeal of Pharisaical leave n fer m e n t in g ,

i n t h e m i n ds of fut ure bi g ot s You are w ell e n ou g h

.

acqu ain t ed w it h t h e n at ure of man eve n i n his best ,

est at e t o kn o w t hat privile g es of t his descri pt io n can n o t

,

be t oo caut iously g uarded Would it n ot be w ell t here

.
,

fore — I avail m ys e lf of t h e privile g e t o w hich frie n d

,

ship e n t it les m e w ould i t n ot be w ell t o sub m i t your

,

plan t o t h e co n siderat io n of judicious in dividuals n ot

i mm e diat ely co n n ect ed w it h you ? Possibly so m e sal u
t ary re g ulat io n s m i g h t be t hus su gg es t ed I n t h e m ult i .

t u de of cou n sel t h ere is s e cu r i ty ; a n d I am persuaded so

g e n erous a procedure w ould m e e t a just re w ard N ay .

,

such are my se n t i m e n t s of y ou t hat I a m co n fi de n t w ere ,

you able t o b uild a house yourself you w ould w ish t o ,

keep it like t h e heave n t o w h ich our g ospel leads — per

p e t u al l y ope n If you proceed upo n t h e liberal pri n ci pl e s
.

w hich you co n t e m pl at e m y e fi or t s t o perfect y our plan

,

shall n ot be w an t in g I have already addressed man y of

.

my frie n ds upo n t h e s u bj ec t ” 1 .

The in t roduc t i on a b ove referred

“
to M r . M urray
com m u n icat es t o N oah Parker as b e in g ,

Which house shall be cheerfully open ed upon ap p l i ,

cat io n t o a co mm it t ee t o be ch ose n ou t of t h e co n g re g at io n
a n d church t o all de n o mi n at io n s an d especially t o t hose
, ,

w h o t each t h e u n iversal love of God a n d t h e fi n al ,

”
rest i t ut io n of all t hi n g s .

The e ff ort w as n ot successfu l , an d th e proj ect of

1 L e tt e rs an d S k e t ch e s , vol . II .
pp 2 9 1 , 2 9 2
. .
 ELHANAN WI NC HES T ER .
255

obt ain in g a house of w orsh ip in t hat man n er w as

ab an do n ed The p la n w h i ch fin ally succee ded i s t hus
.

describ ed by t h e lat e Rev A C Thomas . . .

N ov . 2 4, 1 7 85 , A n t h o n y
Cut hbe rt mast m ak e r a n d ,
-
,

A braha m Collin s sail maker (t hey w ere bro t hers i n l aw )

,
- - -

i n t heir ow n n a m es bu t for t h e be h oof of t h e e xist i n g

,

org an izat io n of Un iversalist s bou ght t h e M ason s L odg e ,

’

for four t h ousan d dollars on e fou rt h cas h an d a bo n d a n d

,

m ort g a g e (D e c 1 6 1 7 85 ) for t h e r e m ai n de r ; an d J a n 1 6
.
, .
,

1 7 86 t h ey u n i t e d i n a dee d of t ru st in b e half of t h e
,

S ocie t y of U n iversal Bapt ist s w it h t his p ream ble :

‘ ’
,
‘
W h ereas t h e S ociet y of people call e d Bap t ist s k n o w n
, ,

by t h e n am e of t h e First Bapt ist Church in Ph i l a de l

phia did on or about t h e m o n t h of M arch 1 7 81 disun i t e
, , , ,

fro m t h e fello w s h i p of sai d S ocie t y d ivers of t hei r m e m

be rs w h o held a n d p rofessed a n d f or so h ol di n g an d ,

professi n g t h e doct rin e of t h e u n iversal love of God

, ,

a n d t h e fi n al res t it u t io n of all t hi n g s t hrou g h J e sus

C h rist our L ord : An d w h e r eas t h e me mbers of said ,

S ocie t y so disu n i t ed a n d div e r s ot her person s h ol di n g

,

t h e sam e doct rin e h ave u n i t e d t o g e t he r a n d form ed a

, ,

reli g ious S oci e t y called t h e S ociet y of U n iversal B a p

t ist s
,
’
etc This deed of t rust ack n ow l e d g e d t h at t h e
.

pay m en t of on e t housan d dollars h a d been de rived fro m

subscri p t io n s for a church edifice I t res e rve d t o Cu th .

b e r t an d Collin s t h e ri gh t t o dis pose of t h e p ropert y if ,

n e cessary t o in de m n ify t h e m ag ai n st t h e bo n d ae co m
,

p an yin g t h e m ort g ag e of t h ree t h o u san d dollars a n d ,

v e st e d -t h e use of t h e prem is e s i n t h e S oci e t y of U n i

v e rsal Bapt ist s t h e t rus t bei n g subject t o t h e in cu m bran ce
,
” 1
refe rred t o .

At w hat t i me t h e S oc ie t y of Un iversal Bap t i s t s w as

org a n i zed i s n ot kn o w n . The propert y w h i ch w a s pur
1 A Ce n tu r y of Un ive rsal ism, pp 3 2 , 3 3
. .
25 6 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

chased for t hem w a s a p la in b rick b u il din g erect ed b y ,

t h e Free M aso n s in 1 7 5 4 an d S i t uat ed on L odg e A l l ey

, ,

a n arro w st reet run n in g w es t w ard fro m S econ d st ree t ,

n ort h of Waln u t I t w as dou b t l ess firs t used by t h e

.

Un i versalist s on M r W in ches t er s ret urn fro m h i s eas t

’

w ard v i sit in t h e earl y su m mer of 1 7 86 .

While t hey w ere st ill w orsh i pp in g in t h e H al l of t he

'

Un iversit y M r W in chest er prepared an d pub l ished a

.
.

hy m n b ook for t heir use A f e w of t h e hy m n s w ere

-
.

fro m his ow n pe n bu t t h e g reat er part w ere se l ec t ed

,

fro m v arious au t hors At t his t im e t hey con t in ued t o

.

ca ll t hemse l ves t h e Bap t is t Church as t h e b ook i s sa id ,

t o be Des ign ed for t h e e di ficat ion of t h e pious of al l

“

de n o m in a t io n s bu t more part icu l arly for t h e use of t h e

,

Bap ti st Chu rch in P hiladelphia .

”

O f Elha n an Win c h es t er M o rga n E d w ards says ( Bap

,

t ist s in N e w Jersey “
He is n ow in Lo n don
, ,

p r ea chi n g u p the r estor a ti on of a ll l a psed i n te l lig en ces ,

an d de fen d in g th e doc t ri n e f rom t h e pu l pi t an d t h e

press He h as publi shed a vol ume of dial ogues be

.

t w ee n a b eliever opposer of t h e doct rin e w here in

an d ,

o bj ect i o n s ar e s t at ed an d a n s w ere d He has al so pu b .

l ish e d lect ures on prophec ies n ot y e t fu lfi lled The four .

vol u m es are co m e t o America H i s exposi t i o n s o f t hese .

propheci es are cur i ous b ecause l it era l He i s al so pu b

, .

l ishin g a m o n t hl y magaz i n e an d has pu bl ished ab u n ,

dan ce of serm o n s hy m n s e t c , I t i s sa i d of J oseph

, . .

Scalig er t hat he rememb ered a ll he read

, M r Win . .

chest er s m emory approaches t o w ards h i s Had t h i s

’
.

surpri s in g m an s in dust ry b ee n e qual t o h i s re t en t i o n

'

he w ou l d n ow ran k w it h t h e mos t k n ow in g o n es of t h e
a e ; as it i s he has ac q u i red k n o w l ed e of t h e l ear n ed
g , g
 ELHANAN WI NC HEST ER . 25 7

l an gu ages He made h i msel f very popu lar in t he

.
,

preach in g w ay t h i s S ide t h e At la n t i c ; w h i ch
,
pop u
l ari t y reached En g la n d as early as 1 7 81 ; f or in t he
min u t es o f t h e Assoc iat ion held a t Bri st o l that year
are t h e se w ords Brot her Win chest er is n ow o w n ed
o f God in a su r prisin g m an n er I n t hree mo n t hs he .

bapt ized t w o hun dred an d t hi rt y n in e at Peedee in -

S out h Caro lin a A remarkable w ork is b eg un at N e w

.

t ow n Brooklin e e t c by mea n s of Bro t her W i n ches te r

, , .
,

an d w hat makes i t m ore as t o n ish in

g is t ha t Brook lin e ,

is t he pl ace o f his n at ivit y e t c He i s n e w popu l ar in ,

’
.

Europe an d h is or ig in a l it ies w ill make him popul ar

,

every w here ( pp 1 3 9
”
.
,

Re t urn in g f or a mo m e n t t o t h e da t e o f t he Assoc iat i on

at O xfor d w e cl ose t h is chap t er w i t h a b rief men t io n of
,

t he preachers of U n iversalism k n o w n t o h av e b ee n in
ac t i ve servi ce at t ha t t ime I n addit io n t o M essrs . .

De B e n n e v il l e W righ t Rich Park e r a n d Adams

, , , ,

St ree t er me n t i on e d i n a previous c h ap te r a n d M r
, , .

M urray an d t h e t w o W in ches t ers t here w ere t he fol ,

l ow i n g : C l emen t Sumn er of S w an zey N H o f w hom , , .

l itt l e i s kn o w n except t hat he w as a g raduat e of Yal e

.

Colleg e in 1 7 5 8 an d fro m t hat t ime t ill 1 7 7 5 a Co n g re

,

gat ion al ist preacher w hen he b ecame a Un iversalist

,
.

Litt l e i s k n o w n of hi s sub se q uen t career excep t t hat ,

he preached as opport u n it y w a s g i ven a n d t hat he died ,

in 1 7 9 5 .

Thomas Barn s ( w e foll o w h is ow n spellin g ) b orn i n ,

M err im ac N H O ct 4 1 7 49 b ecame i n early life a

,
. .
, , ,

Bapt i s t ; bu t u n der t h e preach in g of Rev Cal e b Rich

,
.
,

emb raced Un iversal ism i n 1 7 82 a n d soo n a ft er b egan ,

t o preach I n 1 7 8 5 he w as li v in g in J e ff rey N H
. , .

V O L. I . 17
25 8 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

an d preach in g in t hat regi on The fo ll ow in g year h e .

removed t o N e w Fa n e V t We S hall have more t o say ,

.

of h i m hereafte r Three of h i s daug hte rs d is t i n g ui shed

.

t he m sel ves b y t he i r i n t el lig e n t zea l for t h e spread of

U n i versali sm Lucy t h e o l des t pu bli shed a series
.
, ,

of “ Serious an d I m po rt an t Q uest i on s a n sw ered from

t h e Hol y S cri pt ures w h i ch passed t hrou g h severa l
”
,

ed it i o n s Sh e d ied in 1 80 9 at t h e early age of t w e n t y

.
,

n in e years S oo n aft er her dea t h severa l of her l e tt ers

.
, ,

essays an d poems w ere coll ect ed an d publ ished in a

, ,

pamph let of seve n t y on e pag es e n t it led The Femal e

“ -
,

C hris t i an E xt rac t s from it w ill b e fou n d in

. Ou r “

Woman Workers by E R Han so n pag es 1 2—14 Levisa ,

. .
, .

w as assoc i at ed w it h t h e Rev G eorg e Ba t es in compili n

g .

a memoir of her fa t her Sally an o t her daug ht er w as .

, ,

a w o m an of remarkab l e me n t a l q ual it ies i mpressi n g ,

every on e w it h t h e cl earn ess an d pow er of her m i n d 1 .

Zepha n i ah Lat he of Graft on M ass u n it ed w it h t h e

, , .
,

Bapt i st church in t hat t o w n u n der th e m in i st ry of ,

E lha n a n W in chest er in 1 7 7 2 He b ecam e a U n iver

, .

sal ist a n d b eg an t o preach ear l y in 1 7 85 .

N oah M urray b orn in Lit ch fie l d Cou n t y Con n in

, , ,

1 7 4 5 served i n t h e army durin g t h e Revo lu t i o n an d at

, ,

it s c l ose b eca m e a Bap t i st preacher i n La n es b oro M ass , .

I n 1 7 84 he b ecame a Un i versa li s t a n d at t h e t i me of ,

t h e mee t in g of t h e Assoc i a t i o n w as preach in g in Berk

shir e Cou n t y M ass The l at e 0 0 1 J oseph Kin g s b ury
, . .
,

of Sheshe q u in Pe n n w h o w as in t i mat e w it h M r
, , .

M u rray man y years says ,

N oah M urray re m oved fro m Hin sdale Berkshire ,

Co ,
. M ass t o S ha w n e e L uzern e C o Pe n n i n 1 7 85
.
, He , .
, .
, .

1 S e e Ou r Woman Worke rs , pp 1 1 2 4
.
-
.
 DAVI D E VANS . 25 9

h ad comme n ced preach in g t h e g ospel before he came t o

t h i s cou n t ry He preached occasion ally at S haw n ee bu t
.
,

I n ever heard t hat be form ed a socie t y of U n iversali st s

i n t hat pl ac e I n t h e S pri n g of t h e year 1 7 87 he left
.

S haw n ee w it h his fa mily an d cam e up t h e river a s far as ,

Q ueen E st her s Flat s an d t ook possessio n of a s mall l og

’
,

cabi n so m e on e h a d erect ed a n d left He farm e d it upo n .

t hese fl at s t ill 1 7 9 0 w hen he re m oved t o a l ot on t h e

,

fl at s n early opposit e t h e villag e of At he n s w hich l ot or ,

far m is n ow o w n ed an d occu p ied by on e Of his g ran dso n s .

Bro t her M urray w a s n ot idle in pro mot in g a k n ow ledg e

of t h e g ospel in t his quart er preachi n g S un days as oft e n ,

as an Opp ortu n it y prese n t ed an d by social co n verse t each ,

in g t h e blin d t h e w ay t hey should g o He had a good .

’

sized hew n l og schoolhouse t o preach in at S heshequin

-
.

At t h e Poin t (At h en s) he preached at firs t in t h e lar g e s t ,

”
h ouse t hat could be procured .

Dav i d Evan s b orn in 1 7 3 8 w as a res i den t o f N e w

, ,

Brit a in Bucks Cou n t y Pen n sy l van ia w here he w as for

, , ,

man y years a deacon of t h e Bap tist Church At w hat .

t ime he b ecame a U n i versa li s t i s n ot kn o w n ; bu t in

N ove m ber 1 7 85 he publi shed a sermon on Ge n eral
“
, ,

E lec t i on ; or Sa lva t i on f or Al l M e n ill us t rat ed an d

,

proved w h i ch he had preached at t h e M ee t in g o f

,
“

t h e Uni t ed Bre t hren in N e w Br it ai n He w a s a man .

of more t han ord in ary abilit i es an d pu bli shed several ,

pamph let s in defen ce o f Un iversali sm as advocat ed by

Re lly an d M urray The serm o n on Gen era l Elect io n .

w as read b y M r M urray t o h i s Gl ouces t er aud i en ce

.

Au g 2 5 1 7 86 as appears from t h e fo ll o w in g ext rac t

.
, ,

from a let t er wr it t en b y M r M u rray t h e n ext day t o a .

Phil adel ph i a fri e n d

“ Yes erday m
t hearers had t h e pleasure of a tt e n di n g
y ,

in t h e aft ern oon , on M r David E van s s prov in g t h e U n i

’
.
2 60 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

v e rsal itof E l ect i on Thus you see, I ha ve preferred

y .
,

hi m t o your poor servan t I in t e n d t o ge t i t reprin t ed .

i n Boston an d disperse t he m about as far as possible

, .

H ow g lad I should have bee n if t h i s ser mo n h ad b ee n t h e

product of Elh an an s p e n ; bu t God w ill se n d by w ho m
’

he w ill se n d Whe n you see my brot her E van s, gi ve my

.

love t o him ” .

A mon t h l at er wr it in g from Bost o n , to the same

frie n d M r M urray says
, .

Ou r fri en ds here have fro m t h e sermon w e have see n , ,

con ceived a very hi g h opin ion of M r E van s an d w ould .

,

be exceedin g g l ad t o see h im t his w ay Pray is t hat .

,

g en t l e man fixed a n y w here Has be w h at t hey call pul

p it t al en t s We have n ow our m eet in g house in Bost o n -

very el egan t ly fit t ed up an d t here is, w he n t hey ha ve a ,

preacher a very larg e a n d very at t e n t ive co n gr e g at io n

, .

If M r E van s is n ot already e n g ag ed he w ould fin d a n

.
,

ope n door i n t his place an d a heart y w elco me They , .

be g m e t o in for m him t hat a visit at leas t w oul d be ve ry , ,

t han kfully received I w rit e you my fr ie n d, for t hi s

.
,

purpose beg gin g y ou w ould co n vey t h e re quest as soon

,

as poss ib le .

A mon t h la t er he i
w r t es

I am excee din g sorry t o hear of M r. E van s ’

s in abil i t y
”
t o co me .

In all , preachers o f Un iver

t he n , t here w ere t h irt ee n
s al ism in Ameri ca in 1 7 8 5 bu t it i s n ot t o b e supposed
t hat t hey w ere a ll st a t ed l y emp l oyed ; n or i s i t pro b a bl e
t ha t i n ma n y cases t hey w ere a w are o f t h e exist en ce an d
w ork o f e ach o t her .

Rev John Ty l er Rect or o f t h e Ep is copa l Chu rch in

.
,

N orw ich C t has already be en men t i on ed as be in g in

, .
,

sympat hy w it h M r M urray s vi e w s an d as havin g o cca

’
.
,
 G AM A LI EL RE YNOLDS .
261

si on a l l y preached for h im in G l ouces t er a n d e l se w here ; ,

bu t he g ave n o prom in e n ce t o t h i s doct rin e in hi s reg u

l ar m in i st ry n or did he care t o at t ach h i s n a m e t o t h e
,

w ork w h i ch he w r o t e i n i t s i ll us t ra t i on an d defen ce .

There w ere t w o layme n how ever in Norw ich w h o , , ,

pub licly advocat ed U n iv ersa l ism Da n iel Ha ll a very .

,

w ort hy a n d de v ou t m an a t t emp t ed t o preach bu t soo n ,

re li n qu i shed t he eff ort as his success w as n ot equal t o

,

h i s des ires Su b se que n t ly he b ec ame a preac her a m on g

.

t h e Con g rega t io n a l is t s Ga aliel Rey n olds a m aso n

m .
“
,

b y t rade bu t a m a n of st ron g t houg h u n cul t iva t ed

, , ,

m in d b ecam e a preacher a m on g t h e Separat i s t s

,

abou t t h e year 1 7 40 For “ fift een or t w en t y years .

b efore h i s dea t h w hi ch occur red in 1 80 5 he w as a

, ,

preacher of Un iversa li sm bu t st ill a t t en din g t o h is ,

secu lar b us in ess 1 He seems t o have b een a Re llya n

.
,

bu t in M r M urray s est im at i on t o have had a super

’
.
, ,

fic ial an d som ew ha t erro n eous V ie w of t hat t heory .

A m on g t h e un publi shed l e t t ers of M r M urray i s on e .

addressed t o M r Rey n olds N C V 2 2 . I n it M r .

, .

M u r ray says :

I have been i n form ed t hat you have m ade so m e very

capit al m ist akes i n han dlin g t h e Word of L ife t hat you
have applied t o our S aviour w h at t h e Holy Ghost applie d
t o t h e Gran d A dversary — as i n t h e case O f t h e m a n w h o
,

had n ot on t h e w eddi n g g arme n t an d t h e scape g oat e t c ,

-
,
.

N ow m y very dea r frien d as you ca n have n o i n t e re s t i n

, ,

propag at i n g such ve ry capit al m is t akes I e n coura g e h ope ,

t h at you w ill i n fut ure re n de r t o C ae sar t h e t h i n g s t ha t

are C aesar s a n d un t o God t h e t hin g s w hich are God s
’
,
’
.

L e t us I e n t reat you be w a r e of m aki n g use of an y fi g ure

, ,

1F or f u r t h e r p a rt icul ar s of his lif e a n d l abor s, se e A Hist or ical

k
S e t c h of U n i ve rsal ism in N or w ic h , C on n B y Re v R 0 Will ia ms . . . . .
2 62 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

t o po in t ou t our S av i our t h at is n ot con sis te n t w thi his

”
ch a r a cte r .

Mr .Rey n o l ds had al so i t w o u ld seem pushed some

, ,

o f M r Re lly s n ot i on s t o dec idedly An t in omian c on

.
’

el us io n s M r M urra y afte r rem in din g him t hat he

. .
,

had b een an in s t rumen t in t h e han d of God o f b rin g, ,

in g h i m t o an ac qu a in t an ce w it h some t rut h w h i ch he
had n ot k n ow n b e fore des ires t o b e con s idere d b y h i m
,

as be in g in t h e w ay o f dut y in fa it hfu l ly admon is hin g

him ag a in s t t h e i n fl u en ce of t hi s pern i cious error

I ha ve n ever heard you say mu ch in publ ic an d ,

t ho u gh your fri e n ds have t old me of m an y very g reat

m is t akes you ha ve made i n han dl i n g t h e Word of L ife ,

y e t , w he n e ver I have had t h e O pport un it y of speakin g i n

your co mpan y y our cordial a ssen t to everyt hin g I a d
,

v an ce d m ade m e at a l oss h ow t o de t er m in e on w hat I

,

heard I have t herefore, o n ly n ow t o g ive y ou t h e w ord

.
,

of coun sel as a brot her an d a real frie n d t hat you w ould ,

m ake t h e S cript u r es your r ule by w hich you w ill det e r

m in e t o w alk in your public as I am persuad ed y ou have ,

e ver do n e i n your privat e charact er L e t i t be on e part

,
.

of your st udy t o m ake your hearers sen sible t hat t hey

have, by t ran sgres s i on forfeit ed t heir l ife ; sh ow t he m
,

t hat t h e w ag es of si n is t h e deat h of t h e sou l ; show

t he m t hat i n con seque n ce of t h e S aviour s deat h w h o
’
, ,

g ave h i m self a ran so m for all t h e g i ft of God is e v e rl ast

,

i n g life t hrou gh Jesus Chris t our L ord as on t h e bel i ef ,

of t hi s t rut h depen ds our act ual en j oy me n t as t ill t his , ,

is believe d i n t h e heart t he r e can be n eit her pe ac e n or

,

joy as com in g from t h e S pirit of God a n d t herefore of ,

e n durin g n at u re E n deavor by every part of Divin e

.
,

Reve lat i o n t h at t en ds t o il lust rat e t h i s g ran d t rut h, t o

po in t it ou t The n , havin g proved t hat your hearers are
.

all bou ght w it h a price, m ake t he m as far as you are ,

 C AM ALI EI . RE YNOLDS . 263

abl e se n sible t h at t hey are n ot t heir ow n ; t hat t h e y

,

belo n g t o H im w ho pai d so dear a price for t heir r e de m p

t io n ; t h at if t hey belo n g t o h i m he is e n t i t led t o t heir ,

service ; an d t hat i n S erv in g h i m w hose service aft er , ,

all is per fect freedo m t here is g reat re w ard If you

, , .

fin d yo u r hearers w illin g t o h ear t h e voice of our divin e

M as t er you w ill fin d t he m t herefore aski n g Wh at w ill
, , , ,

my g racious M ast er have m e t o do You w ill t he n ,

if you yourself are un der t h e i n fl u e n ce of t h e S piri t of

T r ut h le ad t hem t o t h e foun t ai n head of divi n e in form a
,
-

t ion . You w i ll po i n t t o t h e p lace an d say Thus sait h , ,

t h e L ord If t here shou ld be so m e w h ose l azy i n dolen t

’
.
,

souls w ould st rive t o t ake she lt er un der a perversio n of

t h e t rut h by affir m i n g t hat Jesus Chr ist havi n g fin ish e d
, ,

t h e w ork w hich w as g ive n h i m t o do left n o t hi n g for ,

t he m t o do you w ill t he n i n form t he m t hat t hou g h he

, ,

fi n ished t h e w ork w hich w as g ive n hi m t o do as a S a vi ou r , ,

he did n ot fin ish t h e w or k t hat is g ive n his p e op l e to do ,

as t h e s a ved If t hey shou l d de n y t his you w ill t he n

.
,

h ave recourse t o t h e t est im o n y of ou r blesse d M ast er

him self a n d his A post les If t hey w ill n ot w alk by t h is
,
.

rule from such you w ill t urn aw ay L e t me e n t reat you

,
.

t o en d eavor t o in s t i l in t o t h e m in ds of all w h o h ear you

t hat t h e rev e lat io n w hic h r espec t s t h e con duct of t h e
sav e d is as aut he n t ic as t hat w hich respect s t h e co n duct
of t h e S aviour .

B u t you w ill say perhaps H ow is t his follo w i n g t h e

, ,

exa m ple of t h e Apost le w h o det erm i n ed t o k n o w n o t hi n g

,

am o n g s t t h e Corin t hian s bu t C h rist an d him crucified ,

As a pre acher of God s salvat io n he n ever did B u t in

’
, .

t h e fift ee n t h of t his first e p is t le t o t his people did he ,

deviat e fro m t his rule A ccord in g t o som e he did ; bu t ,

t he y are m is t ake n He did n ot ; be resolved t o kn o w

.

n o t hi n g bu t Chris t an d h i m crucified as t h e m at t er of
, ,

our salvat ion of all me n s salvat io n i n t h e S aviou r ; bu t

,
’

he ai m ed at makin g t hese sam e Corin t hia n s s e n si bl e in ,

2 64 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

fift ee n t h chapt er t hat in order t o

'

th e seco n d verse of the , ,

be s a ve d in th e ms e l ve s t hey m ust k eep in m e mor y w hat he,

had p r e a ch ed u n to t he m The t rut h is t h e re is on e salva .

,

t io n w hich w as be g un an d co m plet e d by C h ris t as cruci ,

fie d .
This is t h e salvat io n t h at in t h e w ord of t h e ,

ospel is preached u n t o all u n believers by t h e fai t hf u l

g , ,

servan t s of C h rist Jesus ; th at heari n g t h ey m ay believe ,

an d beli e vi n g co n s e que n t t hereo n be m ade p a rt akers of

, ,

t h at salvat io n t hat t h e A post le here S peaks of a n d w hich ,

salvat io n you may lose by losin g t h e re m e m bran ce of

w hat w as before preached I w ish you t h e n m y bro t her .
, , ,

t o be a fellow helper w it h m e -
Preach t h e w ord a n d .
,

cl e a r l y fro m a full co n vict io n t hat n o on e w ill ev e r e n t e r

,

i n t o rest t ill t hey believe it an d t hat self salvat io n de ,

-

pen ds ou t hei r co n t i n uin g t o hold f ast t h e profession of

t heir fait h w it hout w averi n g
,
S ho w t hem t hat i n l if e .
,

a n d i n de a t h n o t h i n g c an g ive p e a ce b
,
ut be l i e vi n g an d ,

t h a t w it h t h e h e a r t S h o w t he m t h at i n co n seque n ce of ,

u n belief m ult it udes of t h e purchased in herit an ce are

,

m iser able i n l if e i n de a th a n d i n t h e r e su rr e ct i on
, Le t , .

t he m hear t h e voice of our u n erri n g Teacher w h o assure s ,

us t hat if t hey die i n t heir S i n s w here he is t hey can n o t

, ,

co m e ; Sho w t he m t hat if t hey die i n u n be l i ef ; t hey die ,

in t heir S i n s a n d t herefore w here he is t hey can n o t

, , ,

co m e for w here he is is fuln ess of j oy If t hey Should

, , .

quibble w it h you a n d i n sist on it t hat as God he m ust

, , ,

be every w h ere t ell t he m if you t hin k such t rifl e r s

.
,

are w ort h your n o t ice t hat s ta t e an d p l a ce are n ot ,

sy n on y m ous .

“
There are man y w h o call t he m selves believers of t h e
t ru t h w h o are as m uch e n g ag ed i n doin g t h e w ork of our
,

Gran d A dversary i n w eake n i n g t h e force of t h e t es t i

,

m o n y of God by ei t her leavi n g ou t of t heir creeds a g reat

,

part t hereof or explai n i n g it aw ay — as an y of I t s m ost

, ,

virule n t opposers Whe n I hear w hat such an d such .

preach in t h e charact er of U n iversalist s, I a m shocked I

, ,
 G AM ALI EL REY NO LDS . 26 5

fri g ht en ed N ot hi n g can be more an t i S cript ural

.
-
.

S uch doct ri n es deserv e all t ha t t h e e n e my h as sai d of

t h e m a n d w h e n 1 follo w i n g t h e lead of divin e revelat io n
, ,

a m ob lig ed t o de clar e t h e co n t rar y on a supposit io n t hat I ,

m ust h av e t au g ht w hat t h ese w h o profess t o be w i t h m e

pre ach i t is d e clared t hat I have ch an g e d my p r i n ci
,

p les . H ow pai n ful t he n m us t be m y feeli n g s w h e n

, ,

I fin d s o m a n y t eac h i n g t hat Jesus havi n g do n e all t h ere , ,

r e m ai n s n o t h i n
g f or us t o do ; a n d if t h e r e w as i t is of ,

n o g reat co n seque n ce for w e S hall all be h a

ppy i n deat h ;
,

so w e have n ot h i n g m ore t o do t h an t o e at dri n k a n d be , ,

m erry for t o m orro w w e die ; t h at t h e judg m e n t is pas t

,
-

already an d e v e ry t hin g of t h at n at ure t e st ified t o i n t h e

, ,

S cript ures is n ot t o be u n de rs t oo d as i t is exp r e ssed ;

,

t hat as for t h e t eachin g of t h e A p ost les i t is n ot h i n g t o

, ,

us n o fart h er t han i t co n sist s w i t h our co n ve n ie n ce t hat

,

w e have n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h an y t h i n g i n t h e S cri p t ure if

i t m e a n s an y t h i n g else t h an w h at respec t s Jesus C h rist

as ou r S aviour H ow very pain ful must it be t o m e t o
.

hear t hat t h e fri e n d I a m w ri t i n g t o should in w hole or , ,

i n p art be lea ve n ed w i t h t h is leave n

, You are I am .
,

persuaded a n ho n es t m an ; you w ill g ive I t rust du e a t

, , ,

t e n t ion t o w h at I have w ri t t e n a n d do m e t h e just ice t o ,

believe t hat I a m w it h re al si n ce re aff ect io n your frie n d

, ,

an d bro t her i n our S aviour .

S ub se q ue n t ly Rey n o l ds v i s it ed Bos t on an d
, Mr .
,

o fficiat ed in M r M urray s pu l pit The lat t er refers ’

. .

t o h im an d his preachi n g in a n a ff ec t i o n a t e an d appr e

, ,

c ia t i v e ma n n er i n h is Le tt ers an d S ke t ches vo l I I
, ,
. .

p 345
. .

S h ipp ie To w n se n d a bl ock m aker in Bos t on w as for

,
-
, ,

severa l years a San deman ia n He w as a m a n of fair .

educat i o n an d a t erse w rit er Aft er b eco min g a U n i

,
.

ve r s al is t pro b a bly a b ou t 1 7 8 2 he occas i o n a ll y preached

, ,
2 66 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

in Bost o n an d Gl oucest er He w as a Re llyan an d w as

.
,

pro b abl y t he firs t l ayman t o w i e l d t he pe n in expos it i o n

an d defe n ce o f U n i versa li s m i n Ne w En l a n d From
g
1 7 85 t o 1 7 93 he pu bl ish e d te n or more pamphlet s
. ,

w hi ch in 1 7 94 he ga t hered in t o a vol ume o f t hree h u n

, ,

dred an d seven t y s i x pages u n der th e t i t l e o f Gospe l

-
,

”
N ew s . He di ed at an advan ced age in 1 80 0
,
.
 C H AP T E R IV .

1 7 87 —1 7 9 0 .

M R . M Y S A R RAN G E M E N T F O R P RE AC H I N G I N B O S TO N RE V JO H N
U RRA
’
. .

S M A L LE Y s PA M P H L E T S A GA I N S T U N I V E R S AL I S M
‘
T H E SESS I O N O F .

T H E AS S O C I A TI O N I N 1 7 87 P R O B A B L Y I T S LA S T S E SSI O N — M E WI N , . .

C H E S T E R G O ES T o EN G L AN D — M E M U R RA Y V I S I T S P H I L A D EL P H I A . . .

FA V O R A B L E R E C E PT I O N O F U N I V E RS A L I S M I N N E W Y O RK RE V RO B . .

E RT AN N A N S P A M P H L E T A G A I N S T U N I V E RS A L I S M WI LL I A M PI TT
’
-
.

S M I T H M D PU B LI S H E S “ T H E U N I V E RS A L I S T
, . .
, S I{ E T C H O F D H .
” -

S M I T H S LI F E M R M U RR A Y A T P O R T SM O U TH N H
’
. .J O N A T H AN ,
. .

M I T C H E L L S E W A LL S U PP L I E S T H E P U L PI T A T PO R T S M O U T H HI S .

FA M E A S A P O E T M R M URRA Y S E S TI M A T E O F N O A H PA RKE R.
-
.
'
.

C O N F E S S E S T HA T RE V JO H N T Y LE R A N D H I M S E L F A RE T H E N L Y . O

PRE A C H E RS U N I TE D I N SE N T I M E N T —T H E RE LL YA N I S M O F RE V DA . .

V I D E VA N S RE LL Y A N I S M N O T A C C E P TA B L E T o T H E PE O PL E
. .

M R M U RRAY A G A I N I N LE GA L T ROU B L E O N A C C O U N T O F P E R F O R M I N G
.

M A R RI A G
C E R E M O N I E S — H E S A I LS F O R E N L AN D — H I S
E R E AC H . G . P
I NG T
H E R E — RE L I E S OU H AN D O
. AI N E D F O R H I M F
RO M T H E G T BT F
TT
M A S S A C H US E T T
S L E I S L A U RE — H I S R E U R N F G G
R O M E N L AN D , A N D .

T P T V
H I S RE-O RD I N A I O N — H E I S I M O R U N E D T o M O E T O PH I L AD E L.

P T T
H I A — HI S S A E M E N
. T B P
O F T H E LA O R I M O S E D O N H I M — RE V . .

D M L
U NC A N R A T S G V
C ME AN G E W . EV ; R IS EA RA E . OR AN D A RD S
ON M S G V —R G G R
R . EA — R
RA D V
E. B EV . EO R E I C H A RD S . EV . A ID AL

LO U ST P T . T W EC V T S P AR E N P O A RD S A ON EN I ON IN H I LA D E L H IA .

C V T ON EN 1 7 90 A T
I ON F TH E LD P I N . R I C LE S OF AI H AN D LA N OF

C G V
H U RC H T PT OC P T E RN M E N C AD O ED . OM O SI I ON OF THE O NV E N
TION — T T T
. B HE A T F
RI NI _RA R I AN I AS O F T H E R I C LE S OF AI T H . EV .

E P
LI H U — J F T A L M E R. P P D T OHN I C H , AN D THE H I L AD E L HI A EI S S

OB T o
J EC A T I ON TF T B T M
THE M YR I C LE S O F AI H, I N OS ON . R . U RRA A

S B A SP
EL L I A N . U V G B PT T
RE A D OF NI E RS A L I S M AM ON T HE A IS S

R N EV . C R W
I C H O L AS W T — R W ox E. EV . I LLI AM OR H . EN E AL O F F

F T o S TT M M
OR S T Y PE P LEH C P R . U R RA IN H I L AD E L H I A . IS OM E N SA

T N W E G
I ON IN D B E R MN M Y
LA N D .
-
R . E NJ A M I N US H . R . U R RA
’
S

L TT E — B ER H . S W T
A C H E LO R S TT K '
AL L .
-
AM UEL E HE RI L L S
’
A AC ON

R Y E LL M M AN I S M Y N W Y .K W T P R. T U RR A IN E OR , AN D I H RE S I D E N

W GT — T A
A S HI N ON P . T HER P Y D D RE S S To T HE RE S I D E N , AN D HI S E L .

W E G Y M M Y E T T R P ’
- I
I LL I A M U E NE M LA . R . U RRA S N H US I AS IC ECE

T C
ION T T—H IN ON N E C E I CU P G . IS A L A RM AT T HE R RO R S C RE E IN IN

AM O NGU V T R NI G Y M M
E RS AL I S Y B S . I C H ARD R I D LE . R . U R RA UNA LE

T oM V P O P E To F T L G TR B
H I L AD E L I HI A . UR H ER E AL OU LE S . NCOR

P CH
O RAT I O N O F T H E G T U R C H AT LOUC E S E R.

N con sequen ce of th e deat h of Rev Adams St ree t er .

,

w h o had for severa l years preached o n ce a mo n t h in

26 8 UN I V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Bos t on t h e Commi tt ee of t h e Soc iet y w ro t e t o t h e

,

G l oucest er fri en ds un der dat e o f Dec 8 1 7 86 ask in g

, .
, ,

th e con se n t o f t h e la t ter t hat M r M urray v i si t t hem .

every t hi rd S un day un t il He w h o rece i ved g ift s for ,

me n even for t h e reb e lli ous i s p leas ed t o b est o w on e

, ,

u po n us w he n perhaps b y t he ir chan g in g n e it her of us

, , ,

may b e l e ft dest it u te The re quest w as g ran t ed an d ”

.
,

t h e arran g eme n t t hus made co n t in u ed u n t i l Ja n uary ,

1 7 88 w he n M r M u rray w a s i n duced t o d iv i de h is t im e
,
.

an d serv i ces e qu a ll y b e t w een t h e t w o p l aces reserv in g ,

t o hi mse l f as b e f ore th e pri v il eg e o f t emporar y a b sen ce

, ,

each yea r for t he p u rpose o f it in eran t lab ors in several

l ocal it ies .

C o n n ect icu t seemed t o f urn is h h im a favora bl e fie l d ,

an d i n con se q uen ce Rev J ohn S ma ll ey o f Berl in made , .

, ,

an att ack on Un i versali sm in t w o pu bli shed serm o n s , ,

on e i n 1 7 85 an d t h e o t her i n 1 7 86
, Rev J ohn Ty l er . .

en courag ed M r M urray in h is w ork if he di d n ot open l y

.
,

c o operat e w i th h i m
-
Writ in g to h im in S ept e m b er .
,

1 7 86 he says ,

There is n ow w it h us a M r N oah M urray a pre a cher .

,

of Jesus C hr i st st at edly laborin g in t h e Obl on g l a n d t h e

, ,

adjace n t part s I am exceedin g ly pleased w it h hi m an d

.
, ,

co n siderin g his advan t ag es t hi n k him a very ext raordin ary ,

”
m an .

Th e A ssoc ia t i o n vo t ed as see at O xford, in 1 7 85 , ,

preced in g chapt er t o mee t in Bos t on t h e seco n d

, ,

Wedn esda y in S ept em b er Prob ably t h e m ee t ,

in g w a s he l d bu t n o record of it s proceedin g s can b e

,

1 A n ame
g ive n t o a t ract of l an d S e v e n t t o e ig ht mil e s i n l e n gt h , y y
by tw o in y
bre adth , f orme rl be l on g in g t o Con n e ct icu t , n ow t ra n sf e rr e d
t o Ne w Y or k .
 AS S OC I AT I O N AT M I LFORD . 269

foun d n or an y men t i o n of it in t h e le tt ers of M r M u r

, .

ray an d ot hers w r itt e n duri n g t ha t mo n t h The fo l

, , .

l o w in g year on t h e t h i rd of S ept emb er th e O xford

, ,

S oci e t y chose deleg at es for t hi s societ y t o m eet at ,

M il ford at t h e An n ua l A ssoc i a t ion on Wedn esday

, ,

n ex t . Al l t h e in for m a t ion t hat has b ee n o b t ain ed in

reg ard t o a m ee t in g at t ha t t i me an d place i s from a ,

l e tt er w ritt e n b y M r M urray from N e w York N ov 1 3

.
, ,
.
,

1 7 87 t o a Ph il adel phia frie n d i n w h ich S peaki n g of

, , ,

t h e fr i e n d lin ess of t h e c l erg y in t hat c i t y t o w ards him ,

a n d h i s sen t i me n t s he says : ,

On e of t he m spen t t h e eve n in g i n my com pan y sin ce

I cam e t o t o w n a n d t hou g h I relat e d t h e st ory of t h e
, ,

Co n ve n t ion or Yearly M ee t in g at M ilfo r d t h is g e n t le

, , ,

m an n ever said on e w ord by w ay of opposit ion ; bu t

”
w arm ly ur g ed m e t o visit hi m i n a f r ie n dly w ay .

There is n o furt her men t io n o f t h i s A ssoc iat i on an y

w here an d t h e presu m p t io n i s t ha t it held n o o t her
, ,

sessio n Wha t are b e lieved t o b e su ffi cie n t reaso n s for

.

t h i s co n cl us i o n w ill b e g ive n fart her on

, .

I n Ju l y 1 7 87 M r Win ches t er s u rprised a n d s t art l ed

, , .

h is co n greg at i o n in Ph iladel ph ia b y an n ou n cin g h i s ,

in t en t ion of m akin g a n immed iat e t rip t o E n g lan d I n .

less t han fort y e ig h t hours fro m t h e a n n oun ce m e n t of

-

h is purpose he had e m b arked on a vesse l b ou n d for

,

L on do n I t is sa id t ha t he l eft his pu lp it in Phil ade l

.

phia in charg e of h i s half b ro t her M oses ; bu t of t h is -

t here is so m e dou bt At all eve n t s t h e church w a s

.
,

soo n des t it u t e of a reg ul ar min i st ry a n d a l t hou gh t here ,

w ere zea l ous l ay m en w h o w ere a b le a n d w i lli n g t o c on

duct religious serv ice on t h e Lord s Day t h e con g reg a ’

t i o n d w i n d l ed a w ay an d bu t f e w remain e d t o keep t h e
,
270 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

organ i zat i on alive A Phil ade l ph i a correspon de n t of

.

M r M urray w rot e t o h i m t ha t M r W in ches t er s course

’
.
.

“
has in a man n er d isso l ved on e of t h e m ost t hr i v in g
co n g reg at io n s in t h i s cit y .
”

To st ren gt hen an d e n courag e t h e scat t eri n g flock an d ,

part icu l arl y t o ass i st his perso n al frie n ds in keep in g up

an i n t eres t in t h e w ork M r M urr ay v i s it ed an d l a b ored
, .

in Ph ilade l ph ia in S ept em b er an d O ct ob er of t hat year .

A f e w in t h e con g reg at i on d i d n ot sympat h ize w it h M r .

M urra ys v ie w s ; bu t t h e maj orit y w ere solic it ous for

’

him t o re m ove t o Ph il ade l ph ia a n d w ere con fide n t t hat ,

ab u n da n t success w ou l d at t en d h i s l ab ors Some e n .

c ou rag e me n t w a s dou b t l ess g ive n t ha t he w ou l d accep t

t hei r ca ll . S t oppin g a t N e w Y ork on his re t urn t o ,

G l ouces t er he w rit es fro m t here t o a Ph il ade l ph ia

,

fr ie n d N ov 1 3 1 7 87
,
.
,

Before I leave t his cit y I m ust i n form you t hat our ,

frie n ds here i n crease very fast in deed Appearan ces .

here are as m uch in favor of a spread of g ospel li ght

as in your cit y ; t h e co n g re g at ion as lar g e The Cit y .

Hall is as larg e as t h e L odg e an d full as at t ract ive , .

M an y ur g e m e ve ry w armly t o abide here This m orn .

i n g I w a s w ait ed on by a n umber of g e n t le m e n w h o
, , ,

heari n g t hat I h ad it in co n t e m plat ion t o reside in Phila -

delphia proposed t hat if I w ould divide my t i m e bet w een

, ,

t his cit y an d t hat t hey w ould purchase a vacan t m eet i n g

,

house i n t his cit y for me You w ould be ast o n ish ed t o

.

see t h e spirit of i n quiry t here is i n t his place On .

t h e w hole m y frie n d our S aviour has blest my poor

, ,

labors i n t his place full as much as i n an y place I have

labo r ed in for man y years pas t bot h in public an d in ,

privat e S urely surely t his is t h e L ord s doi n g s " N o

.
, ,
’

w o n der i t is m arvellous i n ou r eyes " An d s t ill perhaps , ,

 WI LLI AM PI TT SM I T H . 27 1

our S av i our has som e t hin g s for m e t o do I see n o .

prospect of g et t in g aw ay fro m t his p lac e ; an d shall n ot ,

I suppose, t ill t h e w ork t hat G od sees fit t o do by me in ,

t h is place, a t t his t im e is acco m plished I t i s n ot for

, .

me t o di ct at e ” .

Durin g t h is year t w o pu bli cat i on s appeared

, on e in ,

Phi ladel phi a oppos in g Un iversal ism an d on e in N e w

, ,

York in it s support The form er w as w ritt en by Rev

, . .

Robert An n an a P resby t erian clerg y m an an d w as e n

, ,

t it l ed Br ie f An imadve r sio n s on t h e Doct rin e o f U n i

vers a l Sa lvat i o n ; in w h i ch it i s proved t o b e u tt erly
repugn an t t o t h e prin cipl es of m oral g overn me n t an d ,

in con sist en t w it h th e Word of God I t w as a w e ll .

wr itt en pamph l e t o f fif t y fiv e pag es

,
-
.

The w ork in advocacy of U n iversalism w as by

Will iam Pi tt Smit h M D of N e w York an d w as ,
. .
, ,

en t it l ed The Un iversali st I n Seven Let te rs t o .

Amyn t or . I t w a s a duodecim o vo l ume o f t hree h u n

dred an d fi ve pag es I t opposes t h e in fin i t y of sin ;
.

in s i st s t hat et ern a l pun i shm en t i s an i mpeachmen t o f

God s charact er ; t hat t h e doct ri n es o f t h e Un iversalist s
’

do n ot remove an y rea l mot i ves t o v irt ue bu t pre sen t ,

s u ch as are capabl e of exert in g a pow erf u l in flue n ce on

t h e m in d an d charact er M an y obj ect i on s t o Un iver.

sal is m are f u ll y st a t ed an d fa ir l y an sw ered ; an d t h e

,

b ook con cl udes w it h cop i ous ext ract s from th e w orks o f

Ramsay Chan n ey an d Win cheste r t h e o n l y w rit in gs
, , ,

on U n i versali sm w h i ch t h e au t hor had read an d w it h ,

st ri ct ures on a w ork of M r Ec k ley o f Bost on again st .

, ,

Ch au n cy s w r it in g s
’
.

I n th e fi rs t ed it i on of t h e M odern H i st ory o f U n i
ve rsal ism M r Wh it t emore sai d o f Dr S mit h
,
-
. .
272 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

He a st uden t of ph y s io u n der Dr Joseph Y o u n g

w as .
,

an d w a s att ached t o t h e Ge n eral Hosp i t al Depar t m e n t of

t h e Army of t h e U n i t e d S t at es duri n g t h e Revolut ion ary

War in w hich h e serve d a s surg eo n s mat e, u n der his
,
’

precept or D r You n g He a ft erw ards part icipat ed, as a

, . .
.

part n er of D r Youn g i n an ext e n s ive medical pract ice

.
,

i n t h e ci t y of N e w York His profession al t alen t s hi s

.
ll
,

lit erary acqui rem en t s his ch aract er for ho n or, hon est y
, ,

an d philan t hropy w ere S O ext e n sively k n o w n a ck n ow l

, ,

edg ed, an d approved t hat he became very p op u l ar an d

'

, ,

g ain ed a polit ical in fl ue n ce w hich he w as ambit ion s t o

use for t h e be n evolen t pu rpose of am eliorat in g t h e c on
dit io n of t h e hum an spe cies He w as elect ed a m e mbe r .

of t h e L e gi slat ure for t h e year 1 7 96 a n d w a s a st re n u ,

ous advoc at e of t h e bil l providi n g for t h e ab olit io n of

slavery His un re m it t in g zeal a n d un t ir in g exert io n s
.

for t h e att ai n m e n t Of t hat philan t hropic obj ect w ere

re garded as pro mi n en t am o n g t h e causes w hich produced
h is deat h An x i ous t o fulfil all t h e dut ies w hich had
.

devolve d on h i m o n t he m orn in g of t h e day on w hich

, .

t h e bill above me n t io n ed w as t o be discussed in t h e

A sse mbly w hich w as sit t in g i n t h e cit y of N e w York
, ,

he rose very early w it h a vie w t o visit all hi s pat i en t s

,

in t i m e t o e n able h i m t o t ake an ac t ive part in t h e de b at e

on t ha t i mport an t an d i n t erest i n g ques t io n He spar ed .

him self n o t i me t o breakfas t or din e The day w as w e t .

,

cold an d st ormy Dren ched t o t h e skin he t ook h i s seat

, .
,

in t h e house, an d sat al l day in his w e t clot hes w as t ake n ,

s ick even b efore he co n clu ded h is S peech an d aft er a f e w , ,

days’ severe in disposit ion died i n Februar y, 1 7 96 at t h e , ,

”
ag e of t hirt y S i x years (pp 3 81
- .
,

M r M urray ret urn ed t o G l ouces t er early in D ece mb er

.
.

Dr . J W
. F ra n cis , i n h is Ol d N e w Y or , sa s t h at D r Smit h
. k y .

w as al so Prof e ssor of M at e ria M e dica in C ol u mbia Coll e g e , ” in th at

c it y .
 J ONAT HAN M I T C HELL SEWA LL . 273

O n t h e l 6 th of t ha t mon t h he ,
i
w r t es t o a frie n d in
Ph il ade l phia
“
I w a s bu t on e S un day a t h o m e before I s e t ou t for
Port sm out h w here form e rly d w elt m y g reat ly valued
,

frien d an d fello w laborer M r Parker God i n h i s

-
, . .
,

providen ce has raised u p a man t o supply his place

, ,

w ho m I S hould have least expect ed ; bu t God s w ays are

’

n ot our w ays n or his t hou gh t s as our t hou g ht s

,
He .

w ill sen d by w h om he w ill se n d an d he does all t hi n g s ,

w ell The g en t le m an t hat n ow preaches i n M r Parke r s ’

. .

m eet in g is a M r S e w all a n e m i n e n t la w yer an d a very

.
, ,

di s t in g u ished poe t ; bu t his soul is i n love w it h divi n e

t rut h a n d he says it is his m eat a n d dri n k t o do t h e w ill
,

of God I w ish it ma y be t h e w ill of God t o ke ep t h is

.

fai t hful ma n fro m t h e evil t h at is in t h is w orld ; t he n ,

i n de e d h e w ill be a burn in g an d a shin i n g li g ht ”

, .

M rParker d i ed as prev i ous ly st at ed Au g 1 7 1 7 87

.
, , .
,

an d a t a par i sh meet in
g he ld O ct 9 a co mm it t ee w as .
,

appo in t e d t o in v it e M r S ew all t o speak on Su n days . .

I t is g en era l ly b e li eved t ha t he di d n ot accep t ; 1 a n d it

is very prob abl e t h at he di d n ot pu t him sel f u n der
O bli at i on for perman e n t pu l p it service ; b u t t h e fore
g
g o in g sho w s t h at he d i d n ot ut t erl y refuse t o ai d t h e
socie t y in t h i s w ay .

Jon at han M it chell Se w all w h o i s t hus referred t o , ,

w as b o rn in S al e m M ass in 1 7 48 , .
, .

He w a s says C W Bre w st er in his Rambles

, . .
,

m
about Port s out h ” “
of hi g h st an din g as a law y e r bu t
, ,

n o less e m i n e n t as a s t at es m an a n d poe t He w as t h e .

w ri t er of t h e st irri n g so n g of t h e Revolu t io n e n t it led

‘
War an d Washin gt o n be g in n in g Vai n Brit o n s boast ,
’
,
‘
,

1 in T h e C h r ist ian L eade r, Nov 1 5 , 1 87 3 , p 7 1 9

Se e an a rt icl e . . .

V OL . I. 18
2 74 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

no lon g er e t c,
’1
. w hich w as sun g in every cam p t h rou g h
ou t t h e cou n t ry .

Drake in h i s B iog raphi ca l D i ct i on ary says o f M r

, ,
.

Se w a ll :
His occasion al poet ic pieces so me of w hich at t ain e d ,

g re at populari t y w ere collect ed an d published i n 1 80 1 ;

,

m an y w ere of a polit ical cast an d w ere prin t ed i n m ost ,

of t h e Federal g azet t es fro m M ain e t o Georg ia He w a s .

n o t e d for w it a n d w a s em i n e n t i n social qualit ies

,
In .

his epilo g ue t o t h e Trag edy of Cat o w rit t e n in 1 7 7 8

‘
,
’
,

occurs t h e w ell k n o w n couplet -

,

No pe n t -
up U t ica c on t r ac t s ou r pow e rs,
B u t t h e w h ol e bou n dl e ss c on t in e n t is ou rs .

D u yck in ck in ,
his w ork on
“
B i ography , says o f Mr .

Se w a ll
It is a n ame t hat shoul d b e bett er kn o w n an d
cherish ed for it w a s born e by on e w h ose lyrics w arm ed
,

t h e pat riot is m an d cheere d t h e heart s of t h e soldiers

, ,

of t h e Revolut ion i n t h e perils of t h e bat t le an d t h e

privat ion s of t h e cam p ” .

I n 1 7 89 , in an t i cipat i o n o f a v is it o f P res i de n t Wash

i n gt on t o P or t smou t h n o lit t l e d i scuss io n occurred as
,

t o t h e t it l e b y w hich he shou l d b e addressed an d sev ,

eral w ere sugg est ed M r S e w all made t h e foll o w in g

. .

i mprompt u answ er
Fame spr e ad h e r w in g s an d w it h h e r t ru mpe t bl e w, ,

Gr e at Washin gt on is c ome w h at prai se i s du e

What t itl e shall h e h av e S h e p au se d an d said , ,

N ot on e H is n am e al on e st ri k e s ev e ry t it le de ad .

1 V ai n B r it on s , boast
l on g e r, w it h pr ou d i n dig n it ,
no y
y y
B y l an d ou r c on qu rI n g l e g i on s , ou r m a t c hl e ss s t r e n g t h at se a ,
y
S in c e w e , ou r bra v e r son s i n ce n s ’d , ou r sw ords h a ve g ir de d on .

Hu zz a, hu zz a ,
hu zz a, hu zz a, f or War an d Wash in g t on .
 NOAH P ARKER .
27 5

Mr S e w a ll w as great ly in t eres t ed in t h e es t abli sh

.

me n t of t h e U n i versali s t S oc ie t y in Port smou t h, an d

w rot e severa l hymn s w h i ch w ere prin t ed on sl ips an d
,

su n g in t h e S un day serv ices He died in 1 8 0 8 . .

I m mediat e l y a ft er t h e dea t h of M r Parker M r M u r .

, .

ray w r o t e t o a fri en d in Lon don

Whe n I l ast addressed you t h e n ame of M r N , . .

[N oah Parker] st ood forem os t a mo n g t he n um ber of t h e

preachers of t h e t rut h as it is in Jesus, i n t his N e w
World B u t si n ce t hat period havin g fought t h e g oo d
.
,

fi g h t an d kept t h e fait h he hat h fin ished his course an d

, , ,

laid hold on t hat et ern al life w hich w as g i ven h im an d ,

w ill be g ive n t o al l t hat love t h e appeari n

g of t h e L ord
Jesus .

I have suffered n o bereave me n t si n ce I cam e in t o t his

coun t ry beside t h e deat h of ou r dear depart ed frie n d
, ,

M r Relly w hich has affec t ed me so deeply

.
,
I m ourn .

w it h t hose w h o mour n ; h ow g reat t hi s affl ic t io n t o h is

fam il y t o his frien ds The S un day before last t hey
, .

burie d h i m an d las t S un day w a s t h e first S un day his

,

h e are rs have bee n w i t hout a preacher sin ce t h e Re

dee m er O p en ed his m out h a n d e n abled h im t o sho w fo r t h
his m os t holy praise The g ou t t hro w n i n t o his st o m ach
.

becam e his passport t o blessedn ess .

N ever did m an l abor more dili g e n t ly t h an our dep art ed

frien d i n t h e pro mul g at io n of t h e g ospel of divin e t rut h ,

bot h i n pri vat e an d in public ; it w as hi s sole delig ht ;

an d t h is he did w it hout fee or re w ard n ever receivi n g
‘

from t h e p eople t h e s mallest pecun i ary co n siderat io n .

He w as blessed w it h abilit y an d i n clin at io n t o follo w

t h e exam ple of t h e Apost le Pa u l m ore closely t han a n y
in divid u al I ever kn e w B u t alas " h i s co n gre g at io n is
.
,

n ow l e f t quit e des t it u t e God is able t o raise up such

.

an o t he r bu t at prese n t t here is n o prospec t of s u ch an

,
27 6 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

eve n t We kn ow n o on e w h o preaches t h e t rut h w h o

.

w ould t ake hi s place an d if an y w ere d i sposed t hey

, ,

w ould expect t o live by t h e g ospel .

I do n ot n ow k n ow of a sin g le preacher in t his coun t ry ,

if I except M r T [ Tyler] of Co n n ect i cut, w h o i s w it h me

. .
,

in se n t i m en t respec t in g g ospel tr ut h, alt houg h t here are

m an y priva t e Chri st ian s w h o are happy i n t h e belief of
t hose g lad t i d i n g s w h i ch t h e an g els delig h t ed t o pro
clai m There are, as I i n form ed you in my last w h o
.
,

preach an o t h er g ospel, w h o a ssure us t hat all m an ki n d

w ill fin ally t hr ou gh t heir ow n do i n g s an d s u fferi n g s
, ,

e n t er in t o li fe, foras much as God w i llet h t hat all m e n

should be save d an d com e un t o t h e kn o w l edg e of t h e
t rut h .Of t his n umb er i s M r W [ Win chest er ] of w hom . .
,

I have spoken i n former let t ers an d w h o i s n ow in E n g ,

-

l an d He is a zealous ma n a n d an an i mat ed pre ac he r

.
, .

We c a n r arely discove r a n y differe n ce bet w e e n h i m an d

t h e M e t ho di s t s , exce pt w here t hey speak of t h e n ever
e n di n g t ormen t s of t h e w icked Here h e diff ers from .

t he m for he supposes t h e w icked w ill b e t orm e n t ed o n ly

,

a f e w t housan d years or ag es or millio n s of years ao

, , ,

cordi n g t o t h e m agn it ude of t heir t ran sg ression s un t il ,

b ei n g brou ght t o love an d serve God accept a bly t hey ,

w ill b e forever happy w it h t h e L ord .

I a m I do assure you beyo n d express i o n dist ressed

, , .

1
Wh at are w e t o do
U n l ess M r M u rray referred t o hi s person a l ac qua in t
.

a n ce w it h t he preachers he must have forg ot t en Rev , .

David E van s w h o w a s b eyon d ques t i on t h e keen es t

, , ,

an d a bl es t Re ll yan in t h e cou n t ry w hen he sa i d t hat ,

M r Tyler w as t h e on ly pre acher w h o w as w it h h im in

.

se n t i me n t .

I t i s n ot at all pro b a bl e t hat M r W in chest er s syst em .

’

1 L e tt e r s an d S k e t ch e s, v ol . I I .
pp 2 7 6 , 2 7 7
. .
 AVERSI ON T O RELLY ANI SM . 2 77

as a w ho l e w as adop te d by m an y of t h e preachers for ,

he had publis hed bu t litt le a t t hat t im e a n d f e w u n der ,

s t ood j ust w hat his t heory w as u n t il some seven or

eig h t years la t er w he n his w rit in g s w ere more n um er
,

ous an d more in dust rious ly circu lat ed B u t as w a s .

,

st at ed in t h e precedin g chapt er n early all t h e preach

,

ers w ere co n vert s from t h e ort hodox sect especially s

,

from t h e Bapt is t s a n d w i t h t h e excep t i on of Caleb

, ,

Rich w h o w a s or igin a l in h i s in t erpret at i on s an d ex

,

e g e sis t he ir t heori es diff ered in li t t l e or n o t h in g from

,

w ha t t hey had al w ays hel d excep t in reg ard t o t h e

,

un iversa l ext en t an d efficacy of Chri st s savin g w ork ’

.

Rellyan i sm w as felt t o b e a forced an d fact it ious m ode

of i n t erpret in g t h e Script ures an d except as t o it s fin al
,

resu lt s w as n ot g en erall y accept ed The gen eral agit a

, .
;

t io n of t h e q u e s t io n of hu m an dest in y am o n g n earl y a ll

t h e sect s as in t i m at ed in th e firs t chapte r had in a

, ,

g reat measure prepared t h e masses w h o w ere t h in kin g

on t h e su bj ect t o g l ad ly accep t M urray s m essag e ; b
’
ut

furt her t houg h t l ed t he m t o m ore rat io n al gr oun ds for

t heir con c l usion s an d hen ce much t o h is surprise a n d
, ,

d is t ress t hey discarded hi s pre m i ses bu t held t o h i s

, ,

co n clusi on t hat t h e ul t imat e redem pt i on of t h e w orld

w as t h e doc t rin e of t h e B ibl e This avers i on t o Relly
.

a n is m g re w m ore an d m ore i n t en se an d ex t e n sive t ill , ,

as w e shall see as w e proceed i t w as w hol ly ab an don ed

,
.

At t h e period of w hich w e are n ow w r it in g ho w ever , ,

t h e cl ose of t h e year 1 7 87 M r M urr ay had an o t her

,
.

source of t rouble N o soon er had h i s su it aga in s t t h e Firs t

.

Pari sh in Gl oucest er b ee n decided t han his e n em ies be ,

an t o t hreat e n him w it h l eg a l t roub le for perfor mi n g

g
marriag e ceremo n i es all eg in g t ha t he w as u n ordain ed
,
278 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

an d w as t here fore
actin g ill eg ally A case w as fin ally
.

sel ect e d an d t aken t o t h e S u preme Co u rt w here a ,

verd ict w as o bt a in ed ag a in s t hi m an d he w a s se n ,

t e n ce d to pay a fin e o f fift y poun ds Th is fact an d hi s

.
,

con c lus io n w it h re feren ce t o it h e t hus commun i cat ed

,

t o a P h il ade l ph ia correspo n den t Ja n u ary 2 1 7 88

, ,

I t old y ou of a prosecut io n comme n ced ag ai n s t m e

by my e n e mies on accoun t of m arry i n g The arbit rary .

j ud g es w ill n ot it see m s co n sider me an ordain ed m in is

, ,

t e r be cause I am n ot ordai n ed i n t h e i r w ay so I a m i n ,

con sequen ce con demn ed an d oblig ed t o pay heavy fin es

or leave t h e St at e t ill t h e Gen eral Court g ran t s m e r e
dress, w hich I t rus t t hey w il l i n t h e i n t erim, as t hey w ill
n ot m ee t t ill Fe b ruary I i n t e n d t akin g a voyag e t o
.

L o n don , an d spe n d t h e w in t er t here an d co m e ou t i n t h e

S pri n g
. If th e L e g islat ure should n ot g ran t me re dress
I m ust l eave t h i s St at e an d i n t hat case hope t o t ake up
,

m y abode in your cit y on my re t urn fro m E n g lan d I .

w ish I coul d have had previous n ot i ce of t his t im e

e n oug h t o have g i ve n ou r frie n ds a n opport un it y t o
w rit e t o M r Wi n chest er b
. u t I n ever t hou g ht of i t t il l
,
”
yest erda y .

On th e 6 tho f Jan uary he se t sai l f or E n gl an d .

N obl e provi s i o n w as m ade for hi m b y th e Bos t o n ia n s ,

an d a ll expen ses o f t h e voyag e de frayed says M rs ,

.

M urray . La n d in g in Fal m ou t h a ft er a l on g an d b o i s
,

t e r ou s voyag e M r M urray w as rece ived w it h g reat

, .

k in d n ess al t houg h in t h e m idst o f st ran g ers b ei n g ,

w arm l y co mme n de d t o al l Chri s t i a n peop l e b y l e t t ers

from t h e Chu rches in Bost on an d G l o u ces t er Durin g his .

sta y abroad he preached in man y places bu t g en erally , ,

if n ot alw ays as he h ad at first don e in Ameri ca

, ,

w i t h ou t avo w in g pos it i ve l y h is b el i e f i n Un i vers alis m .

 MR . M URRAY I N ENG LAND . 27 9

M rs. M urray q uot es from hi s diary on this po in t as

fo ll o w s :
The n um e rous frie n ds w it h w ho m I occasion ally
soj ourn are as a n xious t o de t ain me w it h t he m an d ,

la m e n t t h e n ecessit y of my depar t ure precisely as di d ,

m y Am erica n frie n ds ; t heir h eart s s w ell w it h t ran sport

w hile I s i mp l y declare t h e g ospel of t h e g race of God ,

a n d t h ey rei t erat e t heir expressio n s of ad m irat io n of t h e

g r acious w ords w hich God e n abl e s m e t o ut t er i n like ,

m a n n er as did t h e g ood G l ou ce st e r i a n el de r M r Warn er ,

.
,

on m y first visit t o t h at p lace We m in gle our supplica .

t io n s an d ad dresses our t ha n ks g ivi n g s a n d our praises a n d

, ,

ou r heart s burn w i t hi n us w h ile w e co n vers e of t h e g ood

n ess of our G od an d t h e g racious purposes of redee m i n g

love S urely it w ould be ill judg ed if n ot cr uel i n such

; -
, ,

circum st an ces t o dash t h e cup of felicit y fro m t h e lips

of t h ese h u m ble depe n de n t s upo n t h e g race of our L ord
Jesus Chris t because perhap s t hey do n ot see t o t h e e n d
,

of t h e divi n e pu rp oses I n ever w ill preach an yt hin g .

bu t t h e g ospel of God our S aviour an y w here bu t I w ill

l e a v e t h ose dear people t o dra w t h eir co n clusio n s an d in , ,

t h e i n t eri m I w ill fe e d t he m w it h t h e si n ce r e m ilk of

,

t h e w or d t h a t t hey m ay g ro w t h e reby
,
The p e o ple .

eve ryw here hear w it h AM E R I C A N A T T E N T I O N Cl e rg y .

m e n w h erever I soj ourn ar e g e n erally m y hos t s Go spel

, ,
.
,

u n adult erat ed g ospe l is pleasan t t o t h e be lievi n g soul ;

,

I co n t e n t m yself w it h sho w in g t hat m a n is los t by s i n ,

t hat t h e l a w is t h e m i n ist rat io n of deat h t hat t h e g os p el ,

i s a divin e declarat ion of life by Jesus Chris t t o ev e ry

c reat ure ” 1 .

M rs . M urray adds
Whe n t he clerg y m e n w it h w ho m M urray associ
r . M
at e d durin g his last reside n ce in E n g lan d becam e as oe r

1 L if e of M u rra y , e dit ion of 1 8 7 0 , pp 3 4 6 , 3 4 7

. .
2 80 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

t ai n e d of his f u ll f th e ma g n i
a n d comp r e h e n s iv e vi e w s o

tu d e a n d ex t e n t of t h e r ed e e m i n g p l a n , alt h ou g h v e ry f e w
ado pt ed his ideas y e t t h e y st ill co n t i n ue d w arm ly a t
,

t a c h e d t o t h e preach e r ; a n d t h e le t t e r s t hey addressed

t o h i m af t er his re t urn t o Am erica w hich are st ill i n ,
” 1
bein g w ould fill a volum e
,
.

Whe n t h e Le g islat ure of M assachuse tt s con ven ed in

Fe b ruary t h e foll ow in g pet it ion w as presen t ed
,

T o t h e H on or a bl e S en a te an d t h e H ou s e f Rep r e s e n
o

t a t i ve s of the Com mon w e a l t h of M a s s a ch u se t ts , a ss e m bl ed

in B os t on in F e b John M urray of G l ou c e s
r u a r y , 1 7 88 : ,

t e r i n t h e Cou n t y of E ssex w oul d h u m bly represe n t t o

, ,

your Ho n ors t h at about seven t ee n years a g o he cam e

,

i n t o t his cou n t ry w hich he co n sidered as t h e asylum of

,

reli g io n a n d ben evole n ce ; t h at on his arrival he be g an

t o preach t h e g os p el of peace i n doi n g w h ich he m e t w i t h ,

m an y cordial frie n ds so m e of w ho m n a m ely a socie t y

, , ,

of C hr ist ian s in Gloucest er dist in g uished t hem s e lves by ,

t heir u n ifor m at t ach m e n t t o t h e m essag e an d t h e m esse n

ge r . An d aft er yo u r pe t it io n e r had occasio n a lly labored

'

am o n g t hem for a co n siderable t im e t hey associ at e d ,

t o g e t h er as a n I n depe n de n t Church bu ilt a m e e t i n g ,

h ouse a n d i n vit ed your p e t it io n er t o resi d e w it h t hem as

,

t heir se t t led m in ist er ; a n d i n t h e m o n t h of Dece mber ,

i n t h e year 1 7 80 did app oin t s e t ap a r t an d orda in h i m

, , ,

t o t h e w ork of t h e m i n is t ry an d t o be t heir t eacher of ,

piet y re l ig io n an d moralit y t hat ever sin ce t h at pe riod

, ,

he h as co n sidered hi m self an d has bee n con sidered by ,

t h e peo ple h e has s t at edly l a bored am o n g st as t heir or ,

dain ed m in is t e r ; a n d t hou g h your pet it io n er has on ,

sun dry occasio n s visit ed a n d labored am o n g st his C h ris

,

t ia n frie n ds in o t her places i t h a s alw ays bee n w it h t h e ,

co n se n t of his people t hey s t ill looki n g on hi m an d he

,

1 Lif e of M u rra y , e dit ion of 1 87 0 , p 3 4 9

. .
 P ETI T I ON T o T HE LEGI SLAT URE . 2 81

on h imsel f as t heir ordain ed m in ist er I t al so appears .

t hat t h e people am o n g w ho m your pe t i t io n er has f r s

que n t ly labored h ave co n sidere d hi m in t h e same li ght ,

as t h e y have form al ly request ed licen se of his people of

Gloucest er w h o aft er con sult at io n g ran t ed t hat li cen se
, , , .

An o t her circum s t an ce t hat t e n ded t o con firm your pe t i

t ion e r in t h e belief of hi s bein g a n or da i n e d mi n is ter i n
t h e st ri ct est s e n se of t h e w ord an d accordi n g t o t h e
,

let t e r an d spirit O f t h e l aw w as t h e verdict give n i n

,

favor of h im an d his people by t h e Ho n orable S upre m e

Court an d jury w h en aft er suff erin g much abuse from
, ,

t heir persecut i n g O pp on e n t s i n Gloucest er t hey w ere r e ,

du ce d t o t h e n ecessit y of applyin g t o t h e law s of t heir

coun t ry for redress a n d prot ect io n B u t t he ir oppo n en t s,
.

diss at isfied w it h t h e verdict t he n Obt ain ed deman ded a ,

review aft er w hich revie w t h e form er verdict w as con

firm e d by t h e full an d decided Opin io n of t h e ho n orable
court g iven in t heir favor .

Bei n g t hus, by co n st it ut io n al rig ht an d l e g al deci s io n ,

est ablished as an in de p en de n t mi n ist er sett le d w it h an d , ,

ordai n e d by t h e join t suffr ag es of t h e me mbers of t hat

,

relig ious socie t y your pet it io n er supposed his t roubles

,

fro m his persecu t i n g e n e m ies w e r e a t an e n d An d upo n .

co n sul t in g cou n sel learn ed in t h e l a w w h o g ave i t as ,

t heir decided Opi n io n t h at he w as an ordai n ed m i n ist er ,

h e proceeded t o perform t h e cerem o n y of m arriag e t o

such of hi s hearers w h o m ade app licat ion t o him for t hat
purpose B u t som e of his oppo n e n t s un ac quain t ed w it h
.
,

t h e i n depe n den t m ode of or d i n a ti on an d presum in g you r ,

pet it io n er w as n ot ordain ed because t h e sam e cere m o n ie s

,

w e re n ot m ade use of i n his ordi n at io n t o t h e use of

w hich t hey w ere accust o m ed brou g ht t h e ques t io n of
,

your pet i t ion er s rig h t of O ffi ciat i n g as a n ordain ed min

’

is t er before t h e jud g es of t h e S upre me Judicial Court ,

w h o g ave i t as t heir O p i n io n t hat he w a s n ot an ordai n ed

min i ste r, i n t h e se n se of t h e l a w as t h e forms of hi s ,
282 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

ordin at i on w ere sufficie n t ly n o t ori ous Yo u r pet i

n ot .

t ion e r a n d t h e people w h o ordai n ed hi m co n ceived h i s

, ,

ordin at io n w as s u ffic i e n t ly n ot orious, as t h e art icle w as

subscribe d by every m ember of t h e socie t y ; an d t h e
hon orable cou rt co n sidere d h im a publ i c t eacher of piet y ,

relig ion an d m oral it y The recen t adj udicat ion of t h e

,
.

ho n orable judg es has in volved your pet it ion er’s lit t le

fl ock i n Glouc e s t er i n expe n se an d exqui si t e dist ress an d ,

y our pe t i t io n er is rui n ed u n less your Ho n ors ca n i n t er

,

fere for h i s relief He must n ot o n ly sat isfy t h e heavy

.

pe n alt y already forfeit ed t o his sai d oppo n e n t s an d pro

s e cu t or s b u t he is l iab le t o repeat ed forfe it u r es of like
,

pen alt ies for every mar riag e he h as perf orme d sin ce he
h as co n ceived hi m self t h e ordain ed m in i ste r of t h a t
people w hich must in volve hi s fr ien ds in expen se or
, ,

con si g n hi m t o a jail N or is t his all ; supposin g his

.

ordin at io n i n valid he i s by t h e lett er of t h e l aw liable

, , ,

t o i g n o m i n ious pun ishme n t N ow as equit y is said t o

.
,

be t hat i n t erfere n ce of t h e supre me pow er w hich allevi

at es w here t h e l aw , by bein g t oo com prehe n sive h a s
,
,

in volved a c ase t o w h ich i t w as n ot perhaps m e an t t o , ,

ext en d ; an d as he an d his people his coun sel a n d t h e

, , ,

w orld at lar g e supposed hi m orda in ed as much as an

,

E piscopali an or an y ot her t e a cher how ever di ff eren t t h e

, ,

mo d e of ordin at i on he m ost hum bly prays your Hon ors

,

t o i n de mn ify him for a n y fart her prosecut io n for a n y

marria g e he m ay ha ve sole mn ized u n der his suppose d
ri g ht a n d by t hi s m ean s resc u e hi m fro m t h e persecu t i n g
,

po w er of hi s m al ig n an t adversaries rest ore t h e exercise ,

of relig ious r it es t o his oppressed an d affl ict ed people,

est ablish in t h e Comm o n w ealt h in w hich he h as lon g ,

h ad hi s r eside n ce, t hat peace w hich has been broke n by

t h e m alice of his e n e m ies Your pet it ion er w ould i n
.

person have w ait ed on such co m m it t ee of your Hon ors as

m ay be appo in t ed t o co n sider t h i s pe t it io n , bu t his w el l
g r ou n ded fears t hat prosecu t io n s w ould b e mul t iplie d
 LEGI SLAT I VE RELI EF . 2 83

upo n hi m by t h e zeal of his relig ious a dversari e s has ,

n ec e ssit at ed h i m t o abse n t him self fro m t h e cou n t ry of

his adopt io n an d his dear people un t il such t im e as t h e ,

cle m e n cy of your Ho n ors m ig ht be obt ain ed in h i s

behal f ” .

The con g reg at i o n in G l oucest er al so sen t in a pet it io n

in aid of t h e foreg o in g an d t h e resu lt w a s
, t h e adop t i o n
of t h e foll o w i n g

C OM M ON WE AL TH OF M A S S ACHU SE TT S .

I n t h e H ou se of Rep r ese n t a ti ve s, M a rc h 1 7 , 1 7 88 .

Whereas John M urray an d o t hers have represe n t ed

,

t o t his court t hat t h e said M ur ray es t ee m i n g h im self ,

le g all y qualified h a d sole mn ized ce rt ain m arriag es a n d

, ,

t h at by a decisio n had in t h e S u p erior Judicial Court

, ,

i t w as de t erm in ed t hat t h e s a id M ur ray had n o suc h

aut horit y prayin g t hat he m i g ht be in de m n ified ; Re
,

solve d That t h e said Jo h n M urray be an d he hereby

, ,

is in de m n ifie d from all pai n s a n d pen alt ies w hich he

,

m ay have in curred on a cc du n t of h avi n g sole m n ized an y

m arriag es as afores a id for w hich t here has n ot bee n
, ,

an y prosecu t io n co mm e n ced or had ; a n d t h e said M u r

,

ray may upo n t rial for an y of t h e O ff e n ces afor esaid

, ,

g ive t his resolut io n in evide n ce upon t h e g e n eral issue ;

, ,

w hich shall have t h e sam e operat io n as if specially

plea ded .

S e n t up for con curre n ce .

“
JA M E S WA RRE N Sp e a k e r ,
.

I n S en a te , M a r ch 2 7 , 1 7 88 .

Read an d co n curred .

“
SA M UEL AD A M S, Pr es ide n t .

Approved .

J O H N H A N CO C K .
2 84 UNI V E RSA LI SM I N AM ERI CA .

On M r M urray s re t urn t o Am eri ca t h e voya g e w a s

.
’

un com m on l y prot ract ed by head w in ds Joh n A dams .

,

aft erw ards P res iden t of t h e U n it ed St at es w as w i t h his , ,

w ife on b oard ; an d at h is Soli c i t at i o n

, M r M urr ay, ,
.

preached eve ry S u n day Th i s w as t h e comme n cem en t .

of a lo n g an d in t im at e ac q ua in t an ce w it h t h i s e m in en t
c it i zen an d h i s famil y A rriv in g i n Bost on in Ju l y .
,

“
th evoice of exon erat io n an d freedo m bade h i m w e l
co m e an d t h e g lad accla m at ion s of joy resoun ded am o n g
,

his con g rat ulat in g an d m ost aff ect io n at e frie n ds A .

sum m o n s f rom t h e Govern or t o at t en d a select part y at

his house me t him on t h e day of his arrival an d e very
"

liberal m i n d part ook t h e rat io n al hilarit y O f t h e mo

m e n t ” 1 (M e m oir p
.
, .

S ome t im e aft er h i s re t urn M r , . M urray in w ri t in g ,

t o a fri e n d i n Lo n don in regard t o t h e success o f h i s

pet it i on t o t h e Legis l at ure sa i d ,

I have been t h e happy in st ru m e n t of w h ich t h e God

of peace an d m ercy has m ade use t o g ive a deat h w oun d .
,
-

t o t hat hydra parochial persecut io n ,

P e rso n s n ow n u .
,

de r t h e de n o m in at io n of I n depe n de n t s w h o believe an d ,

bear w it n ess t o t h e t rut h as it is in Jesus are e n do w ed , ,

w i t h every privile g e possess e d by t h e n at io n al church or

est ablishe d relig io n an d of course my sit u at io n sin ce , ,

my re t ur n has bee n abun da n t ly m ore elig ible t han it w as

” 2
previous t o m y depart ure .

1 A l mos t his fi rst act , a f t e r his a rr iva l , w as to r e c ord in t h e T ow n

Cl e r k ’
s boo k ,
in Gl ou c e st e r , his i n t e n t ion of m a rr ia g e w it h M rs . J u dit h
St e ve n s , a dau g h t e r of his f r ie n d , Win t h r op S arg e n t . T he yw e re m ar
rie d t h e 6 t h of O c t obe r, at S al e m , M ass . M rs . M u rr a yw a s an in t e l l i

g e n t a n d g if t e d w om a n F or a n a ccou n t of h e r l it e r a r a bil it i e s
. y an d

f a m e se e T he U n iv e rsal ist Q u a rt e rl , A pril , 1 881 , pp 194—2 13 ,

,
y . an d

A pr il , 1 882 , pp 1 40 —1 5 1 . .

2 L e t t e rs an d S e t c h e s
, k vol . II .
pp 3
. 5 1 -
3 52 .
 MR . M U RRAY ’S REORDI NATI ON . 2 85

The church at G l oucest er de t ermin ed t o avoid al l ,

furt her q ues t io n in g of t h e leg al s t at us an d rig ht s of

M r M urray resol ved t o ren ew his ordi n a t ion
.
, At t h e .

t ri a l of t he ir s u i t ag a in s t t h e F ir st Parish an d in t he i r ,

Appea l t o t h e I m par t ia l Public t hey had t ake n t h e

“ ”
,

pos it ion t hat ordin at io n co n s i st ed in t h e choos in g an d

se t t in g apart of a re lig ious t eacher an d n ot in an y ,

ceremo n y a tt en dan t o such C ho ice I n t h e Appeal

n
“
.
,

t hey q uo t ed fro m t h e Ca m b ridg e Pl at form of 1 6 4 6 ,

w h i ch w as t h e ackn o w ledg ed s t an dard of t h e s t a n d in g

order :
O rdi n at ion w e accoun t n o t hin g else bu t t h e solemn pu t
t in g a m a n i n t o h i s place a n d o ffice i n t h e c h urch w here ,

un t o h e h at h a ri g ht before by e lect ion The essen ce .

an d subs t an ce of t h e out w ard calli n g of an ordi n ary

officer in t h e church dot h n ot co n sist i n ordin at io n bu t

, ,

i n h i s volu n t ary an d free elec t io n by t h e church an d his ,

acce pt i n g of t hat elect ion ; w h e reupo n is foun ded t hat

relat io n b e t w ee n past or a n d fioc k — bet w een such a m i n
,

ist er a n d such a p eople Ordin at ion dot h n ot co n st it ut e

.

a n officer n or g ive h i m t h e esse n t ials of his O ffice

,
The .

A post les w ere elders w it hout im posit ion of h an ds by

,

me n .
”

To it t hey added
“ This w as t h e se n se of t h e coun t ry at t hat t ime, an d
i t w as so p r eval e n t t hat alt hou g h t h e plat for m w a s
,

obt ain ed y e t i t could n ot be do n e w it h out preservin g

,

t hese se n t i me n t s B u t as t h e w ord ordai n sig n i fies ‘ ’

.

n o m ore t han t o ap poi n t w e co n ceive t hat t h e e l ec

,

t io n a n d n ot t h e l ayi n g on of han ds m akes t h e ordi

, ,

n at io n co m ple t e S e e sixt h an d t hirt ee n t h chapt ers of

.

Act s ” .

Thi s co n v i ct io n t hey st ill ret ain ed ; bu t w ere w illin g

2 86 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

to so far comp ly w it h t h e posit i on Of t h e Co u rt t hat ,

t he ir f ormer ordin at i on had n ot b een s u ffi c i en t ly pu b

li c a s t o give t o th e reordi n at ion ceremon y t he u t mos t
,

publi c it y in t heir pow er b y pu bl is h in g in th e Col um

,

bian Se n t in el of Bost on t h e foll ow in g in th e is s u e of

,
”
, ,

t ha t paper J an 3 1 7 89 ,
.
,

L as t
Thursday w eek M r Joh n M urray w as ordai n ed,
.

t o t h e pas t oral ch ar g e of t h e In depe n de n t Church of

Christ i n Gloucest er Af t er M r M ur ray had prayed . .
,

a n d on e of t h e con g re g at io n had an n oun ced t h e i n t e n

t ion O f t h e mee ti n g, an d presen t ed h i m for mally w it h a

call M r M urr ay replied
,
.

Persuad ed of t he t rut h of t h e decl arat i on made by

t h e co m p ilers of t h e short er cat echism, t hat God s w orks
’

of provide n ce are his m ost holy w i se, an d pow erful , ,

prese rv in g an d g overn in g all his cr e a tu r e s an d all t heir ,

act ion s ; an d havin g a full co n vict io n t hat t h e aff airs of

t h e church ar e in a n especial m an n er, u n der h i s i m m e
,

diat e di rect io n ; an d t hat you my Chr i st ian fr ien ds an d ,

b ret hren are n ow as for merly u n der t h e direct in g i n fl u

, , ,

en ce of t hat divin e S pirit w h ich, t ak i n g of t h e t hin g s of

,

Jesus an d show in g t he m un t o me co n st rai n ed m e t o

, ,

beco m e a pre ac her of t h e everlast in g g ospel an d direct ed ,

you t o se t me ap a r t an d ordain me t o b e your mi n ist er ;

,

I n ow ag ain w it h hum ble g rat it ude t o my divin e M ast er

, ,

a n d g rat eful affect io n for y ou my l o n g t r i ed an d fai t hfu l ,

-

Chris t ian frie n ds an d bret hre n m ost cordial ly accept O f ,

t his call
’
.

“
On e of t h e comm i t t ee t he n read t h e vot e of t h e
church Resolved t hat w e t h e propri et ors of t h e I n
‘
, ,

depe n den t m eet in g house in Gloucest er, t h e m e mbers of

-

t h e church a n d co n g re g at ion usual ly a t te n di n g t here for

t h e pu rpose of di vin e w orship do by virt ue of t hat , ,

pow er veste d in us by t h e g reat Hi g h Pr i est of ou r pro

f e ss ion , t h e Bishop of our souls an d t h e g reat an d o n ly ,
 MR . M U RRAY ’S REORDI N AT I ON . 2 87

Head of t h e church a n d accordin g t o t h e i n s t it ut io n s of

,

t h e first churche s i n N e w E n g lan d an d in perfe ct c on ,

form it y t o t h e t hird art icle of t h e Declarat io n of Ri gh t s ,

i n t h is public m an n er sole m n ly e l ect an d or da i n con st i , ,

t u t e a n d appoin t M r Joh n M ur r ay of said Glouc e st er

, .
, ,

clerk t o be our set t led m in ist er past or a n d t e achin g

, , ,

elder ; t o p re ach t h e w ord of God a n d t o in cul cat e les ,

so n s a n d in st ruct io n s of p iet y reli g io n an d m oralit y on , , ,

t h e co n g re g at io n ; a n d t o do perform an d d ischar e all

g , ,

t h e dut ies a n d ofii ce s w hich of ri g ht belo n g t o a n y o t h er

m i n is t er of t h e g ospel or public t eacher of pi e t y re , ,

l i g ion an d m oralit y ; an d i t is hereby i n t e n ded an d

, ,

u n derst ood t hat t h e aut horit y a n d ri gh t s h ereby g iven

,

t o t h e said M r John M urray t o be our s e t t l e d or

.
,

dain ed m i n ist er a n d public t eache r are t o re m ain in

, ,

full force so lo n g as he shall con t i n ue t o p re ach t h e

w ord of God an d disp e n se i n st ruc t io n s O f pi e t y reli g io n
, , ,

an d m oralit y con form a bl e t o ou r opin ion s an d n o

, ,

lo n g er .
’

“
T h e co mm i t t ee t he n sole m n ly pr e se n t ed h i m t h e
Bible sayin g on it s prese n t at io n Dear sir w e p resen t
, ,
‘
,

you t h ese sacred S cript ures as a sole m n seal of your

ordin at ion t o t h e m i n ist ry of t h e N e w Tes t am e n t an d ,

t h e sole dire c t o r y O f you r fai t h a n d pract ice His a c ’

.

ce p t an ce w as aff ec t i n g — as w hat co m es fro m t h e h eart ,

reach es t h e hea rt .

Wit h my full soul I t han k our m erciful God for t hi s

i n e st i m able g ift Wit h g rat eful t ran s p ort I pres s it t o
.

my boso m I receive i t as t h e copy of m y F A T H E R S

.
’

WI L L as t h e deed of a n in corrup t ible in h e rit an ce as

, ,

t h e u n erri n g g uide t o my fee t a n d lan t ern t o m y pat hs ,

.

D e ar precious t reasure " t hou has t b e e n my co n st an t

,

support in every t ryin g hour an d a n e ver faili n g source ,

-

of t rue co n solat io n I t han k you m ost si n cerely do I .

,

t h an k you for t his co n firm in g seal t h is sure direct

, ,

or y ; an d I p ray t hat t h e S pirit w hich dict at ed t hese

288 U NI VERSA LI SM I N AM ERI C A .

sacred pages, m ay e n able m e t o m ake t h e best use

t hereof A ser m o n by M r M urray fro m L uke x 2
.
’
.
,
.
,

succe eded The harvest is g reat bu t t h e laborers are

,
‘
,
’
f e w, e tc . e t c.

The sole m n it y at t e n t io n a n d Christ ian dem ean or

“
, ,

t hat at t e n de d t h e w hole t ran sac t io n of t h e ordi n at io n ,

an d every o t her occurre n ce of t h e day g ave un iversal ,

”
sat isfact ion t o a n u merous audien ce .

M r urray had h ard ly set t l ed do w n t o h i s w ork

. M
aga in in G l ouces t er b efore he w as i m port u n ed o n ce
m ore t o re m ove t o Ph il ade l phi a an d earn es t ly p leaded ,

w it h t o g ive t ha t C i t y a port i on o f h i s t ime i f he cou l d ,

n ot t ake up h i s perman e n t ab ode t here He repli ed .

,

early in Ja n uary t hat he w as u n der o blig at i on t o d i

,

v i de h is S u n days b e t w een G l oucest er an d Bos t o n ; an d

t he n added

This on e w oul d supp ose w ould be sufficien t for me

“
, ,

at t his p eriod of m y labori n g life I have h o w ever .

, ,

besides t his t o visit w h e n I a m able sun dry co n gre g a

, , ,

t ion s i n various part s O f t h e cou n t ry as N e w p ort Provi , ,

d e n ce Cu mberlan d M ilford Graft o n , O xford N e w t o w n

, , , , ,

S ale m Port sm out h e t c

, ,
.

“
T h ere is n o prospect of m y bei n g a n idler as lo n g
as I h ave an y st re n g t h left I have been m an y years .

w ar mly e n g a g ed i n t h e pro m ul g at io n of divin e t rut h ,

acco rdi n g t o my kn o w led g e of it I have freely spen t .

my yout h my heal t h my st re n g t h i n t h at e m ploy

, , , .

M y S aviour m y g racious M as t er h as bee n g raciously

, ,

pleas e d a t last t o in dul g e m e w it h a h om e w it h ,

a w ife t o m ake t his ho m e ag reeable for w hich my ,

soul feels g rat eful I have i t st ill i n my heart t o

.

visit m an y ; bu t w ere I t o i n dul g e t his w ish — t hat ,

is supposin g m yse lf at my ow n disposal — I should

, ,

leave t h e people amon g w hom I labor a l a u g h i n g s tock t o -

 M C LEAN AND SEAG RAV E . 2 89

the public . I should d is app oin t so m e dis g u s t o t hers , ,

an d ru in , at pres e n t a very t h rivin g cause ”

, .

Th e it a li ci zed w ords in t h is last sen t e n ce are a

quo ta t ion t o his correspo n den t of t h e w ords w hich
t h e l a t t er had j us t e m ployed in descri bi n g t h e disas

t rous resu l t s of M r Wi n ches t er s course in l eav in g a

’
.

fiel d in w hi ch t here w a s am ple an d sat i sfact ory em

pl oym en t .

I n t h e same l e tt er M r M urray se n ds messag es t o ,

.

t w o n e w pre achers w h o had b ee n m e n t ion ed b y his ,

correspon den t They w ere Du n can M c Le an an d Art is

.
,

S eag rave The former w as t hen res i din g in Frederick

.

Coun t y Virgin ia n ear W in chest er w here he had b een

, , ,

se tt l ed as a Bapt i st preacher He b ecam e a U n iversal .

is t ab ou t t h e year 1 7 86 I n 1 7 8 7 t h e Virg in ia A sso .

,

c ia t ion of Bap t i s t s n o t i fied t h e P hi l ade l phia A ssocia t io n

'

t o b e w are of Du n ca n M c Le an l at e O n e of t heir m in is ,

t ers ,w h o has em braced t h e doc t rin e of U n iversal Sal

va t i on I n 1 7 90 he w as li v in g i n Loudon Cou n t y
.
”
, ,

t h e sa m e St a t e an d preach in g s t at ed l y t o l arge audi

,

e n ce s in Al exa n d ri a an d in severa l o t her l oca li t ies

, ,
.

I n 1 7 9 1 he accep t ed a call t o t h e pas t orat e of t h e

,

church in Ph ilade l phi a ; bu t su b se quen t ly r e con sid

ered t h e mat t er on accou n t Of h i s fa mily aff airs t h e
, ,

g reat w ork an d h is usefuln ess in t hat part of God s

’

v in eyard a n d so m e o t her reason s

,
Aft er 1 7 9 2 at .
,

w h i ch t im e he w a s s t il l in Loudon Cou n t y w e l ose all ,

t ra c e of h im .

Ar t is S eag rave h a d b een past or of t h e Bap t is t

C hurch a t Cape M a y N J from 1 7 85 t o 1 7 88 w hen , . .
, ,

he resign ed a n d removed t o Pit t sgrove in t h e same

, ,

St a t e I n 1 7 9 1 he w as at Pil esgrov e in 1 7 9 2— 1 7 9 9
.
, ,

V OL . I . 19
2 90 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

at Wrigh t st o w n aft er w h ich , we have n o kn o w l edg e

of h i s w hereab ou t s M org an . E dw ards says of Ar t i s
Seagrave
“
He t ook oversi g ht of t h e Cap e M ay church i n 1 7 85 ,

an d r e si g n ed i n 1 7 88 t o g o t o O ld ma n s Creek w here he
’
, ,

n ow ( 1 7 92 ) prac t ises physic a n d preaches t o a bran ch of

Pi t t s grov e Church He w as m uch t hou g ht of at t h e

.

C ape t ill he be g a n t o preach up t h e ext rava g an t vag aries

of t h e Re l l it e s He w as born I n Pit t sg r ov e Feb 1 1 7 5 5
.
, .
,

a n d t here ordai n ed i n 1

Un der da t e o f April 9 M r M urray t hus makes m e n ,

.

t i o n of a n e w preacher in Bos t on

I heard a g e n t le m an preach last S un day m orn i n g i n

t h e m ee t i n g I labor i n i n con seque n ce of my bein g ill, ,

— w h o for m at t er an d m an n er exceeded an
, y I had ever ,

heard I have n o acquai n tan ce w it h h i m ; t hat is per

.
,

so n al I have heard of h im ; he has bee n so m e t i me a

.

sc h ool mast er in t h e m et ropolis an d before t hey g e t ,

a set t led mi n ist er i n t h e N ort h E piscopal Ch u rch he ,

O ffi ci at e s t here S o m e of my hearers in t his place bei n g

.

acquai n t ed w it h h i m i n vit ed h i m in my absen ce t o sup

, , ,

ply t h e p u lpit M y bein g ill l as t S un day m orn in g g ave

.

m e an opp ort un it y of hearin g h im m yself an d I w as ex ,

c e e din g l y pleased I h Op e he w ill be a se n sible w arm

.
, ,

able ad vocat e of t h e t rut h as it is i n Jesus He labors .

,

ho w e ver poor m an un de r a difficult y in his first se tt in g

, ,

ou t ,
he is poor an d has a larg e fam il y he is t h e refore
, , ,

obli g ed t o be very much co n fi n ed t o his school Ho w ever .

,

w e kn o w n ot w h at is i n t h e w o m b of Provide n ce He is .

youn g a m an of great n at ural an d acquired abilit ies an d

, ,

I hope a m a n of pri n ciple ; so t hat he m ay be i n deed a

, , ,

burn i n g an d shi n in g lig ht I had oft en heard of M r . .

Georg e Richards as a very able school mast er a man of ,

1 B apt ist s in Ne w Je s y
r e , pp 43 , 44
. .
 G EORGE RI C HARD S . 29 1

a bilit ies, e t c bu t n eve r t ill last Chri s t mas Day did I

.

he ar of hi m as a preacher of t h e t rut h as i t is i n Jesus .

Who kn o w s, my frie n d bu t t h e L ord of t h e harvest may ,

y e t se n d fort h so m e able laborers in t o his harve s t Le t

it be our b usin ess t o p ray t hat he w ould ” .

Georg e Richards w h o is t hus brought t o our n o t i ce

, ,

w a s b orn in or n ea r N ew port R I ab out 1 7 5 5 He , .

, .

st ud ied t h e hi her b ran ches of l earn in g un der t h e pri

g

vat e t u i t i on o f a cl ergym an in N ew port w h o g ave h i m , ,

as he a ft erw ards expressed it as ext en s ive adva n t ages ,

as I coul d have en j oyed u n der Dr M an n in g Presiden t .

,

of B ro wn U n iversit y; D u rin g a port i on of t h e Revo

l u t ion ary War he w a s i n t h e n avy as purser an d chap
lain u n der Comm odore M an ly ; an d at t h e c lose of t h e
,

w ar he w en t t o Bos t o n a n d e n g ag ed i n t each in g He .

w as t hr i ce ma rried a n d had a n umerous fam il y , Of .

h i s fift h ch ild Sarah Ward b orn at Bost on Oct 2 7

, , , .
,

1 7 88 he says ,
“
Sh e w as t h e first c h il d dedi ca t ed b y
,

Joh n M urray in th e Un iversa l Church Boston ; an d ”

,

o f hi s e igh t h Alice Jan e b orn at P ort smout h N H

, , , . .
,

J u n e 22 1 7 9 7 : The first ch il d ded icat ed b y t h e Rev

“
, .

M r M urray Oct 25 1 7 9 7 a t t he Un iversa l meet i n g

.
, .
, ,

hou se in Port smout h N H V aughn St reet , . .

,
.
”

Alt houg h th e n am e of Georg e Richards has n o p lace

in an y D i ct i on ary of A meri ca n Au t hors or Cycl o ,

paadla o f A meri can Lit erat ure an d i s n ow al most for ,

g ot te n ex ce p t b y t hose w h o are in t erest ed in our C hurch

,

his t ory he w as as a con t rib u t or t o t h e peri odical press

, ,

o f h is day as t h e M assachusett s M ag az in e an d t he
, ,
"

w eek l y papers o f B os t on — a n d as ed i t or o f The Free ,

M ason s M ag az in e em in en t in h i s day as a poe t pa

’ ”
, ,

t r i o t an d M ason
, I n 1 87 1 t h e Lib rarian of t h e Amer
.
,
2 92 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

ican A n t iqu arian S oc ie t y in h i s a n n ua l report b eliev in g

, ,

t hat George Richards i s bet t er e n t it l ed t o a pl ace

amo n g th e w ri t ers o f his t i me in prose an d verse t h an
”
some w h o have b een ost e n t at i ous ly commemorat ed ,

made brie f men t i o n o f h i s lit erary w ork The f o ll o w .

in g y ear Rev E d w ard E vere tt Hal e in th e Fe b ruary

, .
,

n um b er o f t h e call ed att en t i on t o ”
Ol d a n d N e w ,

t h e n ame an d fame o f t hat forg ot te n poe t o f A mer i can

freedom an d harmon i ous e leg is t of G en eral Wash in g
,

t on t h e Rev Georg e Ri chards ;

, . an d t ran scrib ed a f e w

passages from h is w r it in g s as il l ust ra t i ve at on ce of t he

,

con d it io n o f Ameri ca n poet ry at t h e e n d o f t h e las t

cen t ury an d o f t h e modes of t hough t w h i ch t hen pre
,

vail ed a b out Wash in gt on h im sel f .

”

M r R i chards rema in ed in Bos t on t ill th e fa ll o f 1 7 9 3

.
,

t each in g schoo l an d occas i on a ll y preach in g w hen h e ,

b ecame past or o f th e Un iversali s t church in P ort smou t h ,

N H
. . For some u n k n o w n reason h i s ord in at i on w as
de ferred t ill J ul y 1 7 99 The pari sh records gi ve t h e
,
.

f oll o w in g accou n t o f t h e orda in in g serv i ce

Vot ed, t h at M Parry M Woodman , P Con es, J
.
,
. . .

L ibby a n d Joh n Rayn es be a com m it t ee to assis t i n t h e

, ,

ordin at ion of M r Richards a n d in behal f of t hi s socie t y

.
, , ,

t o deli ver him t h e Bible as t h e o n ly ru l e of h i s preach

in g an d pract ice ; an d on his receivin g t h e same , t opu b
l i cl y declare h i m t h e ordai n ed min is t er an d t e acher of
t his soc i e t y an d t hat he is fully aut horized an d e mpow
,

ere d t o ad min ist er all g ospel ordin an ces an d has al l t h e ,

r i ght s an d privile g e s of a t e mporal n at ure t h at t h e law s

of t h e S t at e allo w t o an y o t her sett le d an d ordain ed
min ist er w it hi n t h e sam e .

“
Thursday t h e 1 1 t h day of July w as se t apart w it h
, , ,

sub mi ssio n t o Divin e Providen ce for t h e ordai n in g ser ,

 DA VI D RALLOU . 2 93

v ices . Accordin g ly,

o clock of said day, t h e societ y at te n
’

asse mbled at t h eir u s u al place of w orship Brot her Jere .

miah L ibby, as on e of t h e socie t y s co mmi t t ee i n t roduc e d ’

,

t h e busi n ess of t h e m ee t i n g by a brief declarat i on of it s

purposes E lder E d w ard [ E d mu n d ] Pillsbu ry O f N ort h
.
,

w ood N H m ade t h e firs t prayer ; B r ot her John Fost er

, . .
, ,

of Taun t on M ass preached a sui t able dis course ; Brot h er

,
.
,

L i bby delive red t h e S crip t ures assis t ed by t h e comm it ,

t e e Broth er Richards r e t urn ed a proper an s w er ; Bro t her

Fost er delivered a be co m in g c harg e ; E lde r Pillsbury
g ave t h e ri g h t h an d of fellow ship Brot he r Fos t er off ered
-

a con cludin g praye r aft er w hich Brot her Rich ards pro ,
” 1
n ou n c e d t h e fi n a l blessin g .

Richards re m a in ed in P ort smout h t ill 1 80 9 w he n

Mr .
,

he accep t ed an i n v it a t i o n t o t h e past orat e o f th e church

in P h ilade lph ia w here al so he t aug h t school severa l
,

years an d durin g a port ion of t h e t i me w a s ed it or of a

M aso n i c magaz in e I n 1 81 4 t h e dea t h o f h i s w ife an d
.

vari o u s di sappoin t m e n t s u n set t led h i s reaso n an d in , ,

an in san e hour he des t royed h i mse l f He w a s a g ood .

man , an d w a s hel d in hi g h es t e em b y a ll hi s assoc iat es

in t h e m in i s t ry 2 .

Re v Dav id Ball ou w as an ot her ac cess i on t o t h e U n i

.

ve rsal ist m in i s t r y in 1 7 89 He w a s a b rot her o f Hosea .

,

an d t hi rt ee n years his se n i or For t e n yea rs he prea ched .

i n Ri chmon d N H a n d vic in it y an d t hen removed t o

, . .
, ,

w hat i s n ow ca ll ed t h e t ow n of M on roe M ass from , .

,

Historical Di sc ou rse at t he Ce n te n n ial C e l e bra t ion in Port smou t h ,

1

N H , N ov 1 6 , 1 87 3 , by A J Pa t te rs on D D
. . . U n i ve rs al ist Q u a rte rl y,
. .
,
. .

Jan ua y r , 1 87 4, p 7 5 . .

2 y
S ee C e n t u r of U n i ve rsal is m, p p 6 6—7 1 , f or an accou n t of M r . .

Richards min is r
’
t i n h il a de l ph ia ;yan d W hit t e m o re
’
P
s Lif e of Re v .

Hose a B al l ou , vol i pp 3 99 40 2 , f or t h e l a tt e r s e st imate of his

’
-
. . .

c h arac t e r .
2 94 UNI V ERSALI S M I N A M ERI C A .

whi ch p lace he it in erat ed over a l arg e reg ion . Th e la t e

Dr Wh it t emore sa id o f him
.

He w as a ma n of rare i n t el lect ual po w ers sag acious , ,

cool quick t o see t h e fallacy of a n ar g u me n t able t o

,
,

s t at e his proposit io n s clearly ; i n fin e h e w as w hat t h e ,

w orld w ould call a Close reaso n er B u t as a sp e aker he .

, ,

w as n ot eloq u e n t I n his m oral charac t er he w as w e

. ,
” 1
m
h a d al m os t said bla eless ,
.

He d i ed Dec 30 1 840 ag ed e ight y t w o years

.
, ,
-
.

O n Su n day Sep t 6 1 7 8 9 a t t h e c l ose o f serv i ces

,
.
, ,

w hich had b ee n co n duct ed b y Rev Art is Seagrave a .

,

m ee t in g w a s he l d in t h e Lodg e Ha ll in P h il ade lp hi a , ,

w he n

i t w as m ade kn o w n t o t hose prese n t t hat t h e desi g n of

t h e m ee t i n g w as t o lay before t he m t h e proprie t y of
w rit i n g a n d se n din g fort h a circular le t t er t o our frie n ds

i n differe n t par t s of t h e co n t i n e n t holdin g like fait h w it h

us i n t h e salvat io n an d rest orat io n of all t hin g s by Chris t
Jesus i n vit ing t he m t o a con fere n ce or a ssocia t io n i n
, ,

order t o ag ree on so m e g e n eral sen t i m e n t an d form of

church discipli n e w hich may have a t e n de n cy t o p n it e
,

us m ore i n t h e bo n ds of love an d u n iform it y an d pr ove ,

m ore t o our e dificat i on a n d t h e declarat ive g lory of

”
G od .

A commit t ee w as appo in t ed t o draft such a l ett er ,

w h o su b se q ue n t l y report ed t h e fo ll o w in g an d i t w as ,

ag reed t ha t i t shou l d b e sen t t o such perso n s or soc i e

t ies as t h e co mm i t t ee may deem proper
”

“
F r i e n ds an d B r e t hr en , I t h e g loriou s elief of t h e
n b
fi n al res t it ut io n O f all t hi n g s t hrou g h our L ord Jesus , w e
address you at t his t i m e by t h e advice a n d w it h t h e c on
se n t O f t h e bret hre n i n t h e sa m e belief in t his place ,

1 L if e of H os e a B a ll ou , v ol . i p 31
. . .
 P HI LADELPHI A CI RCULAR LET TE R . 2 95

t h ou g h n ot acquai n t e d w it h you bu t co n sider

g e n erally ,

i n g y ou as desirous t o p ro m o t e t h e t rut h a n d furt h e r t h e

pro g ress of g e n ui n e relig io n on a subject w h ich w e doubt
,

n ot h as exercised your m in ds i n a m easure as it has ours , .

You n o doubt have lo n g sin ce see n a n d d e plored t h e u n

s e t t le d co n dit io n w e are i n w i t h ou t or d er rul e
, or , ,

sy s t e m fl oat i n g about on t h e w at ers of u n st eady h elps

, ,

t o pro m o t e our k n o w led g e a n d un it e us i n on e g e n eral

,

c h u rch i n t h e bo n ds of love a n d u n iform it y I m pressed .

w it h a se n se of our s t at e as a p e ople a n d i n duced t o b e

,

lieve t hat t h e t i m e is co me t h at by t h e bles s in g of our,

God an d t h e support a n d e n deavors of on e a n o t h er

, ,

w e m ay rise t o a n d beco m e co m fort ed i n t h e pros p ec t

, ,

of n um bers bein g broug ht i n t o t h e t rut h as it is in

Jesus ,
“
To acco mp lish t his g lorious purpose w e have had a ,

m ee t in g of our frie n ds on t h e 6 t h of S e p t e m ber last a n d , ,

t aki n g t h e m at t er i n t o ou r m os t serious co n siderat io n it ,

w as t here a g re e d un a n i m ously t o appoin t four me m bers t o

draw up a n d lay be fore t h e professors of our b e lief a let t e r

for approbat io n Co p ies of w h ich w ere t o be t aken an d for
,
~

w arded t o t h e bre t hre n respect ively i n diff ere n t part s of

t h e con t in e n t ; a n d t his bei n g approved of w e in behalf , ,

of t he m a n d ourselve s r e qu es t you t o se n d on t o us your

,

opi n io n of calli n g a g e n eral co n ve n t io n of suit abl e p e r

son s t o m eet at so me suit able p lace on so me part icular
, ,

t i m e t o t ake our circu m st an ces a n d si t uat io n i n t o c on

,

siderat io n t hat w e may be e n abl e d t h ereby as much as

, ,

i n ou r po w er lie t h t o hav e O N E U N I F O R M M O D E O F D I V I N E
,

WO R S H I P O N E M E T H O D O F O R D A I N I N G S U I T A B L E PE R S O N S

T O T H E M I N I S T RY ; O N E C O N S I ST E N T WA Y OF AD M I N I ST ER

I NG T HE L O RD or w hat ever else m ay appear

’
S S U PPE R,
desirable t o a n y w he n such c o n v e n t io n m eet s havi n g ,

re g ard t o t h e pract ice of ou r S aviour by e n d e avorin g t o ,

build upo n t h e broadest basis of C h rist ian be n evol e n ce .

That t his m ay m ee t w it h your approbat io n a n d t h at ,

296 U NI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

the God of all g race an d w isdo m m ay bless t hese our

w eak e n deavors w e subscribe ourselves your bre t hre n i n
,

t h e u n iversal lo v e of t hat Redee m er w h o w ille t h all m e n

t o be saved an d com e t o t h e kn o w led g e of t h e t rut h .

WI L L I A M P E RK I N S ,

JAM E S M O O R E ,
Comm i t t e e
AN T H O N Y C U T H B E R T
.

,
“
I S R A E L IS R AE L ,

Favorabl e respo n se b e in g g iven t h e Con ve n t i on w a s ,

hel d in t h e M ee t in g house in L odg e Al ley c om me n c

‘

-
,

in g on t h e t w e n t y fif t h o f M ay 1 7 9 0 an d co n t in ued in
-
, ,

sess i o n t ill t h e eig ht h of Ju n e I t w as co m posed of .

seve n t een person s seve n of w ho m w ere preachers v i z

, , .
,

J oh n M urray Gl ouces t er M as s ; Du n can M c Le an

, , ,

Frederick Cou n t y V a ; M oses W i n ches t er Cohan sey

, , ,

N J. . Ar t i s S eag rave Pil e sg rove N J N i cho las Cox , , . .

,

K in g w ood N J William Wort h Pitt sgrov e N J

, .
, ,
. .

David E van s N e w Brit ai n P e n n

, The l ay m e n w ere ,
.

fro m Philadel ph ia W illi am Perkin s Ja m es M oore , , ,

An t ho n y C u t h b er t Israe l Israe l Thom as F it zg eral d ;

, ,

Coha n s ey N J Jedidiah Dav is ; Toms River N J

, . .
, ,
. .
,

W illi am Eugen e Imlay There w ere t hree o t hers .

,

w hose n ames are u n k n o w n as th e records are l ost , .

The churches represe n t ed w ere : Bost on G l oucest er , ,

M as s ; Freder ick Coun t y V a ; Cohan sey N J Pil es , ,

.

g rove a n d Pe n n sn e ck N J Ph i ladel ph ia N e w Brit ain

,
. .
, ,

Pe n n Rev Will iam Wor t h w as C hose n M ode ra t or

. .
,

a n d Rev A r t i s S eag rave C l erk

. The prin cipal b us i , .

n ess t ra n sac t e d w a s t h e adop t io n of ar t i c l es of fa it h ,

an d a p l a n of C hurch govern m e n t t h e co n s i dera t i on ,

1 For an a c c ou n t O f th e corre sp on de n ce w h ich f oll ow e d t h e issu i n g

of t his c ir c u l a r , s e e ar t icl e on U n iv e r sa list C on v e n t ion s an d C r e e ds,
in U n ive rsali st Q u a rt e rl y f or J a n u ar y ,
1 87 5 .
 A RT I C LES O F FAI TH .
297

of su n dry recom men dat i on s t o b e referred t o t h e ,

churches before fi n a l act ion a n d t h e appoin t me n t Of ,

John M urray an d William E ug en e Im lay t o presen t ,

a n address t o P reside n t Washin g t o n Wit h t h e e xc e p .

t io n of t h e address t hese mat t ers w ere at o n ce pu b

,

l is h e d in pa m ph l e t form an d su b se que n t ly repu bli shed

,

in Bos t on Bot h ed it i o n s have l on g been ou t of prin t

.
,

an d t h e fol l o w in g sy n ops i s is t herefore g i ven The .

I n t rod u ct ion is :
U n der a de e p s e n se of t h e un chan g eable an d u n i versal
love of G od t o m an ki n d in a Redee m er an d in humble ,

t h an kful n ess t o His ki n d provide n ce i n p erm i t t i n g us t o

asse m ble a n d d e liberat e ag reeably t o t h e dict at es of ou r
,

co n scie n ces w i t hout fear of civil or ecclesiast ical po w e r ;

,

WE t h e represe n t at ives of sun dry societ ies i n t h e U n it ed

,

S t at es believi n g i n t h e salvat io n of all m e n co n v e n ed

, ,

on t h e t w e n t y fif t h of M ay 1 7 90 i n t h e cit y of Phil a de l
-
, ,

ph ia by a n i n vit at io n from t h e bre t hre n i n t h e said cit y

, ,

h oldin g t h e s am e doc t ri n e a n d h avin g i mp lored t h e ,

d irect io n a n d blessi n g of G od upo n our e n d e avors t o

ext en d t h e kn o w ledg e of His n a me have ado p t ed t h e ,

foll o w in g Art icles an d Plan of Churc h Governm en t :

,

CHAPTE R I .

A RT I C L E S O F F AI T H .

S e ct . 1 . Of t h e H OL Y S c R I PT U R E s .
— We believe the
Script u res of t h e Ol dTest am e n t s t o con t ain a
an d N ew
re ve l at io n of t h e perfect io n s a n d w ill of God an d t h e ,

rule of fai t h a n d p r act ice .

S e ct 2. Of t h e S U PRE M E B E I N G
.
We believe i n
ON E G O D i n fi n it e i n all his perfec t io n s ; an d t hat t hese
,

perfect io n s are all m odificat io n s of i n fi n it e adorable , ,

i n co m prehe n sible an d u n chan g eable L O VE

,
.
2 98 UNI VERSALI SM I N A M ERI C A

S ect 3 . . Of t h e M E D I A T O R .
— We be lieve t hat t here
is ONE M E D I A T OR bet w een God an d man , th e man Christ
Jesus in w ho m dw ellet h all t h e ful n ess of t h e Godhe ad
,

bodily ; w h o by g iv i n g hi mself a ran som for all, hat h

,

redeeme d t hem t o God by his blood ; an d w h o, by t h e

m erit of his deat h, an d t h e e fficacy of his S pirit w ill ,

fi n ally re st ore t h e w hole h um an race t o happin ess .

S e c t 4 Of th e H OL Y G H O S T — We believe in t h e
. . .

H O L Y GH OST w hose office i t is t o make k n ow n t o sin

,

n ers t h e t rut h of t heir sal vat io n t hroug h t h e m e diu m of ,

t h e Holy S cr i pt ures, a n d t o reco n cile t h e he art s of t h e

childr en of me n t o God an d t hereby to di spose t he m t o
,

g en ui n e hol i n ess .

Se ct 5 Of G OO D WO R K S
. .
—We be lieve in t h e o bl i .

g at i on of t h e mora l l aw as t h e rule of l i fe ; an d w e,

hol d t hat t h e love of God man ifest t o man i n a Re

dee mer is t h e best mea n s of produc in g o bedien ce t o t h at
,

l a w an d promot i n g a ho ly act ive an d useful l i fe

,
”
, , .

Chapt er II con t ain s a Plan of Church G overn men t

.
,

s e t f ort h in n in e sec t i o n s em b rac in g t h e f o ll o w in g par

,

t ic l ars :
u
“
Of a Church The O ffi cers o f a Church T h e, ,

Ca ll an d Ordin at i on of t h e Offi cers o f a Chu rch Of ,

D iv in e Worsh i p Ordin an ces The Admis s ion an d E xclu

, ,

s ion o f M emb ers Of M arriag e Th e In st ruct i on of

, ,

Ch il dre n The Commun io n of Ch u rches

,
”
.

A chu rch w as de fin ed as co n s i st in g o f a n u mb er
“ ”

of b eli evers un it ed b y coven an t for t h e purposes of

, ,

main t a in in g th e publi c w orship o f G od t he preach in g ,

of t h e gospel ordain i n g officers preservin g order a n d

, ,

pea ce amon g it s memb ers an d reliev in g t h e poor ,

.

The o ffi cers w ere bi shops an d deaco n s The .

”

wr m s bishop e l der min is t er past or an d t eacher

”
, , , , ,

w ere he l d to b e t h e same in t en ded on l y t o expres s

“
,
 P LAN OF C HURCH G O VE RNM ENT . 2 99

the d iff ere n t capaci t ies in w hi ch t he sa me officer is

called t o a ct Each church w a s empo w ered t o dec i de
.

on t h e
“
call qual ificat i on s an d g ift s of t hose w h o
, , ,

w ish t o d evo te t h ems e l ves t o God i n t h e m in is t r

y an d ,

t o so l e m n ly se t apar t a n d ordai n such perso n s an d a

cert ifica t e of such appoin t me n t sh all b e t o t hem a su fh

cie n t ordin at ion t o preach t h e g ospel an d t o admin is t er ,

such ordin a n ces herein aft er men t ion ed as t o t hem may

, ,

see m proper w herever t hey m ay be called b y D i v in e

,

Providen ce .

Deaco n s S hall be chose n by t h e m e m bers of t h e

church a n d ordain ed i n like m an n er as bishops or
,

m in is t ers
. Their busin ess — besi des receivi n g a n d a p
p l y i n g t h e p ious a n d chari t able co n t ribut io n s of t h e
churc h f or t h e sup p o rt of t h e laborers of t h e g osp e l ,

a n d t h e relief of t h e poor — shall be t o at t e n d t o t h e

secular affai r s of t h e C h urch t o ke ep a n exact r e g ist er of

,

all t h e perso n s w h o sh all be born bapt ized adm it t ed t o , ,

co mm un io n m arried or w h o shall re m ove or die b e lo n g

, , ,

i n g t o t h e soci e t y also an accou n t of t h e ad m issio n an d

,

dis m ission of m e m bers a n d of all t h e busin ess of t h e

,
”
chu rch .

W it h reg ard t o t h e ord in an ces n on e w ere in sist ed ,

on as Obl ig a t ory ; for as a d i versit y of op i n io n had pre

,

vail ed in all ag es of t h e church in rega rd t o t hem , ,

an d as t h is di vers i t y o f op in i o n s has oft e n b ee n t h e

“

mean s of d iv i din g Chris t ian s w h o w ere un it ed b y t h e ,

sa m e sp irit in more esse n t ia l art ic les t h is pl an pro

.
,

posed an d ag reed t o admit a l l such person s w h o hol d

t h e art i cles of our fait h a n d ma i n t ai n g ood w orks in t o
, ,

m e m b ersh ip w hat ever t he i r op in i o n s m a y b e as t o t h e

,

”
n a t ure for m or ob lig at i o n of an y of t h e
, ,
ordin an ces .

I t w as fur t her a g reed t hat if a church b elievin g in t h e

, ,
30 0 UNI VERS A LI SM I N A M ERI C A .

ordin an ces shoul d have a min is t er w h o cou l d n ot per

,

form t hem co n t rary t o h i s con sc i e n ce “

a n e ig hb orin g ,
”

m in i s t er w h o S ha ll ho l d lik e prin c ipl es respec t in g t h e

,

ordi n an ce or ordin a n ces re qu i red by an y memb er S hall ,

b e in v it ed t o perform t he m ; or if it b e t hough t more ,

exped ie n t each church may appo in t or ordain on e of

, , ,

t heir ow n mem b ers t o adm in is t er t h e ord in a n ces in such

”
w ay as t o each church may seem proper .

There w as a l so t h e f ollo w in g sec t io n ou

T he I n s t ru ct i on f
o Ch i ldr e n — We believe it t o be
the du t y of all pare n t s t o i n st ruct t heir children i n t h e
pri n ciples of t h e g ospel as t h e best m ean s t o in spire
,

t he m w it h t h e love of virt ue an d t o pro m ot e i n t h e m ,

g ood m an n ers a n d habi t s of i n dus t ry a n d sobrie t y

,
As .

a n ecessary i n t roduct ion t o t h e kn o w led g e of t h e g ospel ,

w e reco mm e n d t h e i n s t it ut io n of a school or schools t o , ,

be un der t h e direct io n of ev e ry church ; i n w hich shall be

t au g ht readi n g w rit in g arit h m et ic a n d psal m ody
, , We , .

reco m men d fu rt her t hat provisio n be m ade for i n st ruct

, ,

i n g poor childre n in t h e s a id schools g r a t i s

, As t h e , .

fulles t discove r y of t h e perfect io n s a n d w ill of God an d ,

of t h e w hole dut y of m an is co n t ai n e d i n t h e Bible w e

, ,

w is h t hat divin e book t o be read by t h e yout h of ou r

c hurche s a s e a rly a n d frequ e n t ly as possible ; a n d t hat

t hey shoul d be i n s t ruct ed t herei n at s t at ed m ee t in g s

appoi n t ed for t hat purpose ” .

T h e com m u n i on of t h e ch u r ch e s w a s t o be ae co m
’

pl i s h e d by a co n ven t io n of t h e church e s held a n n ually

‘

by deput ies or messe n g ers t o i n quire in t o an d report

, , ,

t h e s t at e of each church respec t in g t h e ad m issio n of

,

m e mbers an d t h e pro g r e ss of t h e g ospel ;

,
an d t o

se n d fort h m i n ist ers t o propag at e t h e g ospel i n places

w here i t had n ot bee n re g ularly preached an d t hereby t o ,

for m an d est ablish n e w churches .

’
 RE COM M END ATI ONS . 3 01

Al l t h e g e n eral act s of t h e con ve n t io n w hich relat e

t o t h e in t eres t of p art icular chur ch es, shal l b e issued on ly
.

”
by w ay of ad vice or recom m e n dat ion .

Chapt er III w as call ed Re comme n dat i on s an d c on

.
,

t ain e d five sect i on s on t h e foll o w in g s u bj ect s

, War ,

Go in g t o Law Hol d in g Sl aves Oat hs Su b mi ssi on t o

, , ,

Gover n m e n t The on e of great est hi s t orica l in t eres t

.
”
,

as sho w in g t heir oppos it i on t o human b on dage w as ,

Of H old in g S l a ves : — We
believe i t t o b e i n con sist en t
w it h t h e u n ion of t h e hum an race in a co mmo n S aviour ,

an d t h e obli g at io n s t o m ut ual an d un iversal love w hich

fl o w fro m t hat u n ion t o hold an y p art of our fello w

,

creat ures in bo n da g e We t h erefore reco mmen d a t ot al

.

r efrain i n
g fro m t h e Africa n t rade an d t h e adopt io n of
,

prud e n t m e asures for t h e g radual abolit io n of t h e slav e ry

of t h e n e g r oes i n our cou n t ry an d for t h e in st ruct ion
,

a n d e ducat io n O f t heir c h ildre n i n E n g li sh lit erat ure

, ,

an d i n t h e pr i n ciples of t h e g ospel .

The pamphl et c l oses w it h a circu l ar l et t er addressed ,

To t h e E l ders an d Bret hren in t h e same Be lief

t hroug ho u t t h e Un it ed St a t es o f Ameri ca I t said .

of t h e “ Art icles o f Fa it h a n d Plan o f Church Gov

e rn me n t

T h e Art ic les are f e w , bu t t hey

con t ain t h e esse n t ials
of t h e g ospel We t h ou ght it improper t o require a n
.

asse n t t o opin io n s t hat are m erely specul at ive or t o in t ro ,

duce w or ds in expressin g t h e art icles of ou r belief w hich

, ,

have bee n t h e cause of un christ ian con t rovers i es The .

p lan of church g overn m e n t is n early t hat of t h e C on g r e

g at i on al Church We con ceive i t t o be m ost frien dly
.

t o Chr i s t i a n l ibert y, an d m os t ag reeabl e t o t h e w ord of

God ” .
30 2 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

I t w ill be ot i ced t ha t in t his “ Form O f Church

n ,

Govern men t t h e Con ven t io n made n o ru l es for it se l f

,
”
,

bu t o n l y for t h e churches of w h ich it m ight b e com

posed I t s ow n l aw s w ere s i mp ly Ru les of Order
.
,
”

vari ous ly modified at each sess i on as cir cums t an ces

re q uir ed .

Tha t t h e co n cl usi on s emb od ied in t hese art i c l es an d

p lan s for t h e churches w ere n ot hast il y reached n or
, ,

w it hou t th e g i v in g up o f some s t ron g perso n a l prefer

e n ce s for t h e sake of u n it y of e ff or t may b e presumed

, ,

from w hat w e kn ow of t h e len gt h o f t h e sessio n an d of ,

t h e co m pos it i o n of th e Con ve n t i o n The Rellya n s w ere .

in t h e m in ori ty an d y e t m uch of t h e phraseo l og y of

,

t he se Art i c l es Pl an an d Reco m me n da t i on s is decided ly

, , ,

Re llyan Th i s is part i cu larl y n ot iceable i n t h e sec t ion

.

re l at in g t o t h e ordin an ces an d in t h e reco m me n dat i on

,

i n reg ard t o slavery John M urray an d t h e Glouces t er

.

Un iversali st s w ere Opposed t o w at er b ap t is m Th i s .

t hey had d i s t i n c t l y avo w ed in t he i r co n t roversy w i t h

t h e F i rs t Pari sh an d had t es t ified at t h e t ria l s t o
,

recover th e t a x m o n ey : We d i st i n g u i sh ourse l ves

fro m t h e church u n der t h e in s t ruct ion of M r Forb es .
,

by our n ot usin g b apt i sm as an ext ern al rit e 1

Rev ”
.

Dav i d E van s Thomas Fi t zg eral d an d perhaps on e o t her

, ,

de l eg a te fro m t h e Ph il ade l ph ia Church w ere w it h M r , ,

.

M urray t h e o n ly represe n t a t ives of t ha t Op in i on in t h e

,

Co n ve n t ion . Al l t h e o t hers w ere co n ver t s fro m t h e

Bap t i st s re t a in in g all t he ir former v ie w s except w it h
, ,

refere n ce t o t h e ex t en t an d e ffi cacy of t h e at o n emen t .

The Charit y an d lib eralit y of such a maj or it y challe n ges

our admirat i o n .

1 A ppe al t o t he I mpart ial Pu bl ic , p 1 3 . .

 DR . J
B EN AM I N RUSH . 303

The compos it ion of t h e Art i cl es o f Fait h Pl an an d , ,

Recomm en dat io n s w as n o dou bt e n t rust ed t o a c om

, , ,

m it t e e an d t hey w ere t he n referred t o Dr Ben j am in

,
.

Rush for revi s i on an d arran g e m en t Ou r au t horit y for .

t his la t t er s t a t eme n t is h i s ow n dec l ara t io n recorded ,

in a vol um e of ma n uscri p t s e n t it led Lett ers an d

Thoug h t s n ow preserved in t h e Ridg w ay b ran ch of
,
”

t h e Phi l ade l ph i a L ib rary I n it he m akes t his e n t ry .

1 7 9 0 Ju n e 5
, Thi s morn in g I delivered t o t h e C on
.

v e n t i on of t h e U n i versa l Church i n t h e Lod e

g (t heir
church ) a copy of t heir Art icles an d P la n of Govern
m en t w h i ch at t heir request I correct ed an d arran g ed
, , ,

for t hem for t h e m eet in g I saw an d w a s in t roduced t o .

, ,

t h e Rev M r Joh n M urray

. . Dr Rush w as a Win ches . .

te ria n U n i vers a l i s t an d as w i ll b e see n far t her on had

, , ,

l on g cheri shed a feelin g of d i sl ike t o M r M urray He"

. .

adds Sa w h im an d h i s w ife on t h e 6 t h I n our c on .

versat ion he remarked t hat in reform in g man k in d t h e , ,

in flue n ce of t h e follo w in g descript i on of peop l e w as n e c

e ssary a n d in t h e order t hey are arran ged : 1
,
Women ; .

2 S choolm ast ers ; 3 M in i st ers ; 4 M ag i s t ra t es

. . He . .

t o l d m e t ha t w he n he w e n t t o Bos t o n t w e n t y years ,

ag o t her e w as n ot on e Un i versalis t i n t ha t t o w n
, N ow .

”
t hey h a d a church t here .

The Art ic les of Fait h al t houg h couched in l an guage ,

t ha t may see m t o b e design ed l y am big uous m ak in g ,

all o w an ce for a l arg e divers it y of opin i on t o be en t er

t a i n e d b y t hose w h o shou l d accep t t hem as a commo n
pla t form w ere n o dou b t in t en ded as a st at e m e n t of t h e
,

Tri n it ar ian is m of t h e Co n ve n t io n Th is i s ev iden t from .

t h e su b seque n t act i o n of t h e Ph i lade l ph i a church org an ,

iz e d by t h e u n ion of t h e M u rray it e s an d Win ch e s t eri an s ,

304 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

in Ju l y , 1 7 9 0 , w h i ch
o n ce accep t ed th e Ar t i cl es in
at ,

ruli n g ou t t h e app licat io n of an avo w ed Un it aria n for

m em bersh ip on t h e groun d t hat t he ir C reed w oul d n ot
,

a ll ow t he m t o ac cept h im The Philadel ph ia church .

,

w ri t in g t o Georg e R i chards M arch 1 4 1 7 9 2 sa i d , , ,

No doubt Bro t her Gordon m e n t ion ed t o you a M r .

Pal m er w h o w as preachin g w it h us w hen he left t his ci t y

for Bost o n This you n g m an o ffered hi m self t o beco me
.

a m em ber of our church bu t before t h e t i me for ad mit ,

t in g h i m his se n t im e n t s w ere suspec t ed O f bei n g S oci n ia n ,

if n ot Deist ical He w as accordi n gly exa m in ed an d c on

.
,

fessed t hat he di d believe Jesus t o be t h e n at ural son of

Joseph an d M ary be g o t t en by ord in ary g e n erat io n This
,
.

m ade his m e m bership w it h us i n adm issible a t t hat t i m e .

He st ill co n t in ues t h e sam e a n d hat h w it hdr aw n fro m ,

us a n d hat h g ot t e n ot her places t o pre ach i n w here he

, ,

ca n preach t hat se n t i me n t freely an d t hat t o cro w ded ,

audien ces .

The person t hus re ferred t o w as Elih u Pal mer a ,

n a t ive of Can t er b ury Co n n b orn in 1 7 64 He has

, , .

b ee n call ed a deis t an d pro b ably w as so l at er in li fe ;

,

bu t in 1 7 9 2 h i s d i s b el ie f in t h e doct rin e of t h e Trin it y

w ou l d have b ee n lik e l y t o ha ve g a in ed h i m t h e repu t a

t io n of b e in g a de i s t eve n if he had professed u n w a v e r

,

i n g fait h in reveal ed re lig i o n Den i ed t h e fell o w sh ip .

of t h e U n i versali st s M r Pal mer w it h a f e w fol l o w ers

,
.
, ,

O b t a in ed a room in Church Alley an d commen ced ,

preach in g t here i n M arch 1 7 9 1 S ome w here in 1 7 88 , .

or 1 7 89 Joh n Fitch t h e i n ven t or of t h e s t eamb oat

, , ,

a n d He n ry V o i h t h i s assoc i a t e i n t ha t e n t erpr i se w h o
g , ,

w ere avo w ed de i s t s b e li ev in g as t hey c l a imed o n l y in

, , ,

t h e God of N a t ure d i scovered from co n versat i on w i t h

“ ”
,
 ELI HU P ALM ER .
305

o thers t hat t here w ere a su ffic ien t n umber o f perso n s in

Ph iladel phi a in sympa t hy w it h t heir v i ew s t o j us t ify
an at t emp t at an or an iz at io n I t w as n ot ho w ever
g .
, ,

t il l Feb ruary 1 7 9 0 t hat t hey succeeded in perf ect in

, ,
g
t he i r p l an s an d org an iz ed w hat t hey ca ll ed
, The U n i
versal Soci et y I n order t o separa t e t hemse lves an d
.

t he ir soc ie t y as m uch as poss ibl e from a ll C hris t ian in

fl u e n ce s it w as reso lved a m o n g the mem b ers t o cease
,

t h e u se of An n o Dom in i an d t o date t he ir era from t h e ,

es bl ishmen t of The Un iversal Soci et y

t a
”
.

The an n ou n cem en t t hat M r Pal m er w as t o preach on .

t h e dat e a b ove m e n t ion ed a n d t h e c ir cums t an ces u n der

,

w h i ch h i s meet in g w as he l d at t ract ed m u ch a tt en t i on ,

t hroug hou t P h il adelph i a an d “ The Un i versal Soc i e t y ”

,

w h i ch at t h at t i m e n u mb ered for t y memb ers espec i a l l y ,

in t eres t ed t hemse l ves t o give t h e persecut ed man as ,

t hey s t y l ed h i m a ll t h e a i d in t he ir pow er an d if pos

, , ,

s ibl e w in h im over t o t hemse lves The room w here

, .

t h e meet in g w as he l d w as t herefore cro w ded “

The ,

U n iversa l Societ y i t m ay b e supposed b ein g presen t in

, ,

full st ren g t h M r Palm er preached from M i cah v i 8

. . .

Do j ust l y l ove mercy an d w al k hum bly w it h t h y God

, , .

I n th e sermon he com b at ed t h e dogm a of t he de it y o f

Chris t an d t h e success of t h e eff ort w a s such t hat n ot ice
w as gi ven t hat on t h e suc ce ed in g S un day he w ou l d prea ch

a a in Thi s an n oun ce m en t w it h t h e att e n dan t c ircum

g .
,

stan ces exc it ed much feelin g re m o n s t ran ce an d heat ed

, , ,

O ppos it i on on t h e part O f t h e l eadi n g Ch ri s t ian peop l e

in t h e c i t y B ishop Whit e w as prom in en t in th e cru

.

sade again s t t h e movemen t ; an d al t houg h th e o w n er

o f t h e room in w h ich t h e meet in g s w ere b ein g hel d w as
a mem b er o f The Un iversal S oci et y he cou ld n ot
V OL . I . 20
30 6 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

res i st t h e pressure b rough t ag ain st h im bu t closed h i s ,

doors aga in st t h e peop le on t h e day fixed f or t h e secon d

serm o n The U n iversal Soc iet y
. soo n ceased t o
exi st 1 .

M r Pa lm er t hen w e n t t o N e w Y ork f or a w h il e a n d
-

. ,

aft er w ards ret urn in g t o Phil adel phi a w a s at t acked b y ,

t h e yell o w fever in 1 7 9 3 a n d b ecame t ot all y blin d

,
He .

ag ain removed t o N e w Y ork w here he b ecam e t h e head

,

of t h e Col um bi an I llumin at i es t ablis hed in 1 80 1 ,

”
.

He d ied in P h iladelph ia in 1 80 6 .

These fac t s w it h regard t o E lih u Pal mer have b een

n arra t ed ch iefly b ecause Dr Fra n cis in h i s Ol d N e w “
.
,

York ( p 9 1 ) speaks of t h e b eg in n in g of t h e Un i versa l

”
.

i st m ove m e n t in N e w Y ork c it y as b e in g in aug ura t ed b y

Ed w ard M it chel l an d Will ia m Pa l m er w h o dre w t o ,

g et her a m os t respec t ab l e b ody of b eli evers an d t hen

g oes on t o say t hat Pa l m er co m me n ced h i s w ork i n N e w

York bu t proceeded t o Philadel phi a for t h e purpose of
,

t he s t udy an d prac t i ce of t h e l a w t ook t h e yell o w fever ,

of 1 7 9 3 becam e t o t ally bl in d an d gave up h i s l a w pur

, ,

suit s Re t urn ed t o N e w Y ork an d resumed preach in g

.
,

in 1 7 96 ; an d di ed in Phil ade l ph i a of p l euris y in t h e , ,

w in t er of 1 80 5 or

The s im il arit y of t hese circumst an ces o f s i ck n ess ,

bl in d n ess an d t ime an d p lace of deat h in d i cat e t hat

, ,

Eli hu an d Wil liam Pal mer w ere t h e sam e perso n bu t

t h e fac t Of associat io n w it h E d w ard M it chel l an ih ,

t en se l y prej udi ced Tr in it ari an in b u il d in g up U n i versal

,

i sm l n N e w York i s g roun d for pos it i ve con v i c t i on t ha t

,

eit her Dr Fran c i s has made a m i s t ake in hi s n arrat ive or

.
,

1 y of P h il adel phi by T homp

His t or a, son We st cott , ch ap . cccl x xx n .
,

in t h e Ph il d l ph ia S a day D i pat h M
e un s c ,
a
y 9 , 1 85 4 .
 ELI HU PALM ER . 30 7

t hat Pal mer ceased t o b e a Un it arian M r M it ch e ll s n ar . .

’

re t ive o f h is w ork in N e w York y e t t o b e g iven in t hese ,

pages makes n o men t io n of M r Pa lm er Rev N at han i e l

, . . .

St acy in h i s
, M emo i rs (p says that Rev J oh n
. .

M urray w as in at t e n dan ce a t t h e N e w En g la n d con ve n

t i on in 1 80 4 at St ur b ri dge M ass an d t ha t
, , he came .
,

i n compan y w it h a m an from t h e c it y o f N e w Y ork b y

t h e n ame of Pa l mer w h o als o deli vered on e di scourse
, .

The Trin i t arian in t en t Of t h e Ar t icl es o f Fait h i s fur

t her evi den t from t h e act i on of some o f t h e churches in
fell ow sh i p w it h t h e con ven t ion as w ill b e more f u lly ,

presen t ed hereaft er in adopt i n g as suppl emen t al t o

, ,

t hese art i c l es o t hers w hich exp l ici t ly se t fort h exp l ain ;

, ,

an d de f en d Un it ari a n vie w s O n t h e o t her han d it

.
,

mu s t b e sai d t hat t h e Trin it arian doct rin e w as so m il dly

st a t ed t hat t h e Art i cl es of Fait h w ere o bj ect ed t o in
a n o t her q uart er as b ein g a v i rt ual den ial of t h e De it y
,

of Chri s t Thus M r M urray w rit es t o a P hil adelph ia

.
,
.

frie n d from Bost o n I n 1 7 9 1

We have me t w it h so m e difficult y i n formin g our
chu rch in t h i s pl ace fro m a g ood old fri en d w h o t hi n k , ,

in g t h e lan guag e of con ve n t ion n ot sufficie n t ly clear an d

st ron g i n est ablishin g t h e doct ri n e O f t h e div i n it y [deity ]
of our S avi our w ished t o m ake som e am e n dm e n t s i n t h e
,

ar t icles of fait h b efore he could S i g n t hem I cou ld n ot .

ive m co se t t o an alt era t io n i n as m u ch as t h e l an

g y n n y ,

ua e w S crip t ral d I o n ceived s u fficie n t ly cle ar

g g a s u an ,c , ,

an d full t o t h e purp ose an d t hat t o al t er t h e art i cl es, I

,

feared w ould be con st rued as a t acit declarat io n t hat w e

,

suppose d t h e me mbers of t h at co n ve n t io n n ot soun d i n

t h e fait h M r Richards heart ily join e d w it h m e , so t h at
. .

aft er man y eve n i n g s debat e o n ly on e j o i n ed w i t h our

’
,

old fri en d, an d up w ards of fort y m ale me mbers adopt ed

3 08 U NI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

t he art i cles of con ve n t ion as t h e art icles of t heir fait h ,

n ot as t h e art icles of co n ve n t io n b u t as t h e oracles of ,

God We are n ow i n a fair w ay of g oin g on t houg h i n

.
,

o rder t o m ake peace w e m ust l e t t his g ood old frie n d do

so m et hin g by w ay of addit io n a n d t h e n w e shall g o on , ,

I t rust peaceably an d t herefore prosperously

, , .

M urray call ed h imsel f a Trin it arian an d on on e

r . M ,

occasio n speaks of t h e t ri u n e God as in vo l ii p 3 7 0 ,

”
. . .
,

of h i s pu bli shed Let t ers

It
is t rue t hat every part of t h e w orks of God are
mys t erious an d t h at n o n e by Se arch in g ca n fin d ou t God
, ,

bu t as far as I c a n co m prehe n d myself I can cat ch a ,

g li mpse of t h e g race exhibit ed by t his t riun e Bei n g c on ,

sis t in g of body soul a n d spirit m ade in t h e i m a g e of

, , ,

God of t h e t riun e God ”

, .

Thi s is compari son how ever w h i ch is sheer folly

a , ,

on t h e A t han as i an or N i cen e defi n it i o n of t h e Tr in it y ;

a n d M r M urray s i dea of t h e supreme dei t y o f Chr is t

’
.

al o n e w h o is Fat her Word or Hol y Gh ost accord in g

, , , ,

t o m an i fes t at i on w as pure Sa b e llia n ism ; a n d as ge n

,

e ra l l y p u t for t h b y h i m w as ide n t i cal w it h t h e v i ew s of

,

Sw eden b org on t h i s subj ect Gen erally he w as very .

severe in his est ima t e an d t rea t m e n t of t hose w h o e n

t e r t ain e d S ocin i a n ideas bu t a t t imes he w as more ,

charit a ble Th i s w a s n o t i ceably t h e case in h i s adv i ce

.

t o t h e Ph il ade l ph i an s in reg ard t o t h e ma n n er in w h i ch

M r Pa l mer ough t t o b e t rea t ed b y t he m
. I suppose .
,

he w ro t e t o h i s most in t im at e frie n d i n t hat cit y in

reg ard t o M r Pal mer he w ill p l ease some ; bu t i f he
“
.
,

is an yt h in g t o l erabl e don t fin d fau l t I ad mire your ’

.

con duct h it hert o ; rememb er w e n ever cat ch b irds b y

t hro w in g s t o n es at t hem .
 B A T I ST P C OM P LAI NT S . 30 9

We have all uded t o t h e fact t hat t h e maj orit y of t h e

m em b ers of t h e co n ve n t i on w ere co n vert s from t h e
Bapt i sts I n t h e record of even t s b e t w een 1 7 80 an d
.

1 7 9 0 i n Be n edic t s Ge n eral H i st ory of t h e Bap t ist

’ “
,

Den om in a t io n (v ol i p i s th e foll ow in g . . .

Durin g t his perio d a n um ber of m in ist ers an d w it h ,

t h e m a co n siderable n u m be r of bret hre n , fell i n w i t h

E lh an a n Win ches t er s n ot io n of u n iversal rest orat io n ’
.

T h e rag e for t his doct ri n e prevailed for a t i m e t o a c on

s i de r a b
”
l e ext en t .

I n the Hi st ory of t h e Philadelphia Bapt ist A ssoci

at ion by Rev H G Jo n es pu blis hed in The Worl d
,
”
. . .
,
“

of 1 83 2— 33 occurs t h e fo l lo w in g
,

The y ear 1 7 9 0 prese n t s n o j oyful aspect Clouds .

a n d s t orm s t or n adoes a n d volca n ic e rupt ion s echoed

, ,

an d r e ec h oed fro m D a n t o Beersheba

-
T h e doct ri n e of .

a g e n eral provisio n like an un exp ect ed pest ile n ce or as

,
’
,

t h e i n sidious fat al s a mou l of A frica cam e am o n g so m e

, ,

of t h e C hurc h es Whet h er it w a s i n dig e n ous or exot ic t h e

.
,

arch ives of t h e day do n ot in for m us This w e k n o w it .

,

led on t o Un ivers alis m a de pot t o w hich it a s n at urally ,

t e n ds as a w ei g ht i n m ot io n on a n i n clin ed p la n e rush e s
on t o t h e lo w es t poi n t of des t i n at io n Cap e M ay a n d .

Pit t s g r ov e church es w ere so n early ruin ed by a g e n e r al

at o n e m e n t w hich e n ded in U n iversalism t hat s carce ly
,
’
,

an y t hi n g co u ld be see n in t hei r borders bu t t h eir t ears ,

a n d scarcely an y t hi n g coul d be heard b ut t h e ir si ghs

an d g roan s A n d t o add t o t h e cala mit y N icholas Cox
.
, ,

a preach e r a t K i n g w ood n ow g ro w n w iser t han h i s ,

fat h e r s m ou n t ed on t h e f r act ion s st eed of g e n eral pro

,
‘

visio n a n d rode furiously on t o t h e barren hopeless

,
’
, ,

desola t e plain s of U n iversalism ” .

Of Revs . N icho las Cox an d W ill iam Wort h , th e

3 10 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

f oll ow i n g format i on i s g ive n in Rev Ab el C Thomas

in . .
'

“
Ce n t ury o f Un iversalis m (pp 4 0—4 5 ) ”
.

Re v N icholas Cox
. Philadelphi a i n 1 7 42
w as born in ,

bu t of w hat lin eag e w e kn o w n ot He becam e a Bapt ist .

i n N e w J e rsey w here he m in is t e r ed t o g ood accept an ce

,

w i t h several socie t ies for a n u m b e r of ye ars K in g w ood .

,

Wan t ag e an d ot her places i n Warre n an d S ussex Coun

,

ti es have bee n m e n t ion ed as t h e sce n es of his reside n ce

,

a n d labors ; b u t O f on e t hi n g w e m ay i n fere n t ial ly be .

sure : he w as hi g hly re g ar ded amo n g t h e Bapt ist s as on e

of t heir best a n d t alen t ed m e n else t h e aut hor of t h e ,

fore g o in g t irade w o u ld n ot have so deeply mour n ed his

co n versio n t o Un iversalism At t h e sacrifice of ease .
,

a n d of social co n sider at io n he op e n ly avo w ed t h e sub

,

li m e con vict io n of h e a d a n d h eart an d co n t in ued st eadfast ,

an d rejoici n g t o t h e e n d .

He spen t t h e larg er part of his life as a preacher i n , ,

t h e c oun t ies above me n t io n ed an d hi s n am e it m ay be

, ,

seen freque n t ly occurs i n t h e m in ut es of t h e Ph il ade l

,

phia Co n ve n t io n He w a s at t h e first sessio n i n 1 7 90

.
,

an d a t n in e session s besides of t h e series ,

Alt hou g h he .

received in vit at io n s t o set t le , he n ever beca me a p ast or

amo n g t h e U n iversalist s bu t p reached as a self appoi n t ed
,
-

m issio n ary — rat her, I should s ay a divin ely ordain ed

, ,
-

evan g elist .

I n 1 80 8 w hile in M arylan d he received a challe n g e

, , ,

fro m a Presbyt eri an clergy man t o hold a public discus ,

s io n .S uch w a s t h e defeat of t h e oppon e n t O f Un iver

s al i s m t hat t h e a u die n ce be gg ed h i m t o qui t t h e field
, ,

a n d n ot ve n t ure an o t her challe n g e .

He spen t t h e sum mers of 1 80 9 an d 1 81 0 in Virg in ia ,

w here he defi n ed a C ircuit for hi m self an d zealously ,

published t h e g ood t idi n g s of a w orld redee m ed I t is .

t h e u n iform t es t i m o n y of t radi t io n t hat he w a s a close

r e aso n er, a g ood n ei ghbor an d a n hon est m an He c on
,
.
 WI LLI AM WORT H . 311

t i n n ed t o preach t ill w it hin t hree or four years of his

de at h w h ich occurred in M an sfield Warre n Coun t y N J
, , , .

M arch 2 0, 1 82 6 a g ed e i g ht y four ,
-
.

S o g e n eral w as t h e expect at io n t hat he w o ul d r e l i n

qu i s h h i s fait h, in t h e dyin g ho u r t hat eve n his s on w as ,

an xious in reg ard t o t h e result H e t herefore t ook u p On .

him self t o att e n d perso n all y upo n his fat her du rin g t h e ,

las t illn ess of t h e old U n iversalist There w a s m uch .

con vers at io n bet w een t he m bu t n ot a doubt w as exh ib

i t e d by t h e dyin g sain t ; a n d t o t h e freque n t in quiries of
his s on be un iformly an sw ere d in t h e fuln ess Of h e ave n ly
,

t rus t .

“
Rev Willia m Wort h w as M oderator of t h e Con ven t io n
.

. i
of 1 7 9 0 I n t h e H st ory of e Jersey I fin d t hat a
N w ‘ ’
,
‘

Bapt ist Ch urch w as fou n ded in Pit t sg rov e about 1 7 43

The hist orian aft er n am i n g several past ors adds t his
, ,

Rev William Wort h t hen t ook t h e charg e a n d t h e

.
,

co n g re g at ion in creased co n si derably un der his mi n is t ra

t io n u n t il he b ecame de e ply e n g a g e d i n lan d speculat ion
,

i n t h e back coun t ry ; an d t h e O pin ion b eco mi n g curre n t

t hat he had become t i n ct ured w i t h U n iversalis m t h e ,

con g reg at ion dw in dled aw ay alm ost t o n ot hin g . .

’

Th ere is n o i mput at ion of w ron g i n t h e busin ess -

t ran sact io n s referred t o an d I suspect t hat t h e falli n g

,
.

a w ay of t h e co n gre g at io n w a s r at h e r due t o t h e h ost ilit y

'

of t h e chur ch di gn it aries in Philadelphia t han t o t h e ,

i n t ellig e n t free w ill of t h e people i n Pit t sg rov e — a V i e w

-

w hich see m s t o be co n fir m e d by a pa mphle t t h e t it l e ,

of w hi ch i s in t h e marg in l The first parag raph is as .

follo w s
There lat ely appeared in t h e m in ut es of t h e Bapt ist
,

1 Mr . Wort h ’
s P
Appeal t o t h e u bl ic , in An sw e r t o a la t e u bli cat ion P
ag ai n st h im b y t h e B ap t ist A s s oc iat i on at h i P
l ade l phia , w h e re in his
S e n t im e n t s , as B e l ie vin g t he U n ive r sal L ov e of G od in t h e Re st ora t ion
of a ll t h e Hu man Race , are B r ie fl St a ed
t
”
yI mprin t , hil a de l phi a,
. P
1 7 90 , pp . 30 .
3 12 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

A ssociat io n , a dvert ise me n t c a ut io n in g t h e churches of

'

an

t h a t de n o m i n at ion t o be w are of m e as also of t h e Rev ,

.

“
M r S ea g rave
. Their w o rds are
. A s w e h a d reaso n
t o fear a t t h e last Associat io n t h at M r Wort h of Pi t t s
, ,
.
,

g rove w a s far g o n e i n t h e doct ri n e of U n iv e rsal S al v a

,

t io n w e a r e w ell c e r t ified by u n doubt e d aut horit y t hat

, , ,

he is n ow fully i n t hat belief We t h erefore t o sho w .

, ,

our abh o rren ce of t hat doct ri n e an d of his disin g e n uous ,

con duct for a lon g t i m e pas t caut io n our churches t o ,

be w are of h im an d of Art is S eag rave of t h e sam e place

, , ,

also w h o has espoused t h e sam e doct ri n e

,
.

“ Fro
m t h e clear an d can did revie w by M r Wort h I .
,

m ake t h e follo w i n g ext rac t s :

If m y b ret hre n i n t h e m i n is t ry had reason t o fear
t h at I w a s i m bibi n g w ro n g n ot io n s a y e ar a g o as t hey ,

say t hey had in t h e above recit ed m i n ut e w h y did t hey

,
-
,

n ot en de a vor t o reclai m m e Why did t hey n ot at least

e n deavor t o poi n t ou t t o m e t h e evil of m y se n t im e n t s ,

an d w he rei n t hey w ere i n co n sis t e n t w i t h t h e w ord of

G od T h is ho w ever t hey have n ever at t e m pt ed Paul

, , .

exhort ed Tit us “ aft er t he firs t an d seco n d ad m o n it io n

, ,

t o r e ject a here t ic bu t I a m reject ed w it h out a n y In .

a civil cour t n o m an c a n be co n de m n ed w it hout a fair t ri al

, ,

a n d bei n g heard i n his ow n d ef e n ce M y bre t hre n h ow .

,

e ver did n ot allo w m e t h at liber t y b

, u t con de m n ed m e ,

w i t hout a t rial or eve n so much as g ivin g m e n o t ice of i t

’
, .

Dr Jo n es it see ms had se n t a let t e r t o t h e church

.
, ,

i n Pit t s gr ov e by request of t h e A ssociat i o n i n w hich he

, ,

sai d so m e hard t h in g s n o less of M r Wort h t han of, .

U n iversalis m w arn i n g t h e people t o be on t heir g uard

, .

‘
A s your n umber is already s m all it w ill be a pit y ,

t here should be a divisio n as t here w as i n Phil a de l ,

phi a ; referri n g w it h ou t doubt t o t h e schis m u n der

’
, ,

E lhan an Win ches t er i n 1 7 81 The Doct or t he n i n sin

.
‘

u a t e s t hat I h a d ac t ed u n der cover t an d disin en uously

’
g , ,

w hich is a n sw ered as follo w s This charg e is bot h ‘

 WI LLI AM WORT H . 3 13

u n g e n erous a n d false a n d w h e r e I a m k n o w n can d o

, , ,

m e n o h arm T h eir o n ly sup p ort O f t h e ch arg e is t h at

.
,

if t hese w ere m y se n t i me n t s w h y did n ot I co n fess i t ,

T O w hic h I re p ly : l s t I t is i m possible for a n y h o n es t

.

m a n t o co n fe ss se n t im en t s before he believes t he m .

2 d I t w ould be foolish i n a n y m an t o do i t b e fore h e

.

had exam i n ed t h e m i n a ll t he ir part s so as t o be able ,

t o defe n d t h e m a n d especially i n a p u blic ch arac t er

, .

3 d A s t heir se n t i m e n t s were n o bar O f f e llo w s h ip w i t h

.

m e I w as u n w illi n g t o g ive t h e m an y offe n ce w i t h m i n e

, .

4t h He t hat has t h e oversi ght O f C h ris t s fl ock ou g ht

’
.

t o have j ud gm e n t t o feed t h e m a n d r i g ht ly t o divide t h e ,

w ord O f t rut h am o n g t he m Paul t e lls t h e Corin t h ian s

.

t hat “ h i t h ert o h e h a s f e d t h e m w i t h m ilk a n d n ot w it h ,

st ro n g m e at for as y e t t hey w ere n ot able t o bear it ;

,
“
a n d h e co m p lain s of t h e Hebre w s t h at i t w a s t i m e for ,

t h e m t o be t e ac h e rs of ot hers a n d y e t n eeded t o be ,

t au g ht t h e fir st p r in cipl e s of reli g io n an d h a d beco m e ,

such as n eede d ilk a d ot st ro g meat

m n n ,
n
”
L ast ly it .
,

i s a fact I n ever did de n y i t ; bu t alw ays re ferre d t h ose

.

w h o asked m e t h e quest io n t o m y public preach i n g de , ,

cl a r i n g as I n ow do i n t h e pr e se n ce of m y Jud g e t hat I
, , ,

did preach m y s e n t ime n t s w it hout dis g uise a n d t hat

, , ,

if w hat I preach ed w a s Un i ve rsal doct rin e it w as my ,

se n t im en t s .
’

“
Ve ry g ladly w oul d I t ran scribe every parag raph of
t h is ad m irable pa m ph let for republicat io n bu t w ill close ,

w it h t h e follo w i n g co m pre h e n sive n o t e

Fro m ou r several aut hors w h o h ave professedly

‘

w ri t t e n on t h e subjec t (w h ich Dr Jo n es h ad fr e qu e n t .

O pport u n i t ies O f readi n g ) i t do t h evi de n t ly appea r t h at

,

w e verily b e lieve : That Jesus is t h e w ay t h e t rut h a n d , ,

t h e life ; an d t ha t t here is n o co m i n g t o t h e Fat h er bu t

in a n d t hrou g h hi m : T h at a real belief of t his m ost
precious t rut h is ess e n t ial t o our happi n ess ; for t houg h
w e are ever safe i n t h e t ru t h y e t w e n ever can be t ruly ,
3 14 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

h ap py un t il w e are broug ht i n reali t y t o beli e ve it That

our safe t y in t h e t rut h is an in fallible securi t y t hat w e
shall be brou g ht t o a happin ess i n believin g : That t h e
bel ief O f t his t rut h do t h n ecessarily i n spire all t he sub
j e ct s of i t t o love t h e bro t h erhood t o fe ar God a n d t o , ,

ho n or t h e ki n g or civil g overn m en t , H ow could th e .

Doct or t h e n lay his h an d on his heart an d say t hat

, , ,

t his d oct ri n e w hich w e believe an d joyfully pre ac h for

, ,

t h e g ood of m an ki n d is lice n t ious a n d subversive O f all

, ,

g overn me n t hum an an d divi n e,

“
There is so m uch s w eet n ess di g n it y an d solidit y i n , ,

all t his an d all t hat follo w s i n t his pam phlet of t hirt y

,

pag es t hat I reluct an t ly refrain from furt her ext ract s

, ,

a n d a m o n ly sorry t hat I have n ot be e n able t o g at her

”
fart her i n format io n co n cern i g t e aut hor
n h .

M r urray re m ain ed in P hil adel ph ia more t han a

. M
mon t h aft er t h e cl ose of t h e Con ve n t i o n Writ in g t o .

her paren t s from t hat c it y J u n e 1 9 M rs M urray

, , , .

says
The sen t im e n t s of t h e U n iversalist s are g ro w i n g
every day m ore respect able in t his cit y The fam ily .

O f D r Fran kli n are am o n g t h e for e m os t of our favorers

. .

M rs Bach e t h e doct or s dau g h t er says i t w as her fa t h e r s

’ ’
.
, ,

O pin io n t hat n o syst e m i n t h e Chris t ian w orld w as so

,

eff ect ually calcul at ed t o pro m ot e t h e in t erest s O f societ y ,

as t h at doct ri n e w hich sh o w s a God reco n cilin g a lapsed

w o rld un t o hi m self The Philadelphian s are exceedin g ly
.

a n xious t o fix M r M urray amo n g t he m At first a g e n

. .

t eel house re n t free for life w it h a salary O f £ 200 a

, ,

year w as pro posed t o h im They n ow propose £2 5 0 ;

,
.

a n d fin ally t h e y add , if he w ill pled g e his w ord t o re t u r n

t o t he m as soo n as he can adjus t his aff airs a t t h e eas t

w ard t hey w ill e n sure h i m exclu sive of his house re n t
, ,
-
,

a yearly in com e of £ 400 [or The church

b elon g in g t o t h e U n i versalist s i n t his me t ropolis, n ot
 B ENJ AM I N RUS H .
3 15

bein g spacious en oug h t o co n t ain t h e n umbe r w ho fl ock

t o hear h i m applicat io n w as m a de t o t h e Rev Dr S m i t h
, . .
,

Provos t or Presiden t Of t h e Colle g e or A cade my for t h e

, ,

use O f a buildin g belo n g in g t o it a n d kn ow n by t h e n a m e ,

O f t h e Colle g e Hall A sp e cial m ee t in g of t h e t rust ees

.

w as u p o n t his occasio n called a n d un an i m ous co n se n t

, ,

O bt ai n ed D r S m i t h s e n t a m essag e request in g M r
. .
, .

M ur r ay s at t e n dan ce a t his ho u se Mr M you w ill

’
. .

n ot doub t obeyed t h e sum m o n s w he n h e w as escor t ed

, ,

t o t h e hall by t h e Pres id e n t a n d Professors w h o w ai t e d ,

upo n h i m t o t h e pulpit st airs an d t he n t ook t heir seat s ,

i n t h e asse m bly Mr M aft er delive rin g a discourse

. .
,

di d n ot i mm edi at ely appoi n t a fut ure lec t u r e The Presi .

den t addr essed h im : S ir I expect ed you w oul d h ave ‘

,

publis h ed ot he r O pport un it ies ; for you m ust k n o w t hat ,

t h e use of t h e hall is yours w he n a n d as frequ e n t ly as , , ,

you p lease A n d accord i n g ly in t h e course O f t he w eek

.
’
, , ,

larg e a n d respect able audie n ce s are collect e d t here B e .

sid e s t h e Presi de n t M essrs M ag aw Ro g ers Bo n d M ac,

.
, , ,

dual an d An dre w s re g ularly at t e n d an d M r M

, , , .

receives fro m t he m t h e ut m ost polit en ess On .

S un day M r M ,
is at t h e L odg e t h e Church O f t h e
.
,

U n iv e rsalist s T h e Rev Dr Bl ai r 1 is a co n firm ed c on

. . .

vert t o U n i v ersalis m Relly is h i s oracl e ; t houg h I w a s .

i n for m ed by Dr Rush t hat he has i n ma n y resp ect s

,
.
,

g on e beyo n d re co n cili n g difficul t ies w hich Relly h a d n ot

,

at t e m pt ed Dr Rush is a m an of se n se a n d le tt ers a n d
. .
,

is w ell k n o w n i n t h e medical a n d lit erary w orl d I a m .

hap py t hat I ca n n am e Dr Rush as a n O p e n avo w e d .

,

professor of an d orn am e n t t o t h e reli g io n O f Jesus

, , .

A ddressi n g M r M t h is m o r n in g w it h m uc h c an d or
.
,

he t h us expresse d hi m self : Why my dear sir y ou h ave , ,

s t oo d muc h alo n e ; h ow have you b u ff e t ed t h e s t or m 9

1 Probabl y D r . S a m u e l B l a ir , of G e rman t ow n , f or me rl y past o r O f
t he O l d S ou t h , in B os t on .
3 16 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

What a t o rre n t of preju dice t radit io n malevole n ce a n d , , ,

calu m n y y ou h ave had t o e n coun t er T w e n t y y ears ag o

’
I heard your n am e You w ere preachin g in Bachelor s
.

Hall N O co n si de ra t io n w ould h ave i n duce d me t o have

.

co m e w it hin a m ile O f t h e place ; a n d had I m e t you i n

t h e s t re e t I sh ould n ot have con ceived i t could have
,

bee n you except I h a d foun d you w it h t h e clove n foo t

, ,

an d w i t h hor n s B u t n ow h ow peaceful t o m yself is

.

t h e revolu t io n The Bible is a co nsist e n t book an d

.
,

everyt hin g that is excelle n t it con t ain s .

’

The in vit at io n t o Phil adel ph i a must have b een h igh ly

flatt er in g t o M r M urray an d t h e compen sat i on Off ered
.
,

w as exceedin g ly t emp t in g b ein g e q ua l t o if n ot i n excess

, ,

of t h e salary received by an y m in ist er i n t h e cou n t ry

,
.

I t w a s m ore t ha n five t i mes t h e a m oun t w hi ch he w a s

recei v in g in N e w En g lan d Writ in g from G l ouces t er .
,

in April 1 7 9 0 he sa i d
,
:,
“
I have five do ll ars per w eek
in Bos t o n a n d t hree in t h i s p l ace
,
.

Dr Ben j am in Rush w hose con versat ion M rs M urray

.
,
.

records w as it seems hardly n ecessary t o say on e Of

, , ,

t h e m ost emin e n t m e n Of his t im e Born Of Cal vin i st i c .

pare n t s at Bri st o l Pe n n in 1 7 45 h e w a s zeal ous ly

,
.
, ,

t au gh t t h e t e n e t s of t h e Ge n eva n t heo l ogy Educat ed .

a t Pr in ce t o n Co lleg e he s t ud ied medic in e in Phil a

,

del phia E d in b urg h Lo n do n an d Paris ; an d in 1 7 6 9

, , ,

w a s elec t ed P rofessor of Chemis t ry in t h e P h il adel ph ia

Colleg e ; i n 1 7 8 9 he succeeded t o t h e chair Of t h e t heory

an d prac t i ce O f m ed i c in e in t h e sam e in s t it u t i o n I n 1 7 91 .

he w as el ec t ed P rofessor Of t h e I n st it u t es of M ed icin e
an d C l in i cal Prac t i ce i n t h e U n i vers it y O f P e n n sy l va n i a

an d in 1 7 9 6 he w a s a l so pro m o t ed t o t h e cha ir of t h e

pract ice Of phys i c a pos it i o n w h i ch he hel d t ill his

,

deat h in 1 8 1 3 H i s med ical w orks are prin t ed in five

, .
 J
B EN AM I N RUS H . 31 7

O c t avo vo lu mes u n der th e m odest t it l e O f M ed i ca l I n

,

qu ir ie s an d O b servat ion s w it h a s ix t h vo l u m e Of
”
,

In t roduct ory Lect ures He w as a ls o t h e au t hor Of a

.

vol ume Of M is ce ll an eous E ssays of a H is t ory of t h e ,

”

Yell ow Fever as it appeared in Ph il adel ph ia from 1 7 93

,

an d in a ll of fif t
t o 1 7 97 y e ig ht w orks on vari ous
-

subj ect s .

As a pa t r io t t he serv i ces of Dr Rush w ere e q ua lly

, .

con spicuous I n th e s t rugg le for in depen den ce h i s voice

.

an d p e n w ere u n t i ri n l y e m p l oyed i n t h e cause of his

g
cou n t ry He w as a member Of t h e il lu s t ri ous Con g ress
.

w hich is sued t h e Decl arat io n O f In depe n de n ce an d his ,

n ame is e n ro ll ed amo n
g it s hon ored s ign ers He w a s .

appo in t ed in 1 7 7 7 Surgeon Ge n era l Of th e Army for t h e -

M iddl e Depart men t an d su b se q ue n t l y P hys ic ian Ge n era l

,
-

O f t h e m ilit ary hosp i t a l s A t o n ce he prepared D i rec t io n s

“
.

for Preserv in g t h e Healt h Of S o l d iers w h ich w as pub ,

”

l ish e d in 1 7 7 7 b y order of t h e Board Of War for t h e

, ,

A m erica n Army en ga g ed i n t h e War Of t h e Revo l ut ion .

Un der t he head Of D iet he has t he foll o w in g ,

”

What sh al l I say t o t h e cust om of dri n kin g spirit uous

liquors w hich prevail s so g e n era lly in our army
,
I am
aw are of t h e prejudices i n favor of it I t require s an .

a r m m ore po w erful t han m i n e t h e arm of a Hercules

t o e n cou n t er t he m The co mm o n apolo gy for t h e use of
.

r u m i n our army is t hat i t is n ecessary t o g uard a g ai n s t

,

t h e e ffect s O f heat an d cold B u t I m ai n t ain t hat i n n o

.

cas e w ha t ever does ru m abat e t h e e fi e ct s Of eit her upo n

t h e co n s t it u t i o n On t h e con t rary I beli eve i t al w ay s
.
,

in creases t hem The t emp ora ry elevat i on of S pirit s in

.

summer, an d t h e t e mporary g en erat i on of w armt h i n

w in t er produced by ru m al w ays leaves t h e b ody lan g uid
, , ,

an d m o r e l i able t o be affe ct ed by heat an d cold af t e r

3 18 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

w ards . Happy w ould it be for our so l di ers i f t h e evils

e n ded here The use of ru m by g raduall y w earin g aw ay
.
,

t h e po w ers O f t h e sys t e m lays t h e fou n dat i o n Of f evers,

,

fluxes, j aun d ice an d m ost O f t h e diseases w hich occur i n

,

milit ary hospit a ls I t is a v ul g ar error t o suppose t hat

.

t h e fat i g ue ari sin g from violen t exerc i se or h a rd la bor i s

relieved by t h e use O f spirit u ous liquors The prin cipl es .

O f an i m al li fe are t h e same i n a h orse as i n a man an d ,

t h e horses w e fin d un derg o t h e severest la bor w it h n o

, ,

ot her l iquor t han cool w at er There are man y in st an ces

.

w here eve n reapers have bee n forced t o ackn o w l ed g e t hat

ple n t ifu l draug ht s of m ilk an d w at er have en abl ed t hem
to g o t hrou g h t h e fat i g ue s O f h ar ves t w i t h more pleasure
an d f e w er i n con ve n ien ces t o t heir h eal t h t han ever t hey , ,

experi e n ced fro m t h e use of a m ixt ure of ru m an d w at er .

S pirit u ous liquors w ere un kn o w n t o t h e armi es O f

an ci en t Ro m e The can t een of every soldier w as filled
.

w it h n o t hi n g bu t vi n e g ar ; a n d i t w as by freque n t ly
dri n kin g a small quan t it y of t his w holeso me liquor mi xed
w i t h w at er t hat t h e Ro m an soldiers w ere e n ab led t o sus
t ai n t edious m arc h es t hrou g h scorchi n g san ds w it hout
bein g subj ect t o sickn e ss of an y kin d The vin e g ar .

effect ually resist s t hat t e n de n cy t o put refact io n t o w hich

heat a n d l ab or dispose t h e fl uids I t m oreove r cal m s
.

t h e in ordin at e ac t ion of t h e sol ids w h ich is creat ed

by hard dut y I t w o ul d be forei g n t o my purpose or I
.
,

mi ght sho w t hat t h e abst ract ion of ru m from Ou r soldiers ‘

w oul d con t ri but e g reat ly t o p ro mot e disc i pl in e an d a

fait hful di scharg e of dut y amon g t hem ” .

A vo lu me Of Tem peran ce S ermo n s pu blis hed an on y ,

m ou sl y in P h il adel ph ia in 1 7 9 0 bu t g en erally a tt r ib
, ,

u t e d t o Dr Rush so roused t h e med i cal f acul t y Of t h e

.
,

c it y t hat t h e Coll ege of P hysi c i an s memorialized

,

Co n g ress on t h e su bj ec t O f in t emperan ce an d en t re ate d ,

 B ENJ AM I N RUS H . 3 19

that b ody , by t he i r obligat io n s t o prot ec t t h e lives o f

“

t he i r con s t i t ue n t s a n d by t heir regard t o t h e charac t er

,

of our n at i on an d t o t h e ran k of our Spec ies i n t h e scale

O f b e in s t o i m pose such hea vy du t i es upo n d i s t ill ed
g ,

sp irit s as shall b e e ffect ual t o res t ra in t heir in t em perat e

use in our coun t ry I n 1 7 9 4 Dr Rush publ ished h i s
. .

M ed ica l I n quir ies in t o t h e B fie ct s of A rde n t S p iri t s

upo n t h e Body an d M in d t ak in g t hus early a posit io n
,

on t h i s su bj ec t t o w h i ch in ves t i at i o n causes all t houg h t

g
fu l me n t o come — t hat t o t al ab st in en ce i s t h e o n l y
,

g rou n d on w h i ch in t emperan ce can b e successfu lly com

b a te d I n deed as earl y as 1 7 88 in an Address t o
.
, ,
“

t h e M in i s t ers of t h e Gospe l O f every Den om in at i o n in

t h e U n i t ed St a t es upon S u bj ec t s in t eres t i n g t o M ora l s ,

he said

I shall be g i n by poin t in g ou t in t h e fir st p lace t h e

, ,

mischievous eff ect s O f spirit u ous liquors upo n t h e m orals

of ou r cit ize n s .

“
They re n der t h e t e m per peevish an d passio n at e .

They be g et quarrels an d lead t o p rofan e an d i n decen t

,

lan g uag e They are t h e par e n t s Of idlen ess an d e xt ra v a

.

g an ce a n d t h e cert ai n fore r un n ers of pove rt y an d f r e

, ,

que n t ly of jails w h e elbarro w s a n d t h e g allo w s T h ey

, ,
.

are like w ise in jurious t o healt h an d life a n d kill m ore ,

t han t h e pest ile n ce or t h e s w o r d Ou r l e g islat ure s by

.
,

perm i t t in g t h e use O f t h e m for t h e sake of t h e pal t ry

dut y collect ed fro m t he m a c t as absurdly as a p r in ce
,

w ould do w h o should p erm i t t h e c ul t ivat io n O f a poiso n

,

ous n u t w hich every year carried O ff t e n t h ousan d of his

subj e ct s because i t yi e lded a reve n ue of t h irt y t housan d
,

p ou n d s a year These t e n t housan d m e n w o u l d p ro duce

.

an n ually by t heir labor or by payi n g a t rifl in g im pos t

,

up o n an y on e of t h e n ecess aries O f life t w e n t y t i mes ,

3 20 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t h at su m order t o p u t a n e n d t o t h e desolat in g
. I n

e ff ect s of spirit uous liquors it w ill be prope r for our ,

m in is t e rs t o preach ag ai n st n ot t h e abuse Of t he m o n ly , ,

bu t t h e ir use alt o g e t her They ar e n ever n ecessary bu t .

i n sickn ess an d t hen t hey ar e be tt er applied t o t h e ou t

,
” 1
side t han t o t e i side of e body
h n t h .

The same year accord in g t o t h e his t or ian Of t h e ,

Phil ade l ph ia Con fere n ce Of t h e M e t hodis t Ep i scopal

Church Dr Rush appeared b efore t hat b ody
,
.
,

“
an d m ade earn est an d an i m at e d address on t h e use
an

of arde n t S pi r it s t akin g t h e broad g roun d t hen SO st ron gly

,

occupied by t h e con feren ce an d sin ce so si g n ally t aken ,

a n d m ai n t ai n e d b y t h e t e m peran ce reform at io n th a t ‘
,

t ot a l a b
s t i n e n ce is no l ess t h e de ma n d f
o ou r n a tu r e t h an
i t is t h e ru le f
a ou r sa e ty f an he besoug ht t h e con fere n ce
d
to use it s in fl ue n ce t o st op t h e use as w ell as t h e abuse
of spirit dri n kin g ” 2
-
.

I n 1 81 1 Dr Rush appeared b efore t h e Gen eral As

.

s e mb l y Of t h e Pres b yt eria n Church t he n in sess i on i n ,

Philadel phi a an d presen t in g t hat b ody Of m in i st ers an d

, ,

e lders w it h a t housan d copies Of h i s E n qu ir ies urg ed ,

”

t he m t o t ake some s t eps t o s t ay t h e ravages Of i n t e m

p e ran c e Wh ereupo n t h e Gen era l A sse m bl y appo in t ed

.

co mm it t ees t o t ake in t o co n siderat io n t he e vil an d su g ,

g est a remedy S i mil ar co m mit t ees w ere sub seque n t ly

.

appo i n t ed b y t h e Ge n eral A ssoc ia t i on s Of Co n n ect i cu t

a n d M assachuse t t s to c o operat e w it h t hose of t h e ,
-

Ge n eral Assembly of t h e Presbyt erian Church ”

Durin g .

1 81 1 a n d 1 81 2 t hese comm itt ees held severa l j o in t

m eet in g s at w h i ch t hey con s i dered var i ous measures f or
,

1 M i sce ll an e ou s E ssa y
p 1 15 s, . .

2
Re v . G e org e W . L ybaa n d, qu ot e d i n t h e re port Of t he Pe nn syl
van ia S t at e T e mpe ran c e U n ion , 1 87 1 , p 3 93 . .
 J
B EN AM I N RU S H .
321

th e suppress ion Of in t e m peran ce They fin ally decided .

on t h e orga n iza t i o n of t em pera n c e soc i e t i es an d a form ,

o f con st it ut io n hav in g b e en ag reed upon t hey call ed a

'
,

pu bli c meet in g i n Bos t o n Fe b 5 1 8 1 3 at w hi ch t ime ,

.
, ,

t he M assachuse tt s S oc iet y for t h e Suppress i on Of I n

t empera n ce w as org an ized Thus t o Dr Rush w e are .
, .

abl e to tr ace t h e t emperan ce reform as an organ ized

movemen t S o care f ul an d accurat e a s t uden t Of t he
.

subj ect as J ames B l ack E sq of Lan cas te r Pe n n syl , , ,

van ia t han w ho m n o man l ivin g i s b et t er acq ua in t ed

,

w it h t h e hi s t ory Of t h e t empera n ce eff ort s ays t hat ,

Dr Ben jam i n Rush O f t h e cit y of Philadelphia w as

.
, ,

u n quest io n ably t h e fat her of t h e prese n t t e mperan ce

reform ” 1 .

Dr Rush w as al so a zeal ous advocat e Of publi c school s

.
,

w r i t i n g an d pu bli shin g severa l essays in t he ir b ehalf .

I n 1 7 9 1 he publi shed A Defen ce of t h e B ible as a “

Schoo l B ook 2 He w a s a firm b e li ever i n t h e au t hor

”
.

it y of t h e S cript ures m ak in g fr e que n t an d e l o q ue n t

,

avo w al s Of h is co n vi ct ion s an d t his at a t i me w hen i n fi ,

de l it y w as common w it h m an y m e n o f h ig h st an din g .

He al so t ook advan ced g rou n d in t h e re form o f the

pen al code A l aw had b een en act ed in P en n sy lvan ia
.

w hi ch in fl i c t ed hard la b or in pu bli c for cert ai n Off e n ces

w h ich u n der th e Ol d syst em w ere pu n i shed w it h deat h

, , .

The cu l prit s w ere chain ed t o w heelb arr ow s t heir heads ,

S haved an d t he ir b odies a rra yed i n a dress o f pecu liar

,

c u t an d co l or I n “ An E n qu ir y in t o t h e Eff ec t s of
.

P u bl i c Pu n is hme n t s upon Crim in al s an d upon S ocie t y ”

,

read in th e S ociet y for P ro m ot in g Polit i ca l En qu iries ,

Re port of t he P en n s yl i St t e T e mpe
v an a a ran c e U n ion , 187 1 , p 3 9 2 . .

2 M i scell a n e ous Es sa y pp 93 —1 13
s, . .

V O L. I . 21
322 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

co n ven ed at t h e house of Be n j am in Fran k lin E sq in , ,

Phil ade l ph ia M arch 9 1 7 8 7 Dr Rush exposed t h e

, , ,
.

errors an d m isch iefs of t h e n e w l aw a n d pl eaded t hat ,

pu n ishmen t s b e made privat e an d t ha t t hey b e ac c om ,

pan ie d w i t h human e t reat me n t a n d re ligi ous i n st ru c

t i on . H i s e ff ort w as me t w it h sarcasm a n d ri di cu le ,

a n d w as t reat ed as t h e produc t i o n O f a human e hear t ,

bu t of a w ild an d v i s i on ary ima g in a t i on B u t the .

w ork in g s of t h e l aw con v in ced t h e peop l e O f h i s sag ae

it y i n foresee in g it s resul t s ; an d in t hree years from i t s
e n act men t it w as repea led .

A f e w years la t er Dr Rush pu blis hed , An E n qu i ry

.

in t o t h e Con s i st en cy Of t h e Pun ish m en t Of M urder by

Dea t h w it h Reaso n an d Revelat ion 1 I n t h i s he t ook .
”

t h e pos i t i o n t ha t g over n m e n t has n o r ig h t t o pu n i sh

eve n deliberat e murder w it h deat h Rev M r An n an . . .
,

w h o had pu blished an a tt ack on U n i versalism rev i e w ed ,

Dr Rush s eff ort an d a g en era l in t erest w a s a w aken ed

.
’

on t h e su bj ec t resul t i n
g in 1 7 9 3 in t h e publi ca t i on b y
, , ,

t h e A tt orn ey Gen era l O f P e n n sy l va n ia Of A n I n q u iry

-
“

h ow far t h e Pu n ishme n t Of Deat h is n ecessary in t hat

St at e in w hi ch he presen t ed th e same arg ume n t s la i d
,

do w n b y Dr Rush . .

A t w hat t ime Dr Rush b ecame a Un iversali st w e .

ca n n o t say bu t he w as a b e li ever as earl y as April

, ,

1 7 8 1 be in g a t t hat t i me a w arm fri en d an d suppor t er

,

of Rev El ha n an W in ch est er w it h w hose pecu liar v iew s

.
,

he w as i n heart y sy mpa thy When M r W in chest er . .

w e n t t o E n g l an d i n 1 7 87 b e in g chi efly en courag ed

, ,

t here t o b y Dr Rush w h o b e li eved t ha t a g reat fie l d w as

.
,

t here O pe n f or h im he furn i shed h i m w i t h l e t t ers o f cor

,

1 M isce l la n e ou s E ssays, pp 164—1 82 . .

 J
B EN AM IN RUSH .
32 3

d ia l commen dat ion t o Dr Pri ce an d ot her di st in guished

.

g e n t lemen i n Lo n don a n d kep t up a n in t im at e corr e

,

s pon de n c e w i t h hi m dur in g h i s a b sen ce I n on e O f his .

let t ers Dr Rush w rit es

, .

The U n iversalist doct rin e prevails m ore a n d m ore in

ou r coun t ry part ic u larly amon g perso n s em i n e n t f or
,

t h ei r pie t y i n w ho m it is n ot a mere spec u lat ion b

, ut a ,

n e w prin ciple O f act io n i n t h e heart pro mp t i n

g t o prao ,

t ical g odl i n ess ” .

Ag a in , he says
“
I con t em plat e w it h you t h e pro g ress of reaso n an d
libe rt y i n E u rope w it h g reat pleasure Republican fo rm s .

of g ove rn m e n t are t h e best re p osit ories of t h e g ospel I .

t h e r e fo r e suppose t hey are i n t e n de d as prel u des t o a g l o

r iou s m an i fest at io n of it s po w e r a n d in fl ue n ce u p o n t h e

h e art s O f m e n T h e lan g uag e O f t hese free a n d equal

.

g overn m e n t s see m s t o be like t hat O f Joh n t he Bapt ist O f

Ol d :
‘
Prepare ye t h e w ay of t h e L ord m ake his pat h s ,

st rai g ht T h e be n evol e n t spiri t w hich has l at ely a p

.
’

p e ar e d i n t h e w orld i n i t s g overn m e n t s i n i t s n u m e rous

,

p h ilan t hropic an d hum an e societ i e s an d eve n i n public ,

en t ert ain me n t s rem in d m e of t h e first eff ort s O f a child

,

t o m ove i t s body or li m bs These eff ort s are st ro n g bu t

.
,

irre g ular an d O ft en in a co n t rary dire ct io n t o t hat w hich

,

is in t en ded Ti m e a n d a f e w u n succe ssful e xp e r i m e n t s

.

soo n b r in g t h e se m ot io n s i n t o a prop e r direct io n The .

sam e w ill h appe n I h ave n o doubt t o t h e prese n t kin d

, , ,

bu t i rre g ular a n d co n vulsive i m puls e s of t h e h um an h eart .

A t prese n t t h e y lead me n t o ad m i r e a n d celebrat e h u m an

,

li g ht s a n d hum an delivere r s bu t e r e lo n g public adm ira ,

t io n a n d praise w i l l rise t o H im w h o is t h e t rue li g h t of

t h e w orld a n d w h o alo n e delivers fro m evil s of e ve r y
,
-

A t prese n t w e w is h libert y t o t h e w hole w orld

’
kin d .
,
.

B u t t h e n ex t t ouch of t h e celest ial m ag n e t upo n t h e

3 24 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

human heart wi ll direct it in t o w ishes f or t h e sa l va ti on

” 1
of a ll m a n k i n d .

Th i s prophe t i c u tt eran ce made at a t i me w hen U n i

,

v e r salis m w as u n ders t ood an d em b raced b y a very f e w ,

m us t b e ack n o w l edg ed by us w h o s t a n d w it h a hu n dred

years O f n a t io n al an d religious h is t ory at our b ack as ,

a n in d i cat io n of w o n derfu l f ores ig ht a m in d t ra in ed t o ,

accurat e ph il osoph ic t houg h t a n d a soul w hi ch st agg ered,

a t n o O b s t ac l e .

Whe n t h e suggest i on w as m ade t o ho ld a C on ven t i on

of t h e Un iversa li s t s I n P hil adel ph ia Dr Rush w as , .

so li cit ous t hat t h e call for t h e Co n ven t io n S houl d b e

addressed t o all Chri s t ian people in t h e cou n t ry as he ,

b elieved t hat a common plat form coul d be framed ,

on w h i ch all co u l d un it e He w as overr u l ed in t h is
.
,

a n d t he Co n ve n t i o n w as d i s t in ct i vel y U n i versalis t The .

prob a bil it y is t hat h i s professio n a l du t ies preven t ed h is

g i v in g m uch t im e a n d at t en t io n t o t h e b us in ess ses
s io n s ; bu t his att it u de t o w ards t h e cause i s n u m i s
t ak abl y se t fort h in M r s M urray s l e tt er ; as al so
’

i n t h e fact o f h i s revi s in g a n d arran g in g t h e report

O f t h e comm itt ee on Ar t i cl e s O f Fait h an d Plan Of ,

Govern me n t .

There i s s t ill t o b e fou n d amon g t h e papers of Dr .

Rush a l et t er from M r M urray addressed t o Israe l

,
.
,

Israel on e O f t he co mm it t ee on t h e circular l ett er

,

w i t h referen ce t o ca l l in g t h e Con ve n t i o n w h i ch seem s ,

t o b e in part an a n s w er t o a l e t t er accom pan y i n g t ha t

docu men t an d sugges t in g t h e prac t icabili t y Of in v it in g
,

t o t he proposed Con ven t io n represen t at ives from

churches n ot professin g U n iversalist v i ew s The pro b .

1 S t on e s Lif e of
’
Win ch e st e r , pp 1 87 , 19 7 , 1 98
. .
 B ENJ AM I N RUSH . 325

abili t y i s from t h e fact t hat t his le t t er w as passed

,

over t o Dr Rush a n d re t a in ed by him t hat t h e cat h o

.
, ,

li cit y of t h e m ove m e n t w as h is sug ges t i on The le t t er .

is as f oll o w s

GLO U C E S T E R, Nov 3 , 1 7 89
. .

MY DE AR F RI E N D — T h e packet i n closin g t h e cir

,

cu l ar let t e r w a s p u t i n t o m y h an d be t w e e n m ee t i n g s

yest erday I S it m e do w n t his m orn in g t o reply as

.
,

request ed in t h e let t er in closi n g t h e t w o copi e s Of t h e

circular let t er si gn e d by our m ut ual frien ds w h o form
,

t h e co mm i t t ee .

“
You r desire is a n d m y desire w ould be t o fall on
, ,

so m e me asure t o h ave a un iversal church co n st it ut e d ,

on such g e n eral a n d g e n e rous pri n ciple s as t o t ake i n all

w h o profe ss salvat io n i n C hrist Jesus an d m ai n t ai n g oo d ,

w orks B u t say m y valued frie n ds w h o am on g st t h e

.
, ,

m ere professors Of Christ ia n it y do n ot m ake t h is pr of e s

sio n Where is t h e church de n o m in at ed C hri st ian t hat
, ,

does n ot profess salvat io n i n Chri st Jesus a n d mai n t ai n ,

g ood w orks An d w hich of all t he s e church e s m aki n g

t h is p rofessio n w ould be t ake n i n by you — by us I
w ell k n o w t hat t h e discipl e s of t h e m eek a n d lo w ly
Prin ce of Pe ac e are w illin g t o join w it h t h e blood bou g h t -

t hro n g t o celebrat e h i s praise a n d g lorify h i s n a m e by a

,

life of O be die n ce an d as m uch as is in t he ir p o w e r t o

, , ,

follo w p eace w i t h all m e n ; bu t n ot w it hst an di n g t h e ,

Christ ian ch urch es of all de n o m i n at io n s profess t o h ave

salvat io n in Christ Jesus an d pray w it h app aren t devo , ,

t io n t hat all m an kin d m ay h ave t h e sa m e salvat io n

,

t here y e t you are n ot n ow t o be i n for med t hey w ill

, , ,

all un it e in reprobat in g t hose w h o bel ieve t heir pray e r s

w il l b e an sw e red .

N o my frie n ds you w ill n ever be able t o for m a

, ,

un io n w it h an y of t h e C h ris t ian ch urches w hile you

really beli eve w hat t hey so m e t im e s profess t o bel ieve .
326 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

Wh ile you bel ie ve t h e m i n ist ry of reco n ciliat io n every ,

de n omin at i on of professe d Christ i a n s w ill be you r i rr e c

on c il ab l e e n e m ie s T h ese are my t hou g h t s of t h e m at
.

t e r a n d as lon g as you w orship God i n t h e spirit rejoice

, ,

i n Christ Jesus a n d have n o co n fide n ce i n t h e fl esh S O

, ,

lo n g you w ill be co n sidered by al l de n om in at i on s fro m

‘

t h e g r eat Ch urch O f Ro me do wn t o t h e s malle st a n d ,

l at e st f or me d bran c h of Disse n t ers, —as h eret ics ; an d

r

i n t h e w ay t h at t hey all call heresy you m ust be co n t e n t

,
,

t o w orship t h e God of your f at hers .

“
We are too apt t o m ake m ist akes i n co n se que n ce of
passi n g all u n der on e g en eral n am e Alas " w hat are .

n am e s " Ou r L ord his disciples an d t h e m em bers of

.
, ,

t h e sy n ag o g ue all passed u n der t h e sam e g e n eral n am e

,

of Je w s, a n d all me t in t h e sam e sy n ag o g ue ; an d m uch

did t he disciples labor t o e ffect w h at your be n evole n t
heart s see m s e t upo n ; bu t t hey could n ot obt ai n it ; t heir
bret h re n drove t he m aw ay an d t hey w ere t herefore ,

obli ged t o g o un t o t h e Gen t iles Thin k you said our .

‘
,
’

S aviour , I a m co me t o se n d peace on t h e e art h NO "

n o"no" I n t h e w orld said t h e same S aviour
‘
,
’
you ,
‘

S hall have t ribulat io n T h ey hat e d m e an d t hey shall

.

hat e you . If w e w ish t o es t ablish peace w it h t h e w orld

’

or w i t h an y O f t h e Chris t ian churches in t h e w orld w e ,

m u s t be of t h e w orl d ; t hey w il l love t heir ow n an d o n ly ,

love t heir ow n .

Whe n t h e meet i n g [house ] w a s built in t his t o w n ,

w e p u blicly declared i t ope n t o all w h o professed t o h ave

salvat ion i n Chr ist Jesus N ot on e of th e clerg y w ould
.

ever g o i n t o it There w ere on e or t w o w hos e s e n ti

.

m e n t s w e t h ou ght liber al an d w e i n vi t ed t he m [t hin k

, ,

i n g ] t h ey w ould accept t h e i n vit at io n ; bu t t hey w ere

afraid Arian s S ocin ian s Ar mi n ian s w ill h old fello w
.
, , ,

ship an d co mmu n ion t o g e t her bu t n on e of t hem w ill ,

h ave an yt hi n g t o do w it h us
I g ive it t hen , as m
.

“
, y fixe d an d se tt le d O pi n ion t hat ,
 J
B EN AM I N RUSH . 327

we n eve r shall be able t o form a frie n dly un io n w it h an y

on e de n o m i n at io n of Chris t ian professors ; a n d t h at i f ,

ever w e h ave an y churches form ed t hey m ust be made ,

u
p of t h e out cas t of t h e people an d t h e C h ris t ian w orld ,

n ow ,as t h e Je w ish w orld form erly w ill e st ee m us t h e ,

accursed of t h e L ord .

I have ho w e v e r laid t h e m at t er before my frie n ds in

, ,

t his place I w ill do t h e sam e i n Bos t on T h e result O f

. .

t h eir deliberat io n s I w ill t ra n s m i t as soo n as p ossible ;

a n d t h ou g h I n eve r ex pe ct an y g reat S h ar e O f ag r e e m e n t

or affect ion fro m a n y o t her c h urch es y e t it w ill g ive m e ,

i n expressible p leasure t o fin d t h e w ord O f [our] S aviour

so far prevail as t hat m an y may associat e t o g e t her i n
,

t h e fai t h O f J e sus a n d i n t h e bo n ds O f u n io n a n d by a
, ,

close adh eren ce t o so m e plain Christ ian rules build up , ,

e ach o t h er i n t h is m os t holy fait h .

Thus far I h ave w rit t e n an d perha p s n ever m e t t h e

,

ideas O f m y correspo n din g fr ie n ds ; my presen t frien d

t hin ks n ot a n d S h e is g e n erally ri gh t ; h o w ever y ou
, ,

have my O pin io n so far w he t her you desired [i t ] or n ot

, .

I S h all n ow proceed as freely t o g ive you m y O pin ion

r e spect in g t h e p lain es t part of your le t t er There are .

m a n y i n s u n dry part s O f t h is a n d t h e n ei g hborin g S t at es

, ,

w h o profess t o believe t h e t rut h ; b ut I do n ot fin d

m an y w h o are valian t for t h e t rut h I believe t here .

are m an y w h o approve of t h e p lan you p ropos e a n d ,

w oul d have n o O bjec t io n t o see ch u rch e s fo r m e d on your

plan in ever y part O f t h e co n t in en t ; bu t I w ill ve n t ure
t o g ive i t as my O pin io n t h at you w ill n ot fin d i n t h e
,

N e w E n glan d S t at es a p e rso n w h o w ill l e ave h o me at

his ow n charg e or a socie t y w h o w ill a g ree t o pay t h e
,

expe n ses of a n y w h oshould con s e n t t o g o as a deleg at e .

I n short t h e professors of t h e fai t h w e hold care bu t

, ,

lit t le about h ow m at t ers g o on i n t h is w orld ; w e are n ot

n ow ,
as formerly blo w n in t o a fl ame by t h e bello w s O f
,

persecut io n ; ou r e n e m ies are w ise e n oug h t o l e t u s

 3 28 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

alo n e, I should n ot be surprised if w e w ere t o g o

an d

ou t . I t is t h e n my opi n ion [ t ha t ] you w ill n ot be me t

, , ,

or assist e d by a n y in dividu als from t hese part s or ever ,

be able t o e ff ect your plan w it hout t h e assis t an ce of your

e n e m ies — a n d h ow t h ey w ill be able t o assis t in t h e
,

prese n t st at e O f g over n m en t I do n ot see , .

S i n ce I be g an t his le t t er I have had an an s w er fro m ,

t h e soci e t y I preac h t o i n t h is place I t correspon ds w i t h .

t h e O pi n io n I hazarde d before : t hey w ish you success ,

bu t t hey are n ot able t o g o or se n d I expect t h e same .

an sw er fro m Bost o n ; a n d I kn o w n ot w h o else t o make

applicat io n t o as I a m m uch co n fi n ed t o t hese places
, .

I con fess my heart is fully w it h you ; an d w ere I

n ow dise n g ag ed as fo r merly I w ould se t ou t a n d w holly ,

devot e myself t o t h e busi n ess I do n ot kn o w t hat I .

should succeed bu t I do kn o w t hat I should t ry ; an d

,

fro m m y heart I a m sorry t h at I did n ot s e t ou t on my ,

first co m i n g i n t o t his coun t ry on so m e such plan H ow ,

.

ever perhaps aft er all t h e w ay of m an is n ot in hi m

, ,

self — perhaps it is n ot y e t t im e God has t h e heart s

, .

of all in his han d an d he can t urn t he m w hit her he w ill

, .

When t herefore it is his pleasure such m at t ers shall

, ,

t ake place t hey assuredly w ill

,
Here t h e n w e oug ht .
, ,

here t hen w e w ill leave it ; l e t our S aviour do as see me t h

, ,

g ood i n his S i g ht .

“
M r s M u rray is st ill very un w ell bu t I e n cour ag e
.
,

hope t hat she w ill be w ell e n oug h by n ext M ay t o se t

ou t w it h m e t o your cit y I n t his h Op e I w ill co n clude
. .

Wis h in g you an d y ours every t emporal an d spirit ual

blessin g I a m w it h t rue reg ard m y valued frie n ds O f
, ,

t h e co mm it t ee ,

Your fait hful frien d an d devot ed servan t ,

“
J O H N M U R RA Y .

1 M a n u sc r i t s
p of Dr . B j
e n am i n Ru sh , v ol . 22, p . 86 , Ridg w a y
B r an c h of Phil a de l phi a L i bra r y . T he M SS . h av e man y val u able
su gg e s t ion s t ou chin g ou r e ar l y h ist or y .
 B EN AM I N RUSHJ . 329

Con cern in g M r M urray an d Dr R u sh w e add

. .
,

t w o b rief ex t rac t s from t h e vo l ume Of

“
Le t t ers an d
Thoug h t s already referred t o
,

Jun e 9 urray i n t h e st re e t He
M et M r . M .

t old m e t hat h e had h e ard fro m so m e of Dr Wat t s ’

.

frien ds i n L o n do n ; t hat t h e y h a d discovered amon g his

papers aft er his deat h a defe n ce O f Un iversalis m ; bu t
, ,

t h at t hey had bur n ed i t t o p reve n t i t s i n juri n g t h e credi t

of h i s o t h e r w orks He re m arked t h at m an y O f h i s
.

h y mn s w e r e Un i ve r s a l .

“
Jun e half an hour w it h M r M urray H e
15 . S p en t . .

t ol d m e t hat he had re ad bu t li t t l e except i n h i s Bible , ,

a n d t hat all his bes t t hou g ht s occurred t o h i m w it hout ,

st udy in t h e pulpit He in form ed m e furt her t hat he

,
.
, ,

had o n ce bee n a M e t hodist preacher un der Rev M r . .

”
Wesley .

Bache l or s Hall m en t i o n ed b y Dr Rush w as a

’

,
.
,

c l ub house in t h e d i s t rict of Ke n s in g t on
-

,
I t w as .

a square b uil di n g Of con siderabl e b eaut y an d w as

, ,

ch iefly used for ball s an d l at e suppers I t s t ood on .

t h e m a in r i ver s t ree t w it h a fin e ope n vie w Of t h e

-
,

’
Delaw are O n t h e occasio n O f M r M urray s first visit
. .

to P h il ade l phia so m e t i m e in 1 77
,
1 he re l a t es 1
t hat ,

t h e Bap t is t m in is t er in vi t ed h im t o his house an d t o ,

h is pu lpit He did n ot ho w ever occupy t h e pu lp it as

.
, , ,

his n e w frie n d an g ry at b e in g co n foun ded b y M r M u r

,
.

ray i n a pri vat e discuss i o n aft er ren ew in g t h e in vit at i o n ,

for him t o preach t o h i s people cl osed t h e pul pit again s t ,

h imon t h e S abb a t h he w as t o occupy it .

“
Ye t I had ”
says M r M u r,
r ay “
am on g his co n n ect io n s
.
,

a f e w frien ds w h o, in di g n an t at t h e t reat m e n t I had

,

1 M e moir , p 2 24 . .
33 0 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM E RI C A .

r eceive d, redouble d t h eir caresses There w as at t his .

t i me a s m all co m pa n y w h o asse m bled at a place k n ow n

by t h e n am e of Bac helor s Hall They w ere un acquain t ed ’
.

w it h t h e t r uth I deliv e red ; y e t w illi n g t o hear f or t he m ,

s el ves t h ey in vit ed m e t o p r e ach for t he m

,
Halt in g be .

t w ee n t w o O pin io n s t hey solici t ed aid from a m i n ist er

,

of an ot her persuasio n ; a n d t hey request e d m e t o h e ar

h i m t o w hich I readily con se n t ed
,
T h e preacher select e d .

his t ext : Behold t h e L amb of God w h o t aket h aw ay t h e ,

s i n of t h e w orld He co mm en ced his co mm en t : M y

.
’ ‘

frien ds I shall un dert ake t o prove t hat Jesus n ever did

, ,

n or n ever w ill t ake a w ay t h e si n O f t h e w orld I w as ’

.
,

as t o n i shed an d t h e perso n s ask in g m y at t en dan ce w ere

,

abash e d The preacher ad ded : I t is i m possible Christ

.
‘

c an have t ake n a w ay t h e si n O f t h e w orld for t he n all ,

t h e w orld m ust be saved This w a s un quest ion able I ’

. .

w as excee din g ly g rat ified an d t h e m ore as t his serm o n , , ,

in t en ded for my co n fusio n did m uch t o est ablish t hat ,

t ru t h of w hich by t h e g race of God I w as a p r omu l

‘

, ,

g at or The com bin ed ef fort s Of t h e clergy i n Phil a de l

.

phia barred ag ain st m e t h e door of every house O f public

w orship i n t h e cit y Bachelor s Hall w as in Ken sin g t on
.
’
.

B u t at B a chelor s Hall t h e people at t e n ded an d a f e w

’
,

w ere e n abled t o believe t h e g oo d w ord O f t heir God ”

(pp 2 2 6
.
,

Wa t son in h is An n al s O f Ph il adelph ia (vo l i

, . .

p . a l ludes t o t he oppos it i o n t o M urray in t h e cit y ,

by say in g t hat Bachel or s Hall w as o n ce le n t t o t h e ’ “

use of M urray t h e Un i versa li st preacher keep in g t hen

, ,

t h e doct rin e can n on —shot d i s t an ce from t h e c it y .

O n t h e 1 7 t h Of Ju l y 1 7 90 M rs M urray w rot e t o her , , .

paren t s :
T h is even i n g a sermon has bee n delivered in Colle g e
,

Hall in opposit io n t o t h e se n t i men t s at t ribut ed t o M r

, .
 S AM U EL WET HERI LL . 33 1

M urray The respon se t h eret o w hich w ill be on M on

.
,

d ay eve n in g w ill de t ai n us a day l on g e r in t his cit y t han

, p

”
w e i n t e n ded .

Th is O ppo n en t w as Samue l We t herill a memb er of ,

t h e S oc i e t y of Frie n ds Hi s sermon an d a l so some .

,

O b servat io n s on M r M urray s reply w as pu bl ished i n

’
.
,

a fort y eig h t pag ed pamphle t e n t it led “ A Co n fu t at io n

- -
,

Of t h e Doc t r in es of A n t in o m ia n ism
”
etc The au t hor , .

avo w s t hat he does n ot at t ack t h e doctr in e Of Un iver

s alis m bu t t ha t h is pu rpose i s t o b at t le ag ain st t h e
,

dog m as Of im put ed sin im pu t ed rig ht eousn ess an d , ,

vicarious a t on emen t H i s arg um en t s are a bly s t a t ed .

,

an d t h e sp i r i t an d t emper of his w ork are ad m ir ab le .

Ritt er s Philadel ph ia M erchan t s has t h e foll ow in g

“ ’ ”

n o t i ce O f M r We t her il l .

T h e a n ces t ry O f S a muel Wet herill ori g in at ed i n

E n g lan d an d his i mmediat e an t ecede n t s cam e t o Am e r
, .

ica a n d sett led i n Je rsey even before t h e arrival of

, ,

Willia m Pe n n M r Wet h erill w a s orig in ally a carpen

. .

t e r by t rade an d as such cam e t o Philadelphia b e fore

,

t h e Revolut ion I n process of t i m e he chan g ed his oc on

.

p at i on fro m carpe n t er t o t hat of w eaver an d t is said

’
, , ,

w as t h e firs t w eave r of j ean s a n d f u st ian s i n Am erica .

He made t h e best of t i m e an d circu m st an ce s ; an d bei n g ,

a t ig an d decide dly in favor of t h e defe n sive w a r

‘
,
’
,

m ade a n d sold m at erials for clot hin g t h e ar m y for w h ic h ,

he w as diso w n ed by t h e re g ular S ociet y of Frie n ds ; bu t ,

n o t hi n g daun t ed an d bein g a m an of very proper Or t ho

,

dox re li g ious vie w s es t ablished a t on c e an ot her Frie n ds

’
,

M ee t i n g w hich furt here d by t h e L e g islat ure of Pe n n sy l

, ,

van i a by t h e do n at io n an d t it le O f a l ot at th e sout h w est

,

corn er of Fift h a n d Arch st reet s e n abled h i m an d o t h e r s ,

t o es t ablish t h eir i n d e pe n de n ce an d erect a buildi n g , ,

w here al so t hey w ere k n o w n as Free Q u ak e rs an d by

‘ ’
, , , ,
332 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

so me as Fi ght in g Q uakers an d h ere S am uel Wet herill

,
‘

w a s preacher u n t il h i s de m ise
”
.

He w as b orn in Burlin g t o n N J in April 1 7 36 an d ,

.
, ,

d i ed in P h iladelph ia Sep t 2 4 1 81 6 , .
, .

O n t h e 2 ot h Of J ul y M r M urray s t ar t ed ho m e w ard
, . .

Travellin g s l ow l y b y privat e co n veyan ce an d s t opp in g ,

t o preach at severa l pl aces in N e w Jersey he arr ived ,

in N e w York on t h e 7 t h of Aug us t w here he rem ain ed ,

severa l days v is it in g frien ds am o n g w hom w ere P resi

, ,

de n t Wash in gt on an d V ice P res i den t Adams — b e t w een

,
-
,

w hom a n d M r M urray t here ex is t ed n o mere l y forma l

.

fr ien dshi p as w ill b e evi den t from M rs M urray s l e t

, .
’

t ers pu blis hed in t h e

, Un iversali st Q uart erly for
April 1 88 1 an d April 1 882
, , ,
.

I t w ou l d n ot b e j ust perhaps t o c la im Georg e Wash

, ,

in g t on a s a Un iversa l is t at l eas t n ot as a professed

, ,

Un iversali s t ; bu t t h e fo ll o w i n g re m ark att rib u t ed t o ,

him b y Weems in hi s Life of Wash in gt on may , ,

properly be c it ed as sho w in g hi s Chri s t ian co n v i ct io n

a n d hope Hav in g w it n essed t h e resu lt s of an I n dian
.

massacre Of a m o t her an d her Ch il dren Weems says t ha t .

Washin gt on used t hese w ords

To see t hese poor i n n ocen t s — t hese lit t le un offen d ,

in g an g els — just e n t erin g upon life an d i n st ead O f ,

fo n dest sy m pat hy an d t en dern ess m eet in g t heir hideous ,

deat hs — a n d fro m brot hers t oo i — fil l e d m y soul w it h ,

t h e deepest horror of S in bu t a t t h e sam e t i m e i n spired

,

a most abidi n g se n se O f t hat reli g io n w hich an n ou n ces

t h e Redee m er w h o shall on e day do a w ay m an s m a
’
,

li g n an t passio n s a n d rest ore t h e childre n of God t o

,

p ri meval love a n d bliss Wit h out t h is hope w hat man

.
,

of feeli n g bu t w ould w ish he had n ever bee n born ”

(pp 49
.
,
 GEORG E WAS HI NGT ON . 33 3

D u ring t h i s v i s it M r M urray delivered in person

,
.
, ,

th e Address Of th e Con ven t i o n t o t h e Pres i den t

Su n — Permit us in t h e n ame of t h e S ociet y w hich

,

w e re pres e n t t o co n cur i n t h e n um erous co n g rat ulat ion s

,

w hich have bee n o ff ered t o you, sin ce your accessio n t o

t h e g overn me n t of t h e U n it ed St at es .

“
For a n accoun t O f our prin ciples w e be g leave t o ,

refer you t o t h e pamphlet w hich w e h ave n ow t h e,

ho n or O f putt in g i n t o your han ds I n t his publica . "

t io n , it w ill a p pear t hat t h e peculiar doc t ri n e w hich w e

hold is n ot less fri e n dly t o t h e order an d happi n ess Of
societ y t han i t is essen t ial t o t h e perfect io n O f t h e Deit y
, .

I t is a si n g ular circum st an ce in t h e hist ory of t his doc

t rin e t hat i t h as b ee n preached a n d defen ded i n every
,

a g e s i n ce t h e firs t pro m ul g at io n O f t h e g ospel ; b ut we

represen t t h e first socie t y professin g t his doct rin e t hat

, ,

have formed t hem selves in t o an in depe n d e n t church .

Post erit y w ill hardly fail t o co n n ect t his m e morable

even t w it h t h e auspicious years of PE A CE L I B ER T Y an d , ,

free in quiry in t h e Un it ed St at es w hich dist in g uished ,

t h e a dm i n ist rat io n of GE N E R A L WA S H I N G T O N .

We join t hus pu blicly w it h our aff ect ion at e fello w

, ,

c it ize n s i n t han k s t o Al mi g ht y God for t h e last of his

, ,

n u merous si g n al act s of g oodn ess t o our coun t ry in pre ,

servin g v our valuabl e l ife i n a lat e d an g erous in disposi

t ion ; a n d w e assure you S ir t hat dut y w ill n ot pro mpt
, ,

u s m ore t han aff ect io n t o pray t hat you m a

y lon g c on
t i n n e t h e support an d orn am e n t Of our cou n t ry an d t hat ,

you may hereaft er fill a hi g her s t at ion a n d e n joy t h e ,

g reat er re w ard of b e in g a k i n g an d pries t t o our God .

“
S ig n ed in be hal f an d by order of t h e Co n ve n t ion
, ,

J O H N M U RR A Y ,

WI L L I AM E U GE N E I M L A Y .

In a few day s he rece ived

, th e Presi den t s reply ’
334 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

To t he Con ve n t i on of t h e Un i ve r s a l Chu r ch, l a t e ly

a ss e mb l e d i n Ph i l a de lp hi a .

GE N T LE M E N — I t han k you cord ia lly for t h e con

,

g rat ul at io n s w hi ch you off er on my appo in t m e n t t o t h e

Office I have t h e ho n or t o hol d i n t h e g overn m e n t of t h e

U n it ed St at es .

I t g ives m e t h e m ost se ns ible ple a sur e t o fin d t hat in

our n at i on , how ever dif feren t are t h e sen t imen t s of c it i
ze n s on re l ig ious doct ri n es t hey g en eral ly con cur i n on e
,

t hi n g ,
for t heir polit ical profession s an d pract ices are
almost uni versally frie n dly t o t h e order an d happ in ess Of
our civi l in st it ut ion s I a m also ha ppy i n fin di n g t h i s
.

disposit ion p a r ticu l a r ly evin ced by your soci et y I t i s .

,

m oreover, my earn es t desire t hat t h e memb ers of every

associat i on or co mm un it y t hrou g hout t h e U n it ed St at es
m ay m ake such use of t h e auspicious years of pe ace, l i b
e rt y, an d free i n quiry w i t h w hich t hey are n ow favored as ,

t hey shal l hereaft er fin d occasion t o rejoice for havi n g

do n e.

Wit h g reat sat isfact io n I e mbrace t h i s opport un it y

t o express my ack n o w led g m e n t s for t h e in t erest my
affect i o n at e fell o w —cit izen s ha ve t ake n in my recove ry
fro m a lat e dan g erous in disposit i on An d I assure you, .

g en t le me n t hat in m e n t io n in g my O blig at i on s for t h e

,

eff usio n s of your ben evole n t w ishes on my be half I feel ,

an imat ed w it h n e w zeal t hat my co n duct may ever be

w ort hy Of your g ood O pin ion as w ell as such as shall, i n
,

every respect best com port w it h th e charact e r Of an i n

,

t e l l ig e n t an d accoun t able bein g .

GE O RGE WAS H I N GT ON .

W illiam Eu gen e Imla y associat ed w it h M r M u rray

, .

in t h is le tt er t o Pres iden t Wash in g t on w as at t ha t t im e

,

e n gag ed i n mercan t il e b usin ess in I ml ayst o w n M on ,

mou t h Co N J t h e pl ace Of h i s birt h Du rin g t he

.
,
. .
 WI LLI AM EU GENE I M LAY .
3 35

War for I n depe n den ce he w as commi ss i on ed Capt ain ,

Th ird Reg im en t Hun t erdo n al so Capt ain in th e C on ,

t in e n t a l A rmy I n 1 7 85 he purposed g o in g Wes t an d

.
,

received from Gover n or Liv in g s t on Of N e w Jersey a , ,

cert ificat e addressed ,

“ ”
To al l w hom it m ay con cern t hat “ William E ug en e ,

Imlay, w h o in t e n ds t ose t t le i n t h e West ern Coun t ry is ,

a g en t lem an w h o h as durin g our l at e co n fl ict w it h Great

,

Brit ain approved hi mself a decided an d act ive Wh i g ;

,

an d as t o his privat e an d m oral ch aract er i t is w i t hout ,

reproach He is moreover a g en tlem an Of liberal edu

.
, ,

cat ion an d hi ghl y est ee med by al l his acquain t an ces ”

, .

An o t her l e tt er g iven sam e t im e an d for t h e

at the
sam e purpose sign ed b y t h e m e m b ers of t h e Le g is
,

l at ive Coun c il an d Ge n era l A ssem bly o f N e w Jersey ,

speaks of h im as havin g served as capt ain in t h e arm y

w i t h repu t at i on If he w en t West h i s s t ay w as prob
”
.
,

ably very short I n 1 7 9 1 on cert ificat es S ho w in g t hat

.
,

he had st udied m edi cin e w it h Sam ue l F Co n over a n d .

,

att en ded t h e l ec t ures of Drs Rush an d S h ippen i n Phila.

delph i a he received a licen se t o pract i se med i cin e Su b

,
.

se q uen t l y he se tt led at Tom s River N J an d t here ’

,
.

prac t is ed medicin e in con n ect i o n w it h t h e sale Of mer

ch a n dis e He d ied in 1 80 3
. .

Le avin g N e w York an d passin g in t o Co n n ec t i cut ,

M r M urr ay w as i m port u n ed t o preach in ma n y p laces

. .

He t hus w r it es t o a fri en d
N E W HA V EN, A u g 2 4, 1 7 90
. .

Thus far you fin d I am on my w ay t o B ost on You

, ,
.

w on der perhaps I am n ot m ore rapid i n my pro g ress

, ,
I .

w o n der I a m so much so co n sideri n g h ow m uch I have

,

su ffered fro m t h e heat O f t h e w eat her a n d t h e w arm e n ~

33 6 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

t reat ies Ofso m an y be se e bhi n g frie n ds I t w ould g ive

‘
.

o u an d our Christ ian frie n ds i n g e n eral m uch real pleas

y
ure t o see h ow t h e w o r d O f our S aviour prevails t hroug h
t h e cou n t ry I t is g ain in g fast bu t w it hout m uch O bs or
.
,

vat io n i t bids fair t o be durable ; it is in it s pro g ress

S lo w bu t sure I h ave m e t w i t h m ore e n courag e m e n t
.

t han I expect ed an d w here I leas t expect ed it

,
1 have .

bee n st oppe d on t h e road by perso n s I n ever s aw before ,

w h o have m ost earn es t ly e n t reat ed m e t o s t o p a n d pre ach

t h e g ospel of our S aviour i n places w here I had n ever

preached M ee t i n g houses every w here t hrou g h t hi s S t at e
.
-

O p e n ed t o me n ot excep t i n g t h e ci ty O f N e w Have n
, ,

w here I n ow am an d w here y ou k n o w resides t h e Pres

, , ,

iden t St ile s an d t h e aut hor E d w ards bo t h of t he m so

, ,

violen t i n t heir O pposit io n t o m e an d t h e t es t im o n y t hat ,

by t h e w ill O f God I a m appoin t ed t o deliver B u t l e t

, .

me t ell you our e n e m ies ha ve helped t h e cause t hey i n

,

t e n ded t o des t roy an d I a m assured t here are m an y m ore

,

i n t his ci t y w h o believe t h e g ospel S i n ce M r E d w ards .

h a s w ri t t e n so lar g ely ag ai n s t it t ha n ever t here w ere

before This g e n t le m an has bee n t w ice t o hear m e S in ce
.

I came t o t his cit y I w ould t o God t here w ere mo r e

.

se n t servan t s of t h e L ivin g God t o publish t hese g lad

t idi n g s . T h e harvest in deed is g reat bu t t h e laborers
, , ,

are f e w L e t us t he n at t en d t o our L ord s ad m o n i t io n

.
’
,
‘
Pray ye t h e L ord of t h e harvest t hat he w ould se n d
fort h laborers ’ .

“
M y east ern co n n ec t io n s see m un easy t hat I am n ot
m ore i n has t e t o ret urn an d very m uch alarm ed i n con
,

sequen ce O f my so freque n t ly expressin g a w is h t o fix

my reside n ce w it h you Fro m t h e co mplexio n of t heir
.

let t e r s I have much reason t o doubt t h e g ain i n g t heir

,

co n se n t t o m ove t o t h e sout hw ard I dread w hat is be .

fore m e ; it is very pain ful t o be pulled differe n t w ays ,

an d t hat by i n cli n at io n also I t is hard t o quarrel w it h

.

people for g ivin g us a prefere n ce, an d very un n at ural t o

 MR . M URRAY ’S J OURNEY . 337

love t he m t h e less in co n sequen ce of t heir in crease of

aff ect io n ; y e t I foresee t hat I shall suff er i n co n sequen ce
of t h e aff ect io n of my frie n ds perhaps more t han my ,

e n e mies w e re ever able t o m ake me suff er on an y occa

sio n How ever I w ill look un t o m y Divi n e M ast er for
.
,

dire ct io n a n d pro t ect ion for i n crease O f fait h an d i n ,

crease Of pat ie n ce a n d po w er t o st an d s t ill kn o w in g

, ,
”
t hat h e is God .

La t er , he i
w r t es t o a n o ther P hil adelph ia frien d
I

proceedi n g s in Philadelphia r u n on before me all

Ou r
t h e w ay a n d g ave us as a people m uch m ore respect a
,

bil it y I n every place w here I had for m erly preached

.

t h e w o r d O f God I w as sou g ht aft er a n d i n m an y places ,

w here I had n ot I w a s surp rise d a t t h e appearan ce of

.

t hi n g s i n t h e J e r si e s a n d w a s sorry it w as n ot i n my ,

po w e r t o st ay t h e re lon g er I n N e w York I h ad n o .

place t o preach in an d t h e w eat her w a s in t olerably h ot

,
.

I m ade w hat hast e I could t o Co n n ect icut an d t here , ,

fro m m y first e n t ran ce in t o t h e St at e i n every t o w n t h e ,

m ee t i n g houses w ere O pe n ed t o receive m e a n d m an y

-
,

fait hful souls I m e t w here I did n ot expect t o m eet an y ,

.

S urely t his is t h e L ord s doi n g a n d it is m arvellous i n ’

,

our eyes I n so m e p art s of Co n n ect icut ho w ever I

.
, ,

foun d m uch t o t rouble m e n ot fro m my en e m ies bu t , ,

f r o m my frie n ds There are so m e da n g erous errors .

creepi n g i n am o n g t h e pe ople an d I am afraid t hey w ill ,

prevail They t each t hat t h e day of t h e L ord is past

.
,

t hat t here is n o fu t ure sorrow t o be apprehe n ded t hat ,

t here is n o Devil bu t i n t h e i mag in at io n — i n S hort if ,

,

you ever s aw t h e book t hat M r Relly w rot e ag ain st .

,

w ritt e n by on e Ric h ard Coppi n

1
you w ill fin d t h e pri n ,

c ipl e s n ow i n culcat ed by so m e w h o call t he m selves b e

1 Rich ar d C oppin flou r ish e d i n E n g l an d i n t he middl e O f t h e se ve n

y
t e e n t h ce n t u r , a n d w as t he s u b e ct of ma n pe r se cu t ion s I n Wh it
j y .

t e more s M ode rn H ist or

’
O f U n ive rsal ism (v ol y
i , e dit ion of 1860 , . .

V O L. I 22
’

.
33 8 UNI V ERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

l i e v e r s i n m an y
p art s of t his S t at e [M assachuse t t s ] a n d
Co n n ect icut On t his accoun t I w ish m uch t o t ravel fro m
.

place t o place in order if possible t o preve n t t h e spread

, , ,

O f t h ose an t i S cript ural n ot io n s ; at leas t t o l e t t h e pub

-

lic kn ow t hey are n ot t h e prin ci ples w e labor t o in culcat e .

I t is on t his accou n t also I w ish t o see ch urches es t ab

l i sh e d ; t hey w oul d have an eye t o all such t eachers a n d ,

if a n y of t he m t hroug h i g n oran ce publishe d falsehood ,

t hey w ould by bret hre n i n chu rch co n n ect ion be t au g ht

, ,

t h e w ay of God m ore cle arly B u t I fin d t hat t hose w h o .

h old t hese w ild n o t ion s are n ot fo n d of church fello w

ship t hey are fo n d of libert y i n it s w ildest lat it ude ”
, .

Who t hese U n iversalis t s w ere w e have n o k n o w l edg e ,

.

N oah M urray as w e have seen w as preach in g occasio n

, ,

all y in Con n ect icut He w a s n ot in accord w i t h Joh n

.

M urray in m an y Of h i s v ie w s t houg h i n w ha t p ar tic u ,

lars w e are n ot abl e t o l earn Possibl y he may have .

en t ert ain ed some of t h e v ie w s w h ich M r M urr ay here .

refers t o I n M as sachuset t s Cale b Rich w as prob abl y

.
, ,

as in t imat ed in a precedin g chapt er preach in g t hat sin ,

a n d it s con se q ue n ces w ere w ho ll y co n fi n ed t o flesh an d

bl ood .

pp 1 0 9
. w ill be f ou n d a n e x t e n de d n ot ice of h is l abor s a n d w r it
in g s F r om al l t h at w e can c oll e ct c on ce rn i n g t h is w r it e r , it appe ars
.

t h at h e w as a m an Of u n u su al st re n g t h Of min d, bu t w it h ou t t h e

a d v a n t a g e s Of lit e rat u re ; t h a t h e p os s e ss e d a f e rv id a n d l ive l i m ag i y

n at i on , an d e x e rc ise d it i n g iv in g all e g or ical in t e r pr e t at ion s of t h e

S c ript u re s, of w hic h me t h od of t re at in g t h e w or d of G od h e se e m s t o
h av e be e n e x ce ssi ve l y f on d ; t h a t h e h e l d ma n y
p u blic d ispu t a t ion s
w it h t h e cl e r g y of th e Pre sbyt e r ia n a n d I n de pe n de n t c h u rch e s , w hic h

c ircu m s t a n ce sh ow s t h at h e w as n ot be n e a th t h e ir n ot i ce , an d t h at t h e y
i
v ew e d h im as r at h e r da n g e r ou s t o t h e ir s c he me s O f divin it y t h at he
w as c al u m n iat e d a n d p e r se cu t e d f or h is r e lig iou s opin i on s , s u f f e r e d
m u ch in su pp or t of t he doct ri n e t h at he h a d e spou se d an d, fi n a ll , i t y
app e ar s t h at h e be l ie ve d i n t h e i m me dia t e ha
ppin ess of ma n in d w h e n k
de at h dissol ve s t h e e a r t hl y t aber n acl e .
”
 RI C HARD GRI DLEY . 33 9

Passin g from Con n ect i cut in t o Rhode Islan d , M r .

M urray spen t a f e w days in various part s Of t hat St at e ,

preach in g t o o l d fri e n ds an d t hen ce w en t t o Tau n t o n

,

an d S t ou h t on
g M ass ,
At t h e l at t er p lace he an t ici
.

pa t ed m uch en j oymen t in a vi s it t o his fri en ds of m an y

years , t h e fam il y Of Ge n era l Richard Gridl ey ; bu t
-

deat h had en t ered t ha t home t h e day b efore hi s arrival ,

an d h i s j oy w a s t ur n ed i n t o mourn in The fu n era l Of

g .

M rs Gr i dl ey an d ot her O ppor t u n it ies for re l ig i ous d i s

.
,

course w h i ch t h e fam il y an d n e ighb ors soug h t e n abled ,

h im t o presen t Un iversali sm t o t heir att en t i on as t h e

rel ig io n O f cer t ain co mfor t .

R i chard Grid l ey b orn in Bost on in 1 7 1 0 w as in

, ,

earl y l ife a surveyor an d c iv il en g in eer I n 1 7 44 he .

,

en t ered m ili t ary ser vi ce u n der Gen era l Pepperell erect ,

in g a ll t h e b a t t eries w h ich co m pell ed t h e surre n der Of

L ouis b urg an d dir ec t in g w it h h is ow n ha n d t h e ai m
,

O f t h e mor t ar w hich dropped a she ll d irect l y in t o t h e

fort ress an d w a s t h e imm ediat e cause of it s evacuat i o n

,
.

He al so p lan n ed t h e b att ery an d o t her fort ifica t ion s on , ,

Govern or s Is l an d i n Bos t o n Harb or t h e year follo w in g

’

, ,

t h e exped i t io n ag ai n s t Lou i s b urg in a n t ic i pa t i o n O f an ,

a tt a c k fro m t h e Fre n ch flee t Fort W i lliam Hen ry .

,

a n d a ll t h e for t ificat i o n s arou n d Lake G eorge w ere c on ,

s t ruc t ed on his p lan s an d un der h i s supervision A t

,
.

t h e seco n d t ak i n g of Lou i s b u rg he had charg e Of t h e ,

advan ced st ores Of t h e army ; at t h e sieg e O f Q uebec ,

un der Ge n eral Wo lfe he co mm an ded t h e art ill ery a n d

,

w he n on t h e res t orat ion O f peace he w e n t t o E n g l an d

, ,

t o ad j us t his accou n t s w it h t h e g overn m e n t t here w a s ,

b est o w ed upon h im for his dis t in g uished serv i ces t h e

, ,

M ag da l e n Is l es w it h an ext e n s i ve sea l an d cod fishery

, ,
3 40 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

an d a pen s io n Of half pay as a Brit i sh Offi cer On t h e

“

-
.

eve of our War for In depen den ce h i s reply t o a let t er ,

from his ag en t in En g l an d as t o w h i ch side he sho u l d ,

t ake up ar m s on w as I shall fig ht for j ust i ce an d m y

, ,

cou n t ry He w a s at o n ce pu t in co mm an d Of t h e
.
”

art i ll ery an d su b se q uen t ly w as appoin t ed Chief E n g i

,

n eer O f t h e f orce s n ow ra i s in g i n t he Co l o n y for t h e

defe n ce of t h e rig ht s of t h e A merican Co n t in en t He .

”

marked ou t t h e fort ifi cat i o n s a t Breed s H ill an d on ’

t h e day of t h e me m orabl e b a tt l e aided in w ork in g t h e ,

can n on ag a in st t h e Brit i sh A t his furn ace in S t oug h .

t on (t he part of t h e t ow n t hat i s n ow Can t o n ) he made ,

for t h e pat rio t arm y t h e first can n on an d mort ars ever

cast i n t h is coun t ry The b reast w orks an d redou bt a t
.

Dorchest er Heigh t s w ere pl an n ed b y h im Of t hem .

,

S ill ima n said i n h i s Journ a l ,

“
I n h i s t ory t hey w ere , ,

e qua lled o n l y b y t h e lin es an d fort s ra i sed b y Ju li us

C msa r t o surr oun d th e ar m y of Pompey I n 1 7 7 6 he .
,

w as
“
ordered b y Wash in gt on t o at t en d t o t h e f ort ifica
t i on s on Cape An n a n d pro t ect t h e harb or of G l ou ce s
,

t er
. Wh il e performin g h i s du t ies here he a tt en ded t h e ,

m in i s t ra t i on s O f t h e Rev J oh n M urray ; an d it w as bu t
.

a st ep for on e w h o had b een an admi rer o f M ayhe w

an d C h au n c
y t o b ecom e a dec i ded a n d e n t husias t ic
,

U n iversa li st When in depen de n ce w as g ain ed t h e

.
,

cit ize n s O f t h e t ow n in w h ich G en eral Grid ley had S O

l on g made h i s hom e det ermin ed on cel eb rat in g t h e gl ad
eve n t I t w as in 1 7 83
. .

M en have t ake n part in t h e dan g ers an d t rials

w ho
O f t h e w ar g ree t at t h e church door t heir co m pan ion s i n
,

arm s Youn g m e n an d m aide n s brave in holiday at t ire

.
, ,

co me from far an d n ear t o join in t h e fest i vit ies I n t h e .

 RI C HARD GRI D LEY .
3 41

pulpit s it s t h e past or w h o has m in ist ere d t o t hi s pe ople

for over half a ce n t ury an d by his side t h e d i st in g u ished
, ,

orat or of t h e day On t hat g reat day, w hen t h e th an ks

.

of t h e people w ere t o be ret urn ed t o t h e immort al vet e

ran s O f t h e w ar an d w he n t han ks g ivin g w as t o be Ofi e re d
,

t o A lmi g ht y God for t h e success of our arm s an d t h e ,

est ablish me n t O f t h e Republic Richa rd Gridley w as left ,

ou t i n t h e cold u n i n vit ed forced t o re m ai n at ho me

, , ,

a n d see w it h feeli n g s t hat can be be t t er i mag in ed t han

,

descri bed, th e g reat co n course Of people pas s his house

t o cele b rat e t h e ret urn of pe ace — t hat peace t o w h i ch he
,

h ad con t rib ut ed m ore t h an an y of t he m The ques t ion .

w ill n at urally be asked Wh y w a s a man , so dis t i n ,

g u ish e d i n t h e art O f w ar an d w it h S O n oble a record

, ,

allo w e d t o remain aw ay fro m t his celebrat ion Whe n

Pe dar e t u s, t h e S part an m issed t h e ho n or O f bein g elect ed
,

on e of t h e t hree h u n dred w h o h eld a dist in guished ran k

in t h e c it y he w e n t hom e w ell sat i sfied sayi n g he w as
, ,

g lad t o kn o w t here w ere t hree hu n dred me n in S p art a

more ho n orabl e t han he Gri dley coul d hardly say
.

t his. H a d he b ee n g uilt y of so m e hein ous crime, for

w hich he must b e os t racize d fro m t h e socie t y of his
n ei g hb ors an d t o w n speople ? F a r from it Gridley .

could n ot un derst an d t h is in t en t ion a l n eg lec t ; an d he

i n qui red of an in t im at e frien d O f his w h y i t w as t hat ,

he ha d rece ived n o i n vit at io n t o t h e celebrat io n His .

frien d reluct an t ly an sw ered h im in t hese w ords : B e

cause G en eral you are n ot con sidered by t hose havi n g
, , ,

t h e matt er i n charg e a Chr is t ian His frie n d alluded ’

, .

t o t h e fact t h at Gridl ey had becom e a U n iversalis t i n

rel igi o u s bel ief The O l d vet eran paused a mo m en t
.
,

dropped his head upon his breast an d t he n , w it h sol ,

e mn a n d impressive speech ut t ered t hese w ords : I ‘

,

l ove my God, my coun t ry an d m y n ei g hb or as myself

, .

If t hey h ave an y bett er reli g ion , I S hould like t o kn o w

’
w hat it is .
 342 UNI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Ge n era l Gridl ey d ied in 1 7 9 6, an d his fu n era l w as

at t en ded by M r M urray 1 . .

Ar ri ved in G l ouces t er M r M u rray w rot e to Phil a de l ,

.

ph ia N ov 1 ,
.

I s it do w n t o w rit e y ou , t his t ime w it h a m uch ,

g reat e r w e i g ht on my spiri t s t han I e ver felt on an y

former occasio n I am g rat eful for t h e affect ion you .

feel for me t h at m ade you w ish me t o m ake your loved

,

cit y my deli gh t ful ho m e ; bu t it mus t n ot be I am n ot .

permit t ed at t his t i m e, t o fix my reside n ce t here T e n

, .

m iles from Bost on , I w as me t by a committ ee from t h e

m ee t in g I have bee n lo n g e n g ag ed i n t here in order t o ,

g e t me t o con se n t t o fix my reside n ce w it h t he m They .

w il l n ot hear w it h pat ie n ce an y proposal for m y de

, ,

part u re I urg ed t o t hem at t hat t im e an d t h e S un day

.
, ,

t hat I spe n t w i t h t hem t o t h e w hole S ocie t y t hat t hey , ,

had a Dr L at hrop, an d a M r Cl arke 2 w h o w ere said t o

. .
,

1 For t h e se f ac t s, w e a re in de bt e d to an orat ion by D an ie l T V . .

Hu n t oon at t he de dica t ion of a mon u me n t t o Ge n e ral G ridl e , at

, y
C an t on , M ass , M ay 3 0 , 1 8 7 7 ; a n d t o an a rt icl e on “ M a o
. r G e n e ral j -

y
Richard G ridl e , ” by Re v E dw in D a vis , i n t he U n i ve r sal ist Q u ar . ~

te rl y, f or u l , 1 8 7 6 J y
Th e m on u me n t ere ct e d t o his m e mor be ars t he
. y
f oll ow in g in scri pt ion s
“
T his mon u m e n t i s e r e ct e d, by t he c i ti e n s of C an t on , t o t he z
y
me mor of Rich ar d Gr idl e , as a t ribu t e of h on or an d g rat it u de to y
on e w h ose lif e w as spe n t in t he se rvice of h is cou n t r B or n J an 3 , y . .

1 7 10 . D ie d J u ne 2 1,
“
A ve te ran of t h ree w ars . He c omman de d t he ar t ill e r y of His
M j ys
a est
’
ar m y
L ou i sbu r g ; h e st ood by t h e si de of
at th e si e
ge of
Wol f e a t t he f all of Q u e be c ; an d a s M a or G en e ral , an d Chie f E n gi j -

n e e r O f t he P
a t ri ot Ar m , h e y
pl an n e d t h e f ort i fica t ion s on B un er Hill , k
an d on t h e day of t h e bat t l e , f e ll w ou n de d .
”

I fig h t f or u st ice an d my cou n t r ’
sh all j y .

I l ove my G od, my c ou n t r , a n d my n e ig hbor a s m se lf ’ Was h y y .

in g t on w rote : k
I n ow of n o ma n be t te r fi tt e d t o be C hie f E n in ee r
g
t han G e n e ral G r idl e
’
y .

2 Re v . J oh n L at h r op, D D . .
, w as pas tor of t h e Ol d Nort h or S e con d
, ,

C hu rch . A f te r t h e Re vol u t ion , h is c on

g re g a t ion u n it e d w it h t h e w on
 T HREATE NED LAW SUI T -
.
3 43

be in t h e w ay of t rut h They replied t hat eve ry on e .

,

w h o w e n t t o hear eit h e r of t he m i n exp e c t at io n of h ea r ,

i n g t h e g ospel foun d t he m selves m iserably disappoi n t ed ;

,

t h at t h ey w ere bot h t im e servi n g m e n a n d i n deed di d -

, , ,

n ot se e m t o have t h e k n ow l e d e O f t h e t rut h On t h e
g .

w hole t hey declared t hey w ould n ot g ive t h eir co n s e n t

,

t h ey coul d n ot hol d m e bu t if I m ov e d fro m Glouces t er , , ,

t h ey w ould e n g a g e t o g ive m e as g oo d su pp ort as a n y of

t h e clerg y i n t h e t o w n of Bos t o n h ave I t he n i n form e d .

t h e m O f a proposal m ade m e i n Co n n e c t icut w hich w a s , ,

n ot t o set t le an y w h ere b u t as lo n g as I w a s able pass, , ,

an d repass from Bos t o n t o Phila delphia visi t i n g t h e ,

various places w h ere I have preach ed t h e w ord of God ,

a n d w here I a m an xio u sly desire d t o preac h i t T h is .

last pro p osal I s e e m in clin ed t o t hin k w ould be m ore

, ,

for t h e g ood of t h e cause w e a r e e mbarke d i n God o n ly .

kn o w s w h at is t o be don e w it h m e or by m e I can com e ,

.

t o n o d e t er m in at io n a t prese n t .

“
M y de t erm i n ed foes i n t his place have broug ht m e
i n t o t h e l a w ag ain I had n ot bee n i n t his t o w n on e
.

hou r before I w a s served w it h a w rit a n d am oblig e d t o ,

defen d m yself o n ce m ore I t is said t hey can n o t h u rt .

m e bu t t hey have hurt m e already — t h ey h ave w ou n d e d

, ,

my p e ace T h ey w ill obli g e me a g ain t o have recourse

.

t o law yers a n d t hey w ill pu t m e t o m o r e exp e n s e

,
—at
,

least m y frie n ds w ill be t o m o r e expe n s e

,
an d t hat ,
-

”
w ill m ake m y bo n d here so m uch t h e s ro g r
t n e .

The occas io n of t h i s su it w a s a decisi on of t h e court s ,

t hat a reside n t of an in corporat ed par i sh cou l d n ot

divert t h e t ax i m posed on h im for t h e support of re li
g i o n s w orsh i p t o m a i n t ain a n u n i n corporat ed socie t y
,
.

Th i s w as a reversal of th e deci s i on of 1 7 86 an d of , ,

shi
pp e r s in t h e “
Ne w B r ic k Ch u r ch , on H an ov e r st r e e t . Re v .
Joh n

C l ar k e, D D . .
, m e n t ion e d i n pre ce d in g ch a pt e r as c oll e ag u e w it h D r
a .

C ha u n c y , be c a m e t h e su c ce ss or of t h e l a t t e r a t t he F irs t C hu rc h .
344 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A.

co u rse t hre w Ope n t h e w ho le quest io n w h ich it w as

, ,

s u pposed had t hen b ee n decided . For some reason ,

t h e su i t w a s n ot pressed t o t ria l ; bu t t h e Gl ou ces t er

soc ie t y w eary o f such an n oyan ces an d in dread o f
, ,

t he ir repeti t i o n pe t it ion ed t h e L eg is l a t ure f or an a ct

,

O f in corporat i o n w hich w a s g ran t ed J u n e 28 1 7 9 2 i n

, , ,

w h i ch t hey w ere n amed The In depen den t Chri st i an

Chu rch in Gl oucest er ”
.
 C HAPT E R V .

1 7 91 1 7 93 .

S T T T
A IS I CS F U RN I S H E D BY M R . M U R RA Y To M I SS HA N N AH AD A M S
‘

VI E W OF RE LI G I ONS .
”
AR T I C LE S OF FA I T H BY ADO P TE D TH E

C H U RC H IN B T OS ON . E FF T OR S M AD E T o I N D U C E O T C G G HE R ON RE A
T I O N S T o AD O PT T HEM . R W EV . I LL I A M HA WK I NS R M P . EV . R . OD
L A RD . LE TT ER on T HE C V T ON EN ION ON F T U U REP T UN I SH M E N .

CO N V T EN I ON HY M N- RO O K . P
C O M O S I rI O N O F T HE S 17 91 E S SI O N I N .

RE V . M I C H AE L C O l-F I N
‘

. RE V JO A . B YO U N G R Z B . EV . E U LO N
T T
S RE E E R — RE V WI LL I A M . RE V H O S E A B A L LO U
. FA RE W E L L . . .

S E N s AT I O N C A U S E D RE V J O N A H AN M A XC Y S S E RM O N O N T H E BY . T ’

DE A H O F RE V J A M E S M A N N I N , D D — M R M U RRA ’S
T . AM H LE G . . . Y P P T
O N FO R M I N G
A C H RI S I A N CH U RC H , E T C — RO S E RI IN T I I E DE .
~
P P TY T
N O M I N A I O N I N 17 92 T NE W H M N B OO T H E H I L AD E L H I A C O N
. Y -
K . P P
V E NT I O N T
RE Q U E S F O R T H E FO RM A I O N O F A C O N E N T I O N I N N E W
. T V
G
EN L A ND A N O H E R RE Q U E S
. B O H GRA N E D T RE V A E L T . T T . B
S A RJ E N T
D I I N E S O E RE I N
. V
A N D F RE E W I L I V
T RO U B L E S O C G TY
BY P T
( AS I O N E D
‘
DI S U E S O N AL S O , O N T H E Q UE S I O N O F N O FU U R E . T T
P T
UN I SH M EN T C O N D I I O N O F T HE D E NO M I N A I O N I N N E W E N L A N D
. T G .

B
— RE V A E L S A RJ E N T ’S “
.
Q U E S I O N S T o T H E T E A C H E RS I N I S R A E L
"
T .

P B T
RE U LI C A I O N O F , I N G E RM A N , A N D D I S ( U S S I O N O N T H E H I LA '

. P
P V T
D E L H I A CO N EN I O N O F 17 93 A L I C E B RO W N A N D T H E C H U RC H AT .
,

V
N E W HA N O E R, N J — C H A N E O E L A C E O F WO R S H I
. IN . HI LA G P P P
P
D EL H I A N E W C H U RC H O N
. IM A RB S R E E T H E FRE E UN I B T T .

V G
E RS AL M A A Z I N E
” —
U N I A RI A N U N I E R S A L I S M F RE E RE LI I O US
. T V . G
G TY
EN Q U I R I N S O C I E C H R I S O H E R M A R S H A LL , O N I N E N S E FU U RE
. T P T T
P T
UN I S H M E NZ HI S E A L F O R T H E S R E A D O F U N I E RS A LI S M
. P V .

C H RI S O H E R G AD S D E N , O F > O UT H C A RO L I N A , A U N I E RS A L I S
T P V T .

RE V J B A I LE
. “ N T H E D E N I A L O F FU U RE
. Y . UN I S H M E N RE V T P T . .

WI L L I A M B LE D S O E U N I E R S A LI S S I N EN UC . TES I M O N V T K T KY T . Y
O F RE V E E R C A R W RI
. P T H TO HI S AC RE V J A M E S O
T ELL ,G T T F T K . . . Y
FO U N D E R O F T H E RE U LI C A N M E H O D I S C H U R C H P
DR B E E R L B T T V . . Y
A LL E N C H ” O N AN I T RI N I T A RI A NI S M
. . .RE V A E L S A RJ E N T -
B . . T
G
A AI NS FU U R E TUN I S HM E N T
— A LS O A A I N S
, P
V I C A RI O U S A O N E T G T T .

M EN T N E W EN L I N D C O N EN I O N O R A N I Z E D
. G M R M U RR A V T G . . Y
V
M O E S T o B O S O N I N 1 7 93 T
RE V N O A H M U RR A , A N D T H E C O N E R . Y V .

S I O N O F RE V M O S E S AR — B I O RA H I C A L S KE r C H O F RE V M O S E S
. P K G P . .

PA HK C O LO N E L J O S E H KI N U S B U R Y
. JO S E H I N N E , ES Q P P K Y . .

M RS J U L I A H S C O
.
— JO S E H YO U N G M D .
, ,
TT
I U B LI S H ES CA L I N
. P V . .
’

I SM AN D UNI E RS A L I S M C O N RA S E D V ”
B I O RA H I C A L S E C H O F T T G P K T .

D H YO U N
. G .

O M I NG t o t h e year 1 7 9 1 w e fin d amo n g t h e ear ,

liest it em s of h i s t ori c i n t erest a l ett er of M r .

 3 46 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

M urray u n der dat e Of Jan uary 7 addressed t o a P hil

, ,

adelphia co rrespon den t in w h ich i s t h e follo w in g : ,

“
iss Han n ah Adams so m e t im e sin ce w rot e a n a c
M
coun t O f t h e various de n o m i n at io n s foun d in t h e C h rist ian ,

or pe rhaps i t m ay w i t h m ore propr ie t y be said i n t h e

, , ,

a n t i Christ ian w o r ld w i t h t h eir various t e n e t s S h e is

-
, ,
.

n ow g oi n g t o g ive t h e public a n e w e dit ion of t his SO

useful a n d e n t ert ai n in g w ork Her fat her called on m e .

aw hile a g o request i n g me t hat I w ould furn ish t h e m

,

w it h an accou n t of ou r pri n ciple s a n d t h e n u m ber O f our ,

co n n ect ed churches or societ ies I referred t h e m t o t h e .

Art icles of t h e Co n ve n t io n for t h e form er an d p ro m ised ,

I w ould w ri t e t o m y Philadelphia frie n ds for t h e lat t er ,

S O far as t heir m ean s O f i n for m at io n m ay ext e n d You .

w ill m y g ood frie n d ob t ain w hat in form at io n you can

, , ,

by all t h e in quiri e s you c an m ake by let t er or ot her

w is e an d se n d on t h e i n t elli g e n ce t o m e as soon as you
,
”
c an .

The w ork t hus

referred t o A Vie w of Re lig i on s ,

etc .etc —
, co n t a i n s fourt ee n pag es of t h e respect ive
.

v ie w s of Dr Ch au n cy an d M r M urray ; devo t es half a

. .

page t o a descript i on of t h e Phi lade l phia Con ven t ion ,

w hich i s a ll t h e U n i versa li s t con ve n t ion t ha t it m e n

t io n s ; an d s t at es t ha t i n M assachuse t t s t here are four

co n g regat i o n s of U n iversali s t s emb racin g t h e se n t im en t s
of Rev M r M urray There are a l so Chau n ce an U n i
. . .

ve rsal ist s
( g
pa es 2 5 7 — 2 65 3 7 4 The ab se n ce Of
, ,

an
y m e n t io n of t h e assoc ia t io n for m ed a t O xford i n
1 7 8 5 seems u n der t h e c i rcums t a n ces co n c l usive proof
, , ,

t hat i t had ceased t o ex i st .

M e n t io n w as m ade in t h e preced in g chap t er O f oppo

s it io u in org an i zin g t h e C hurch in Bost o n t o t h e w ordin g
of t h e Art icl es of Fa it h as b e i n g de f ect ive in st a t e m e n t
,
 C REED or T HE B O S T O N C HURCH . 34 7

i
w th regard t o t h e d iv in it y of Chri s t bu t t hat t he ,

O ppos it i on had b een overcome a n d t h e Ar t i c l es adop t ed ,

w i t hout a l t era ti on Th is w a s alleg ed t o have b een don e

.

in Jan uary 1 7 9 1 ,
A mon t h la t er as appears from t h e
.
,

records t h e Oppos it i on succ eeded i n carry in g several

,

amen d m en t s an d in recastin g t h e Art i c les in t h e fol

,

l o w in g for m
W e belie ve i
t h e S cr p t ur es of t h e Ol d an d N e w Test a
men t s i
t o co n t ai n a revelat io n of t h e perfect o n s a n d w ill
of G od a n d t h e rule of fai t h a n d pract ice
, .

We believe i n on e God in fin it e i n all His perfect io n s

, .

an d t ha t t hese perfect io n s ar e all m odificat io n s of adora ~

ble i n co m prehe n sible, an d un chan g eable love m an i fest e d

, ,

t o us in Ch r i s t J e su s .

We believe t hat t h e S pirit O f God w ill i n due seaso n , ,

so e ffect ually t each all m e n t h at t h e eart h w ill be fille d

w it h t h e k n o w led g e O f t h e L ord (w ho m t o kn o w is life
e t e rn al) as t h e w at ers cover t h e sea : for it is w ri tt e n ,

Th ey shall be all t aug ht of God .

’

We believe i n t h e O blig at io n O f t h e moral precept s of

t h e S cript ures as t h e ru le of li fe ; an d w e hold t h at t h e
love of God m an ifest ed t o m a n i n a Redeem er is t h e best
m ean s of producin g a holy ac t ive an d useful life , ,
.

These al t erat i o n s w e m ay suppose w ere in t e n ded t o

, ,

make a more exp l i cit s t at em e n t of Re llyan i s m Cer .

t a in l y t hey are n ot an y m ore Tr i n it arian t ha n w ere

t hose w h i ch t hey supp l an t ed The b as is o f t h e Rell yan
.

t heory as b e f ore s t at ed w as S a b e llia n

, ,
.

The Bost on church hav in g set t l ed upon t h e ab ove

,

A rt ic l es O f Fa it h soug h t t o b rin g o t her con greg a t i on s

,

i n t o organ ized f orm on t his b asis an d t o t h i s e n d w rot e ,

t o t h e b eli evers in Graft on At t l eb orough M ilford , , ,

Bell in g ham Warw i ck an d Egremo n t M ass Prov i den ce

, , ,
.
, ,
348 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

R I an d N obl e t o w n Col u mbia Co N Y H ow ma n y

. .
, ,
.
,
. .

of t hese respon ded favora bl y is n ot kn o w n The societ y .

in Egremo n t refused t o adop t i t q ueryin g w he t her a ,

part icular compact ca n b e en t ered in t o t o sat is fy t h e

d ifferen t m emb ers in so larg e a fie l d .
”

Rev Cal eb Rich for t h e S oci et y i n Warw ick re

.
, ,

Sp on de d expressin g a preferen ce for t h e

,

“
Ar t icles
of Fait h adopt ed by t h e Co n ven t io n at Phil a
d e lphia They are by all our br e t hren i n t hese part s
.
, ,

jud g ed t o be m ore con sis t en t w it h t h e libert y of t h e

g ospel t han a n y t h at ever w ere prese n t ed t o our V ie w
before We j oin i n sayin g t hat t hey are expressive of
.

our belief i n t h e lively oracles e t c We have adopt ed

'

.
,

Ar t i cles of Fait h al m os t w ord for w or d w it h t he m a n d ,

have an n exed t o t he m a coven an t or un it in g co mpact ;

an d i t is o n ly for w an t O f opport un it y t h at w e do n ot
”
e n close a copy of t h e sam e .

At t h eseco n d sessi o n o f t h e Con ven t i o n at P hil a

delphia in M ay it w as apparen t says t h e c ircu l ar l e t
, , ,

t e r t ha t t h e reco mm e n da t io n of t h e former sessio n t ha t

,

t hose w h o b e lieve w i t h u s in t h e sa l vat i on of a ll m e n

S hou l d assoc ia t e an d form t hemse l ves i n t o churches has ,

b een co m pl i ed w it h t o a deg ree w hich has e quall ed ou r

mos t san g u in e expect at io n s Several churches have like .

w i se formed w h i ch are t oo remo t e t o u n it e w it h us

, .

O n e n e w m in i s t er w as in a tt e n dan ce on t hi s sess i on ,

— Rev Wil li a m Haw k in s Of M ary l a n d

. co n cern in g
, ,

w hom w e have n o furt her in format i on .

M r Haw kin s repor t ed t hat Rev M r P ollard had

.
. .

comm e n ced preachin g Un i versali s m in M aryl an d an d ,

had b een assail ed w it h t h e Charg e t hat U n iversali st s

den y fu t ure pun ishme n t an d desired i n format io n as t o
,
 F UT U RE P UNI S HM E NT . 3 49

w ha t t heory on su bj ect w as e n dorsed b y t h e

t ha t
Co n ve n t io n M aj or James M oore w as appoin t ed t o
.

draft a n an sw er a n d t h e fo ll o w in g w as approved b y
,

t h e Con ven t io n

PH I L A D E L P H I A , M ay 2 8, 1 7 9 1 .

D ea r B r ot h e r in B elief f
o We h ave had
t h e T ru th ,
a visit fro m our Bro t her Haw kin s w h o hat h b e e n r e ,

c e i v e d as a m e m ber i n our Co n ve n t io n m e t i n t h is ci t y

t h e 2 5 t h i n s t an t .He h at h g ive n us such a re port of you ,

a n d t h e h o p eful evide n c e s of God s u n iversal love an d

’

po w er pre vaili n g i n your part s a n d u n d e r your labors as ,

re j oic e s us an d for w hich w e desire t o be t h an kful .

B r o t h e r Haw ki n s m e n t io n ed your re que s t t o t h e Con

v e n t i on t h at t hey w oul d fur n ish you w i t h such evi d e n ces

O f t h ei r fait h as m i g ht e n able you t o co n t radict a n d p u t t o

S ile n ce t hose w h o ei t her t hro u g h m al i ce or i g n oran c e as

, ,

sert t h at w e den y fut ure pun ish me n t by h oldi n g t h at all ,

t h e fall e n so n s of A da m t h e g ood a n d t h e b
, a d t h e believer ,

an d t h e u n believe r g o an d ap pear equally alike h appy i n

,

t h at s t at e t h at shall t ake p lace aft er t h e dissolu t io n of

t his bo dy . T h e Con ve n t io n are w ell con vi n ced t h at t his
un ju st slan der do t h t oo m uch pre va il am o n g t h ose t hat
are i g n oran t of ou r t rue pri n ciples N o t w it h s t an din g all
.

our w rit in g s a n d public declarat io n s an d privat e co n ver

sa t i on s do d e clare t o t h e co n t rary t h ey have ordere d m e
,

t o w rit e you a f e w li n es on t hat subject ; a n d as you w ill

h ave a n O p p o rt u n i t y of heari n g a n d receivi n g fro m
Bro t her Ha w ki n s our sen t i me n t s m ore fully I sh all be ,

short .

“
We do disclaim n eit her are w e in co n n ect ion w it h
, ,

a n y t hat hold t h e above se n t i m e n t

(if such t h e re be) .

S o f a r fro m t h at w e do believ e t hat all t hat die w it h out

,

t h e k n o w led g e of t h e i r salv at io n i n Chris t J e sus m us t be

called u n believe r s a n d i n t h e S cri pt ure se n se do die in
, ,

t heir S i n s ; t hat s u c h w ill n ot be purg ed fro m t heir sin s

35 0 UNI VERSALI SM I N A M ERI CA .

or un belief by deat h bu t n ecessarily m ust appear in th e

,

n ext s t at e u n d er all t hat darkn ess fear an d t or m e n t a n d

, , ,

con scious g uilt w h ich is t h e n at ural co n se que n ce of t h e

u n belief of t h e t rut h What m ay be t h e de g ree or dura
.

t io n of t h is s t at e of u n belief an d m isery w e k n o w n ot .

B u t t h is w e k n ow if i t be t h e j ust j ud g m e n t a n d chas
,

t i se m e n t of our God w h o is t h e Fat her of all spirit s

, ,

t hat i t hat h on e u n iform a n d i n variable e n d n a m ely t h e , ,

g ood of t h e creat ure For t h e Fat her chast iset h every

.

s on he lovet h an d if w e are w it hout c h ast ise m en t

,

(w h e re of all are part akers) w e are bast ards an d n ot son s

, .

A n d here w e see t hat chas t ise me n t is an u n doubt ed evi

de n ce of all t hat are chast ised bei n g so n s a n d w e k n o w ,

t here are n o bast ards for all are chast ised

,
We do k n o w .

t h at by fait h N oah believe d God an d beca m e h e i r of

t h e ri g h t eous n ess w hic h is by fait h by w hich be c on ,

de mn e d t h e w orld B u t w e do kn o w (at l e ast by t h e

.

aut horit y of t h e Apos t le Pet er) t hat aft er our S aviour

an d t heirs w a s pu t t o deat h i n t h e fl esh an d quicke n ed

by t h e S pirit he w en t an d preached t o t hose very i de n t i

,

cal S pi r it s t hen i n priso n w hich so me t i m e h a d b e e n dis

obedie n t ; an d w e do kn o w by t h e sam e aut hori t y t h at
t h e g ospel w a s preached also t o t he m t hat are dea d t hat ,

t hey m i g ht be jud g ed accordi n g t o m e n i n t h e fl esh bu t ,

live accordin g t o God i n t h e S pirit We do kn o w t hat .

S odo m an d Go morrah suffered t h e ve n g e an ce of e t er n al

fire bu t w e do kn ow by t h e sa m e aut horit y t hat t hey
, ,

t o g et her w i t h t h e rebellious h ouse of Israel shall be r e ,

st o re d as is clearly s e t fort h i n t h e sixt ee n t h of E zekiel s

,
’

prophecy .

“
B u t i t w ould be n eedless t o repeat all t hose divi n e
reco rds t hat hol d fort h t h e re st i t ut io n of all t hi n g s
S poke n of by all t h e holy prophe t s si n ce t h e w o r ld b e g an .

We w oul d refer you t o t his mat t er as m e n t ion e d by Dr .

S t o n e h ouse Ram sey M r R e lly Dr C h au n cy M r Wi n

, , .
,
.
, .

ches t er an d m an y m ore ; an d t o t w o s m all pieces n ow

,
 DENOM I NATI ONA L G ROWT H . 35 1

o r dered t o be prin t ed as a n a n sw er t o Dr S am uel Jo n es .

’

illiberal un just foolish an d i n co mpet e n t let t e r w rit t e n

, , , ,

by h i m an d adopt ed by t h e Bapt ist A ssociat io n i n N e w

,

York as t h eir C ircular let t er .

“
N ow dear fri e n d ho w ever y ou may be e n able d t o
, ,

defe n d in public Go d s un iversal love a n d po w er an d in

’
,

co n sequen ce t h e rest orat io n O f all his creat ures a n d ,

preach t hat it is n ot t o be perfect e d i n t i m e bu t i n t h e ,

dis p e n sat io n of t h e fuln ess of t im e y e t m an y t h at ev e n ,

t h us h ear your labors w ill g o aw ay an d say you h ol d n o

fut ure p un ish m e n t ; for such t here are y e t in t h e w orld
w h o are despisers a n d w ill n ot believe alt hou g h a man
,

decl ar e it un t o t h e m B u t be n ot discourag ed t rut h w ill

.
,

prevail .

I a m, dear brot her ,

Your soul s w ell w isher in Jesus ’ -

,

J M . .

T he Co n ve n t io n al so gave it self t o t h e co n siderat i o n

of t h e n eed of a h ym n b ook an d appoi n t ed a co m mi t t ee
-
,

t o prepare a collect ion of w hich w e shall say more i n,

a chapt er on hy m n ol ogy There w ere presen t a t t h e .

sessio n del eg at es from eigh t socie t ies excl usive Of t h e ,

co n greg at ion s or org an iz at i on s in M aryla n d These .

w e r e Ph il ade l ph i a N e w Brit ai n Pit t sg r ov e Pil e sgr ov e

, , , , ,

Kin g w ood Cape M a y Upper Freehold Shiloh The

, , ,
.

four las t a ll locat ed in N e w Jersey w ere n e w org an i

, ,

z at ion s ch iefly co m posed of co n ver t s fro m t h e Bap t is t s

, .

Those at Sh il oh cam e off fro m t h e S even t h—Day

Bap t i s t s .

A t t h e eas t w ard t here w ere a l so g ai n s in 1 7 9 1 .

Early i n t h e year M i chael Co ffin w a s preach in g in

C l are n do n a n d Paw l et V erm o n t an d Whit ehall Gran
, ,

v i lle a n d Bal ls t on in N e w York M r Coffi n a n at ive

, ,
. .
,
352 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

of Caven d i sh V t w as a schoo l t eacher b efore en t eri n g

,
.
,
-

t h e mi n i st ry an d perhaps for so m e t i m e aft er

,
He w as .

a m a n of a c l ear an d log ical min d an d of q uick percep ,

t ion an d ready w i t He it i n erat ed f or several years in

.

V ermo n t an d N e w Hampsh ire a n d in so me par t s of ,

M assachuse tt s supp ly in g t h e soc i e t y in O xford on e

,

half of t h e t ime durin g t hree years b egin n in g i n 1 7 94 ,

.

S ub se q ue n t ly he w it hdre w from t h e m in is t ry an d se t
t l e d i n Wes t ern N e w York w here be devot ed m os t of ,

h i s t im e t o t h e prac t i ce of t h e Th ompson ian syst em of

medi ci n e .

Joab Youn g a l so commen ced t o preach ab ou t t h e

same t M e i n t h e reg i o n Of Gran t ham Warn er an d , ,

Deerin g N H Poss ibly he may have en g ag ed in th e

,
. .

w ork a f e w years b efore t his He w as says th e lat e ”

.
,

Dr Whitt emore an arde n t preacher an d excit ed m uch

.
, ,

at t e n t i on i n his day Aft er preach in g in some part s Of

. .

N e w H a mpsh ire he set t led in St raff ord V t w here w e

'

.
, , , ,

be l ieve he died 1
, .
”

Zeb u l o n St reet er a brot her of A dams St reet er be , ,

fore m en t io n ed comme n ced preachin g as earl y as 1 7 9 1

, .

He w as a sain t l y man Of great m ora l exce ll en ce an d , , ,

as w e shall hereaft er see Oft e n occup ied post s of d is ,

t in ct io n amon g his b re t hre n espec i all y a t c on ve n t i on ,

seaso n s H i s men t al ab il it ies w ere O f a h ig h order ;

.

bu t h i s gift s Of speech w ere meag re a n d he i s report ed ,

t o have said “
I w oul d w ill in gly par t w it h all my
:

eart h l y possess i o n s if it w oul d make me abl e t o ,

preach wi t h t h e e l oque n ce of m y b ro t h er Adam s He .

d ied in S ept e m b er 1 80 8 in t h e t o w n of S u rrey N e w, , ,

Hampshire .

1 L if e of Re v H ose a B . all ou , v ol . i pp 83 , 84
. . .
 HOSEA B ALLOU . 35 3

Willi am Farew ell w h o had emb raced th e doct rin e of ,

U n iversa li sm n ot far fro m t h e year 1 7 88 w as orda in e d ,

at Char l es t o w n N H in 1 7 9 1 Revs Ca l e b R i ch a n d
,
. .
, , .

Ze b u l o n St reet er co n duct in g t h e services N e w Hamp .

sh ir e M assachuset t s V ermo n t M a in e an d some part s

, , , ,

O f N e w Y ork St at e w ere h i s fiel d O f l ab or I n the , .

b eg in n in g s of his m in i s try he recei ved li tt l e or n o ,

compen sa t io n for h is services bu t spe n t it i s said , , ,

q u it e a co m fort abl e est at e S chool houses b arn s groves .

, , ,

an d d w ellin
g houses w ere h is ordin ary p l aces Of w or
-

shi p He w as w el l read in t h e Scri pt ures a n d sk il

.
-
,

fu l in u sin g t hem i n deb at es w hich in hi s day w ere , , ,

fre q uen t .

”
His si n ceri y,
says Rev W S Balch w as n ever
t . . .
,
“

calle d i n quest io n n ot even by h i s clerical O ppo n e n t s

, ,

w h o t hou g h t h i m deluded A l l ho n ored his m ild n ess .

a n d s w ee t n e ss of t e m per an d respect e d h i m as a g e n ui n e ,

Christ ian ho w ever severely t hey ce n sure d his heret ical

,

opin ion s I t w as O ft en said of hi m by his opposers t hat

.
, ,

his l if e did more evil t han his preachi n g ” .

He di ed at a n advan ced age in Barre V t i n , ,

.
,

B u t b y far t h e mos t e min e n t an d in flue n t ia l of a l l

w h o en t ered t h e U n i versa lis t min i st ry at t h i s t i me w a s ,

Hosea Ball ou The s on Of Rev M at uri n Ball ou a Bap

. .
,

t is t c l erg yman he w as b orn i n R i chmo n d N H A pril

, ,
. .
,

30 1 7 7 1
,
Just b efore reach in g his n in e t een t h year he
.
,

b ecam e t h e subj ect of a rev ival a n d u n ite d w it h t h e ,

1 S e v e ral bl e biog raphical S e t ch e s Of M r F are w e l l h av e be e n

val u a k .

w r it t e n , on e b y Re v
- . J
E Pal me r , pu bl is h e d i n t h e C h ris t ia n Re
. .

p os it ory , i n 1 8 5 3 ; on e by Re v W S B al c h, in t h e U n i e r sal st U n o ,
v i . i n . .

A pr il , 1 840 ; an d an ot h e r by Re v Le mu e l Wil l is, i n T he U n ive rsal ist . ,

J a n u ar y ,
1 87 5

V OL . I .
35 4 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A.

church of w h i ch h is fat her w as t h e past or Alm os t .

imm ed iat e ly how ever his at t en t i o n w a s dra w n t o t h e

, ,

su bj ect of U n iversali sm b y con versat ion w it h J ames ,

Ballou prev i ously m en t i o n ed a dis t an t relat ive an d

, , ,

o t hers w h o occas i on all y at t e n ded on t h e min i s t ry of

Rev Cal eb Ri ch
. St i mu l a t ed b y t hei r d iscourse he
.
,

soo n by t h e fresh st udy of t h e Bibl e b ecame co n v in ced

, ,

of t h e t ru t h of t h e doct ri n e w h i ch t hey advocat ed He .

t he n w e n t t o res i de w it h h i s b ro t her Dav id w h o had ,

b eco m e a U n i versali st preacher ; an d w it h some assis t

a n ce from hi m in i n vest igat in g t h e S cript ures an d at ,

his so licit at i o n Hosea preached hi s firs t sermo n in t h e

,

fall of 1 7 9 1 H i s frie n ds w h o heard h im had t heir

.
“

dou bt s w het her he had a t al en t for such la b or His .

secon d at t empt w as a co m pl et e fail ure ; bu t he perse

vered an d al mos t i mm ediat el y g ave his en t i re t i me t o
,

t h e w ork of t h e m in is t ry a n d co n t in ued u n in t errup t ed ly ,

i n it for n early S ix t y t w o years He early exert ed an

-
.

in fluen ce in Shapin g t h e t hough t O f t h e Un iversal is t

Church an d t o h im m ore t han t o an y o t her its prese n t
, , ,

sys t e m of t heo l ogy i s due As w e progress in t h e record .

of our h ist ory w e S hall have fre q uen t occas i on t o

,

con si der his v iew s an d h i s l ab ors ,

.

N O lit t l e se n sat i o n w as exc it ed in N e w En gl an d b y

t h e publi ca t i o n in 1 7 9 1 o f a sermon preached b y Rev
, , .

Jo n at han M axcy A M on t h e deat h of Rev Jam es ,

. .
, .

M a n n in g D D , Presiden t of Rhode Is l an d Colleg e

. .
, ,

n ow Bro w n U n i versit y The firs t ed it io n of t h i s ser .

m on con t ain ed se n t e n ces w hich con veyed t h e i m pres

sio n t o it s readers t hat th e au t hor w as a b eliever in
U n iversal S al vat i on an d in co n se quen ce n o l it t l e c on , ,

t r ove r s y foll o w ed M r M urray i n t ran s m itt in g a C opy

. .
,
 JONAT HAN M A CY X . 35 5

of t h e serm on t o h i s f rie n d Rev Rob ert Reddin g a , .

,

Bap t ist m in i st er in E n gl an d t hus w rot e : ,

I e n cl ose you m y loved frie n ds a fun eral s e r m on

'

, ,

delivered by t h e Preside n t of Rhode Islan d Colle g e on ,

t h e deat h of t h e lat e Presid e n t O n e of t h e first p r i n ci

.

p les on w hich t his Colle g e is foun de d i s t h at t h e Pr e s i , ,

d e n t f or e ver sh all be a Bapt ist

, ,
This Preside n t w a s .

brou g h t u p in t h is Colle g e is a m e mber O f t h e Bapt ist

,

Church w a s ordain ed t h e min ist e r t h ereof is a v e ry

, ,

ext raordin ary m an is m uch famed for his piet y an d

,

le arn in g B u t for so m e t i m e past t h ey have susp ect ed

.

h im . T h ey h ave t hough t hi m t ain t ed w it h h e re sy ; a n d

on t h e delivery of t his serm o n t h e fears O f his clerical ,

bre t h re n an d t h e m e mbers of h i s church coul d be sup

, ,

pressed n o lon g er T h ey t ook for gran t ed t hat he be

.

l i e v e d w i t h h i s h e art t h e p art O f his s e rm on I have

m arked ; an d on his n ot de n yi n g t h e charg e t h ey could
, ,

n ot a g ai n h e ar h i m w i t h co m for t He is n o m ore t heir .

m i n i st er " The Trust e es [of t h e Colle g e ] ho w ever can , ,

n ot t h i n k of part i n
g w i t h h i m a n d w ish m uch t o kee p
,

h i m i n his p r ese n t charact er eve n t hou g h he should ,

believe i n his heart t h e rest it u t io n O f all t h in g s I t is

, , .

t rue t h e y ow n it is a very dan g erous e r r or t o belie v e

,

t h at eve ry part of hum an n at ure shall be fi n ally saved

fro m sin an d sorrow t h e sad con seque n ce t hereof B u t
, , .

t h e n as he is really a very pious m an an d a very l e arn e d

, ,

m an t hey pray he m ay con t in ue

,
B u t his con st it ut io n
.
,

b e in g very in fir m he t h in ks it w ill be much t o his a dv an

,

t ag e t o t ravel a n d has t herefore prayed t he m t o fur n ish

, , ,

t he m selves w it h a Preside n t before t h e expirat ion Of t h e

year You w ill g ive m e your O pi n io n of t h e serm o n
. .

The re are so m e part s of it I do n ot m uch approve ” .

The ser m on w as from t h e t ext , Th e l ast en emy

w hich sha ll b e des t royed i s dea t h . 1 Cor xv
. . 26 .
35 6 UNI VERSALI SM IN A M ERI CA .

Aft er con siderin g t h e res pect s in w h ich deat h appears

t o b e our e n emy t h e preacher added ,

“
An d y e t , form idable as he is co m plet e as his vi ct ory ,

appears, w e have t h e joyful sole m n n e w s t o declare , ,

‘
t h is e n e my shall be d est roye d The t ext st yl es h im .
’

t h e last e n e my Ye t w e sh all O bt ain t h e vict ory The

. .

devil w as m an s first en em y a n d deat h is his last Bot h

’
,
.

s h all be d est roy e d C h rist hat h abolishe d deat h ; he

-
.
‘ ’

w as m an i fes t i n t h e fl esh t hat t h rou g h de at h he m i g h t

,

dest roy h i m w ho had t h e po w er of deat h t hat i s t h e , ,

devil . Chri st has s t ruck t h e blow w hich w ill co mplet e

’

”
h
t e vic t ory i n t h e
, des t r uct io n of dea t h Then in c on .
,

s i de r i n g H ow shall deat h be dest royed t h e preacher

said : “ I t is fully eviden t t hat as t o rest orat ion from ,

deat h all m e n g ain in Ch rist w h at t hey lost in Adam

, ,

because t h e argu me n t at io n in t h e verses precedin g ou r ,

t ex t evin ces t hat Christ abolis h e d t h at deat h w hich

,
”
Adam in curred .

F in ally th e co n se que n ces of

,
the dest ruct i o n o f deat h
w ere t h u s descr ib ed

The mal ice of S at an w ill revert upon his ow n he ad ;

his fraudule n t desig n s ag ain st man s happ in ess w ill ’

t erm in at e i n t h e g lory of God The old serpen t su b .

,

t il e e n vious reve n g e f u l — t h ou g ht t o disho n or God s

’
, , ,

g overn me n t , i n s educin g m an t o re bellio n an d in S ubject ,

i n g h i m t o mort alit y B u t i mm ediat ely ‘t h e seed w as ’

.

’
h
revealed t hat S hould bruise t e s e rpe n t s head ; t hat
,

should coun t eract a n d frust rat e all h i s evi l m ach in at io n s .

‘
For t h i s purpose t h e S on of God w as man ifes t ed t hat
, ,

he m ig ht dest roy t h e w orks of t h e devil ’ 1 John iii 8 .

, . .

Christ as su med ou r n at ure t h at t hroug h deat h h e mi g ht,

‘

dest roy h im t hat h a d t h e pow er of deat h , t hat is t h e ,

devil ’ Heb ii 1 4 S at an un dou bt e dl y su pposed he had

. . . .

defeat ed t h e g raci ous desig n s of Heaven for m an s r e ’

 J ONAT HAN M A CY
X . 35 7

de mpt io n by eff ect in g t h e crucifixio n of Christ B u t

, .

even in his last effort his malicious sche mes t urn ed t o ,

his ow n dest ruct io n Chris t s de at h dest royed deat h I t

.
’
.

g av e S ata n his m ort al w ou n d I t be g an t o di g t hat min e .

w hich is rapidly adva n ci n g u n der his kin g do m a n d w hich ,

w il l fi n al ly e n g ulf i t i n rui n .

An ot her i m port an t co n s e que n ce of t h e des t ruct io n

of t h e last e n e m y is t h e rest orat ion of t h e dead t o i m
,

m or t alit y
. A fl ood of glory burs t s fro m t h e s u n of
ri gh t eous n ess shin e s t h roug h t h e w ast e s of deat h an d
, ,

discove rs ma n rest ore d fro m ruin rej oicin g in lif e a n d , ,

dresse d i n t h e robe s of im m ort alit y Rejoice 0 m an "

p
.
,

Vict ory is t hin e t h rou g h t h e dyi n g S aviour L ock for

, .

w ard " vie w t h y fu t ure self ; h ow c h an g e d fro m t his

i mp erfect st at e beyon d t h e reach of d e at h " Rejoice i n

,

t h at p erio d w he n t h e voice of G od shall sou n d t hroug h

”
t e u n iverse an d s e t t h e priso n er free
h ,
.

These express i o n s j ust ified t h e suspi ci on a n d in fer

e n ce t hat M r M axcy b e li eved i n Un iversa l S alva t ion
,
. .

Wh at ever he m ay have said t o his frien ds in reply t o

t his in fere n ce w e do n ot k n o w ; bu t in 1 7 96 he pu b
, , ,

l is h e d a n e w edi t i o n of t h e ser m on w it h a preface in , ,

w h i ch he demurs ag ai n s t t h e co n s t ruct i o n w h i ch had

b een pu t upon t hese w ords He exp lain s t hat in h i s .

,

vie w t h e deat h t hrea t en ed t o Adam w as n at ural deat h

,

o n ly ; an d pro t est s t h at
N o t hi n g in t h e follo w in g discourse is so in con sis t en t
w it h ort hodox divi n it y as so m e have suppos e d I m ay .

be in error If I be possibly I m ay n ot be dest it ut e of

.
,

co m pan io n s eve n fro m a mon g t hose w h o det e rm in e n ever

,
”
t o deviat e fro m opin ion s t he y have o n ce adopt ed .

In a foot n o t e u n der t h e express i o n

-
,
“
t hatChri s t
ab ol ished t hat dea t h w h i ch Adam in curred , he says
35 8 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Cor xv 22 : As i n Ad am all die eve n so in Chris t

1 . .
,

shall all be m ade alive These w ords make it evide n t

.
’

t hat t hose m ade alive by Chris t are as n um e r ous as t hose

subj ect e d t o de at h by Adam L an g u ag e can n o t e xpress .

t his ide a w it h m ore cer t ai n t y

. Those t herefore w h o .
, ,

believe t h at t h e deat h in t roduce d by A dam w as t e m po

r al spiri t ual
,
a n d e t er n al
,
if t hey w ould be co n sist en t, ,

ou g ht t o believe i n un iversal salvat io n For Christ h as .

a bolished fro m all t h e deat h produced by A dam,

N ot e .

t h e part icularit y of t h is expressio n even so i n Christ ,

‘

shall all be made alive .

’

H i s in depe n de n ce an d ca t ho li c ity ho w eve r w ere in , ,

marked co n t ras t w it h t h e sp irit man ifest ed by h is

co n t emporaries as w itn ess t h is decl arat ion in t h e
,

pre face
“
The o n ly t hin g really essen t ial t o Chris t ian un io n is
l ove, or b e n evole n t affect io n I t is t herefore w it h me a .
,

fi xed prin ciple t o cen sure n o m an except for i m m oralit y ,

.

A d iversit y of reli g ious opi n ion s i n a st at e so i m perfect , ,

obscure a n d sin ful as t h e prese n t is t o be expect ed An

, ,
.

e n t ire coi n cide n ce i n se n t im e n t eve n i n i m por t an t doc ,

t rin es is by n o m ean s essen t ial t o Christ ia n socie t y or

, ,

t h e a tt ai n m e n t of e t ern a l felicit y H ow m an y are t here .

w h o ap pear t o h a v e bee n subject s of re g e n erat io n w h o. ,

have scarce ly an e n t ire co mprehen sive vie w of on e doc

,

t ri n e i n t h e Bible Will t h e g at es of Paradise be barred

ag ain st t hese because t hey did n ot possess t h e pe n e
,

t r at in g sa g acit y of an E dw ards or a Hopki n s Or shall

t hese g re at t heolo g ical champio n s e n g ross heave n an d ,

shout hallelujah s fr o m it s w alls w hile a Priest ley a , ,

Price an d a Win chest er merely for diff ere n ce i n opin

,

i on t hou g h pre e m in e n t i n virt u e — m us t sin k i n t o t h e

,
-

re g ion s of darkn ess an d pain

S omet i me durin g th e year 1 7 91 M r . M urray pu b
 M R M URRAY S T HEOLOGY
'

35 9
'

. .

l ishe d a pamph l et b earin g t h e foll o w i n g t it l e : “ Some

H in t s relat ive t o t h e Form in g of a Christ ia n Church ,

t o t h e R ig h t U n ders t an din g of t h e S cr ipt ures as th e

on ly Ru l e g i ven b y t h e G rea t Head of t h e Ch u rch for

t h e D irec ti o n t hereof ; t o t h e Rect ify in g of a f e w M is

t akes respect in g some Doct r in es propag at ed u n der t h e

Chri s t ian N ame Con c l udin g w it h t h e Charact er o f a

.

Con s ist e n t Un i versa lis t ; i n a Lett er t o a Fri en d A .

f e w pages are g ive n t o a descrip ti on of t h e b e li ever s ’

d u t ies as cit izen s a n d as Chris t ian s t hen a f e w t o a de ,

t ail ed p l an o f t he man n er in w h i ch eve n w it hou t t h e ,

a i d o f a preacher t hey can carry on reg ular re ligious

,

servi ces an d t hen occurs t h e fol lo w i n g s t at emen t o f hi s

i dea o f w ha t t h e S crip t ures t each
The S cript ures g ive an accou n t of a ju st God w h o i n ,

t h e l aw w hich he g ave by M os e s de n ou n ces deat h an d ,

t h e curse of t h e l aw upo n every on e w h o con t in ue t h n ot

i n all t hin g s w ritt e n i n t h e book of t h e l aw t o do t he m
bu t in t h e sam e S cript u r e s w e have an accou n t of t h e
same God man ifest ed in t h e fl esh as t h e he ad of every
, ,

man m ade un der t h e l aw t o redee m t hem t hat w ere

,

u n der t h e l aw bei n g m ade a c u rse for t he m ; an d t his

,

revelat ion is t hat g ospel w hich is g lad t idin g s t o every

child of Adam because every child of Adam bein g o n ce
,

u n der t h e l a w an d a t ran sg ressor of t h e l a w w as con se

, ,

que n t ly un der t h e sen t en ce of d eat h an d subject ed t o t h e ,

curse Jesus havin g redeem ed t h e h um an sin n er by t ast

.
,

i n g deat h for every m an bein g t h e S aviour n ot of a f e w

,

in dividuals on ly bu t of all m e n t h e g ospel w hich is a

, , ,

divi n e declarat ion of t his t rut h is i n deed g lad t idi n g s

, , ,

t o eve ry falle n sin n er Whe n w e read i n t h e S cri pt ure s

.

of w rat h t ribulat io n deat h e t c w e kn o w t hat God

, , ,
.
,

speaket h i n his le g islat ive charact er as he w as man ifest ed ,

by M oses, as t h e just God w h o w ill by n o m e an s clear

,
36 0 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

the g uilt y ; read of g race, m ercy an d

bu t w he n we ,

p e a ce of life as t h e g i ft of God of sal vat ion b e g an or

, ,

com plet ed w e kn ow t hat t h e same God speaket h i n t h e

,

l an g uag e of Z i on in t h e charact er of t h e just God an d

,

t h e S av iour The on e is t h e lan g uag e of t h e l aw t h e

. ,

ot her is t h e lan g uag e of t h e g os pel What ever i n a n y .

part O f t h e S cript ure m an ifest s s i n an d t h e pun ishm en t ,

du e t o si n , is t h e l aw ; w hat ever exhi b it s Jesus as bear

i n g t h e s i n of t h e w orl d a n d sufferi n g t h e pu n i sh m e n t s
,

due t h ereun t o, so m aki n g peace by t h e blood of t h e

cross is g ospel Wherev e r I fin d t h e S cript ures speak
,
.

i n g of a recon ci l e d God w ell pleased for his (J e s u s )

’
,

sake I fin d t h e g ospel, t h e believin g of w hi ch g ospel is

,

acco mpan ied by a salvat i on fro m all t h e misery t o w hi ch

w e are exposed w h il e w e believe t h e l a w o n l y a n d n ot

t h e g ospe l
'

“ The
Script ures speak O f a jud gme n t p a s t a n d a
judg m en t ye t t o come The pas t jud g men t i s first
.
, ,

w here t h e w orld w as jud g e d i n t h e seco n d Ada m a o ,

cordin g t o t h e t es t imo n y of t h e Saviour, N ow is t h e ‘

j u dg me n t of t his w orld ; n ow is t h e pri n ce of t his w orld

cas t ou t , an d deat h execut ed upon t h e m, accordin g t o t h e
’

r i g ht eous j ud g me n t of God S econ dly, eve ry on e t aug ht .

of God jud g es him self an d th erefore he shall n ot be ,

judg ed Jud ge you rsel ves an d ye shal l n ot be judg ed

. .

T h e j u d gme n t to come is t h at last great day w hen al l ,

w h o have n ot jud g ed t h e m selves al l u n believers of t h e ,

hum an race a n d all t h e falle n an g els t hroug h w hose i n

, ,

fl u e n ce u n belie vers are held i n a s t at e of darkn ess a n d

bli n dn ess an d w h o as t h e deceivers of manki n d are r e
, , ,

served in c hai n s of darkn ess u n t o t h e j ud g m en t of t h e

g reat day ; t hese shall t h e n all be j ud g ed by t h e S A V I O U R .

of t h e WO R LD B u t t h e an g elic an d t h e hum an sin n ers

.

sh all t he n be separat ed t h e on e shall b e placed on t h e ,

ri g ht t h e o t her on t h e left h an d ; t h e on e addressed as

,

t h e sheep, for w hose salvat io n t h e Redee m er lai d do w n

 M R M u RRAY s T HEOLOGY
’
. . 361

his life ; t h e ot he r as t h e accursed w hose n at ure he ,

passed by The hum an n at u re as t h e offsprin g of t h e

.
,

everlast in g Fat her an d t h e ran so med of t he Lord shall

,

by divin e p o w er h e brou g ht in t o t h e kin g do m prepared

for t he m before t h e foun d at ion of t h e w orld ; t h e an g elic
n a t ure w ill be se n t i n t o t h e fire prep ared for t h e dev il

a n d his an g els .

The S cript ures lead us by various a n d st riki n g fig ,

ures t o t h e con t e mplat ion of t h e Prin ce of Peace, an d t o

,

hi s con t ras t t h e prin ce of t h e pow er of t h e air

, S o me .

t i mes t hese fi g ures are t ake n fro m m e n so m et i mes fro m ,

t hi n g s ; eve ry t hi n g g oo d is expressive of Christ an d his

salvat io n ; every t hi n g ba d of t h e adversary an d hi s de , '

st ruct io n The Pri n ce O f Pe ace cam e t o save huma n

.

n at ure fro m t h e po w e r a n d do m i n io n of t h e devil an d h i s

w orks ; he cam e t o des t roy t h e l a t t e r t h at he mi g ht save

t h e f or m e r He w a s m an ife st e d t o dest roy t h e w orks of
.

t h e devil a n d he s hall save h i s people f ro m t heir si n s

,
.

Th is I n deed he hat h d o n e w h e n he p u t aw ay sin by t h e

, ,
.

sacrifice of hi mself a n d t his he w ill do w he n he shall

,

g ive his holy an g els charg e t o collec t ev e ry seed so w n by

th e e n e my i n t h e h u m an n at ure ; t hat as t ares as evil ,

seed so w n by t h e E vil On e t h ey m ay be sep ar at e d fro m ,

t h e g ood seed w hich w he n i t w as so w n by t h e S on of

, ,

M an by w ho m all t hi n g s w ere m ad e w as pro n ou n ced

, ,

very g ood, an d w il l ag ain be a s g ood w he n t h e evil t ha t

cam e from t h e E vil O n e is separat ed fro m it The S on .

of M an ag reeably t o t h e records of t rut h shall t ake ou t

, ,

of his kin g do m — w hic h ki n g dom w ill be co m posed of

,

all n at ion s an d kin dreds an d peo ple an d t on gu es for

, , , ,

t h e ki n g do m s of t h is w orld shal l beco m e t h e ki n g dom of

God an d of his Chris t — ou t of his kin g do m I say , t h e
, ,

Son of M an w ill t ake ou t every t hin g t hat o ffe n ds an d ,

th os e w h o do i n iquit y .

g ca n g ive offe n ce bu t si n an d s in is
“ There is n o t hi n
,

t h e w ork of t h e devil O f t hat spiri t w h ic h n ow w ork

,
-
36 2 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

e th in t h e heart s of t h e childre n of diso b edie n ce ; as ,

t h e n t his evil spir it is t h e w orker or doer of w h at ev e r

, , ,

g ives O ffe n ce Jes u s as t h e S aviour of t h e w orld s h all i n

, , ,

t h e fu l n ess of t i m e separat e fro m his ki n g dom bot h t h e

evil w or ke r an d his evi l w orks ; t h e e vi l w orkers i n t h e
ch ara ct ers of g oat s t h e e vil w orks i n t h e charact er of t ares
,
.

Wh e n t h e so w er of t h e evi l seed, an d all t he evil seed

so w n shall be separat ed fro m t h e seed w hich God so w ed
, ,

t h e n t h e see d w hich is properly t h e seed of God w ill be

like H i m w h o so w ed it, h oly a n d pure , as God is holy
a n d pure w hen t h e vei l shal l be t ake n aw ay an d t h e face ,

of t h e coveri n g fro m all peo ple, every eye shall t he n s e e

t h e S aviour as he i s an d t hey w h o see him as he is s h all

,

be like h i m ; for t h e Redee m er is able t o cha n g e eve n

t hese vi le bodies t hat t hey m ay b e fashion ed like un t o
,

his ow n g lorious b ody, ac cordin g t o t h e mi g ht y w orki n g

w hereby he i s a ble t o subd u e a l l t h i n g s u n t o hi m self .

Thus st an ds t h e g ospel of t h e g race of God, as re vealed

in t h e S crip t ures I t mus t he co n fessed t here are in t h e
.
,

Bible m an y t hin g s w hich m ay appear dark t o us our ,

w eakn ess i s eve n i n fan t ile a n d t h e prej udices of educ a

,

t ion t yran n ize over t h e m in d t h e pow er of t h e advers ary

is g reat an d t h e purpose of God reserves t h e co m plet e
,

m an ifest a t ion of hi m self t o fut ur it y Ou r S aviour

.

t eac h es us t o l ook for w ard t o a brig ht er day w he n w e ,

shall at t ai n a perfect io n of kn o w l edg e, kn o w in g as w e

ar e k n o w n .Here w e k n o w bu t i n par t, bu t bl e sse d be
our divi n ely g racious Teacher w h o i n mercy hat h m ade
,

us acquain t e d w it h t h e p urpose purposed on t h e w hole

eart h w h o hat h assured us it is t h e w ill of God t hat al l
,

m e n s h ould be saved an d com e t o t h e k n o w ledg e of t h e

t rut h w hil e reaso n as w ell as revelat io n t eaches us t hat
,

a Bei n g w h o i s almi g ht y w ill do a l l h is p l eas u r e an d ful ,

fil all his w ill I w ish t herefore, t hat as n e w born babes

.
,
“
-

you m ay desire t h e si n cere m ilk of t h e w ord t hat y ou ,

”
may g ro w t hereby .
 ORDI NANC ES .
3 63

Foll o w in g t h i s he has a f e w w ords respect in g ordi

,

n a n ces in w hich he t akes as t o b ap t i s m subs t an t ially

, , ,

t h e g rou n d adva n ced in t h e sui t ag a i n s t t h e Firs t Par

i sh in Gl oucest er an d is ca t holi c in h is feel in g s t o w ards
,

t hose w h o may ho l d q uit e d i verse v i e w s i n reg ard t o

t h e L ord s S upper
’

The U n ive rsalist s as Christ ian s adm it of bu t on e

, ,

bapt i s m — t h e bapt izer C h ris t Je sus an d t h e el e m e n t s

, , ,

m ad e use of t h e Holy Ghost a n d fire , Ye t t hey b e lieve .

t hat Joh n by divi n e dir ect io n bapt ized w it h w at er ; bu t

, ,

even t h is t h oug h es t ablished by d ivin e au t horit y t h ey

, ,

co n si der i n t h e s am e poin t of vie w i n w hich t hey are

direct ed t o co n sider a varie t y of o t her ordi n an c e s t hat
w ere e s t ablished by t h e sam e aut hori t y ; i n t hat d i s p e n

sat io n t hey con sider i t m ere ly a s a fig ure Wat er is a .

pur ifyi n g ele m en t bu t i t can o n ly re m ove ext ern al filt h

,

i t ho w ever g oes as f a r as a fi g ure c a n g o a n d very p r o p

, , ,

erly p receded t hat on e bapt is m of our divi n e M ast er

w hich sh ould e fi e c t u al l y clean se fro m all fil t hi n e s s of

fl e sh a n d spirit Hen ce he w h o bapt ized w it h w at er

.
,

said He t h at co m e t h aft er m e is m i ght ie r t han I ; I

,
‘
,

i n dee d bap t ize you w it h w at er u n t o repe n t an ce bu t he

, ,

sh all bapt ize you w it h t h e Holy Ghost an d w it h fir e .

’

“
We co n sider t h e ordin an ce co mm o n ly call e d t h e
L ord s S upper as a very expressive e m ble m of t h e salva
’

t i on of t h e h um an fa mily i n C h rist Jesus We are h ow .

,

eve r in fo r me d t hat this e m ble m m ay be use d w ort h i l y

,

or u n w ort h i l y a n d he t hat eat e t h an d dri n ke t h a n w or

t hi l y eat e t h a n d drin ke t h d a m n at io n or co n de m n a t io n
, , ,

t o hi m se l f ; a n d w e are furt h er m ore t a u g h t t h at t h e

w ort h y receiver i n re cei vi n g discern s t h e L O R D s bo dy
’
, , ,

a n d t h a t t h e u n w or t hy r ec e iver does n ot disce rn t h e

L on n s body
’
.

Ye t al t houg h t h e peop le called Un iversalist s asso

, ,

c iat i n g as C h ris t ian s i n church fello w ship g e n erally ,

364 U NI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

adopt as t h e ir m ost reaso n able service t his divi n e ly ex

pre ssive ordin an ce y e t t hey do n ot hold t h e m s e lves i n
,

subject io n t h ere t o t hey are subjec t t o n o s h a dow s ; a n d

,

w h ile t hey hold t h is ordi n an ce in t h e hi g hest e s t i m at io n

as a n ordi n an ce y e t t h ey t hi n k t he exercise of charit y

,

m uch g r e at er a n d are t herefore de t er m i n ed t hat d ifi e r

,

e n ce of m i n d or m an n ers res p ect i n g t h e use of t h is or

a n y o t her ordi n an ce s h all n eve r i n t errup t t h e g e n t le fl ow

of t heir Christ ian affect ion t o w ard each ot h e r O n t h e .

w h ole t h e people called U n iversalis t s de t e rm i n e w i t h

,

t h e A post le t o kn ow n o t h i n g ei t her as a w h ol e or a p a r t
, , ,

direct ly or i n direct ly esse n t ial t o t heir salvat io n bu t ,

Jesus Christ an d h i m crucified ” .

The fact or ru m or of it t ha t man y an d co n fl i ct in g

t heori es are hel d a n d c a ll ed U n iversal ism g ives h im
, ,

g rea t un easin ess a n d he t hus expresses h i mse lf

,

I hear fro m m an y t hat t h e doct rin e of God our

S aviou r prevailet h m uch t hrou g hout t h e U n io n ; bu t
fro m so m e examples w hich have co me un der my O b
servat io n I am apprehe n sive t hat he w h o w as a liar
,

from t h e beg i n n i n g has been pract isi n g upo n t h e m i n ds

of t h e credulous ; t hat un de r t h e n am e of t h e Christ ian
,

doct rin e s he h as imposed h e resies as far fr o m t h e t est i

,

m o n y O f t h e everlast i n g g ospel as t his arch deceiver -

ca n possibly fabricat e There ma y be as m uch an t i

.

S crip t ural irrat io n al in co n sist e n t st uff propag at ed un der

, ,
-

t h e n am e of t h e U n iversal or as so m e choose t o t e rm
, ,

i t M ur r ay s doc t ri n e as t here can be un der an y ot her

,
’
,

n am e I have so m et im es i m a g in ed t hat a fe w dre am e r s

'

h av e t ake n t h eir ideas fr om our e n e m ies a n d believi n g ,

w e defe n ded t hose det est able doct ri n es w i t h w hich our

calu mn iat ors re p roac h us t hey un dert ake t o support

,

t h e m t hou g h i n t h us doi n g t hey do as m uc h viole n ce

, , ,

t o divi n e revelat io n as an y of t h e advocat es for a part ial

salvat io n .
 CONFLI CT I N G T HE ORI ES .
3 65

The a dversary bein g co n vin ced t h at he can n ot hurt

t h e caus e of t rut h by h i s ow n disciples w h o a r e our ,

i n vet e rat e foes has t herefore raised u p so m e advocat es

, , ,

for so me t rut hs t hat t h rou g h t heir i n st ru m e n t alit y h e

, , ,

m a y t h e m ore e ff ec t ually i n jure t h e cause of t ru t h an d ,

s t ill re t ai n t h e ran so m ed O f t h e L O RD i n his kin g do m .

“
Perm it m e t o poin t ou t a f e w of t h e errors w h ich are
p reach e d a n d received by so m e i n dividuals w h o c all
, ,

t he m selves U n ive r salist s

Firs t Because our S aviour hat h fi n ished t h e w ork
,

w hi ch w as g ive n h i m t o do for us m e n a n d for ou r salva ,

t ion i t is ass e rt e d t hat w e w h o a re sav e d by t h e L O RD

, ,

w it h an eve r las t i n g salva t io n h ave n o t h in g at all t o do I

,

Thi s is a vile det e st able error ; i t is co n t rary t o reaso n

, ,

as w ell as t o revelat ion In deed w hat ever is O ppos e d t o

.
,

reaso n is eq u ally Op p osed t o revelat io n I t is t r ue w e .

,

have n ot t hat t o do i n order t o save ourselves w hich w as

, ,

do n e by Jesus Christ ; bu t bein g co m plet ely saved i n ,

Jesus Chr ist w e have m uc h t o do

,
Ye are sait h t h e .
‘
,
’

S pirit of t rut h bou g ht w it h a price ; t h e refore g lorify

,
‘
,

God i n your bodies an d spirit s w hich are his L e t t hose ,

'

.
’

w h o have believed be careful t o m ai n t ai n g ood Good .

w h at ? Good w ords ? N O t ruly ; g ood w or ks B u t i n

, .

w hat respec t c a n w orks do n e by us be g oo d C an t hey

be profit able t o God ? N o ; bu t t hey c a n be p l e a s i n g to
God because p r ofi t a b
,
l e u n to m en I n t his vie w t hey are .
,

g ood w or k s ; for as all m e n are dear t o a n d belove d by

, ,

t h e L O R D in doi n g g ood u n t o all accordi n g t o ou r abilit y

, ,

w e m a y be said t o g lorify an d please God B u t i t is said .

by so me : We have n o t hi n g t o hope i n con seque n ce of

‘
,

t h u s doin g ; n or have w e a n y t hi n g t o fear fro m t h e

n e g lect of ack n o w ledg ed dut ies ; t h e doc t rin e of re w ards

a n d pun is h m e n t s is a le g al a n d t h erefore in t his g ospel

, , ,

d ay a j us t ly exploded doc t ri n e ; w e k n ow t ha t Jesus

, ,

bei n g made un der t h e l a w hat h redee med us from t h e

,

cu r se of t h e l a w a n d, t herefore, hat h beco m e t h e e n d of

,
3 66 UN I VERS A LI SM I N AM ERI C A .

’
t h e l aw for rig ht eousn ess t o every on e t h at believet h ,
.

T h at Jesus w as m ade un der t h e l aw for t h e purpose O f , ,

redeem i n g t h e m t hat w ere un der t h e l a w ; t hat h e hat h

acco m plished t h e w ork he came in t o t h e w orld t o do by ,

r e d ee m in g t h e lost n at ure ; t hat he is in deed t h e e n d , ,

of t h e l a w for rig ht eousn ess t o every on e t h at be l i e v

eth ,
—are divi n e t rut h s w h ich w e are n ei t her able n or ,

w illi n g t o o p p ose B u t upon t his t rut h of God t hus

.

m an ifest ed depe n ds an ot her t rut h

,
If Jesus Chr ist hat h .

redeem ed us t h e n w e are n ot our ow n ; w e have on e

,

M ast er w e h ave on e Fat her t h e Redee m er of m e n ; if

, ,

w e obey n ot t his M ast er — if w e w alk n ot accor d i n

g to ,

t h e di r ec t io n of t his Fat her — h e w ill visit our t ran s ,

g r e ss i on s w i t h a rod Thou gh w e are in deed re dee m ed

.
, ,

u n t o God by t h e blood O f Jesus if w e s ow t o t h e fl esh , ,

w e s h a ll of t h e fl esh reap corrupt ion ; for w hat soever a

m an sow e t h t h at shall he also reap
,
Thou g h t h e hu m an .

family do in deed co n st it ut e t h e fuln ess of t h e Saviour s

, ,
’

body t hey are delivered fro m co n dem n at io n on ly w h ile

,

t hey w alk n ot aft er t h e fl es h bu t aft er t h e S p i ri t ; a n d ,

t hou gh t h e fait hful n ess O f t h e just God as t h e S aviour , ,

ca n n e ver fail y e t he shall re w ard every m a n accord i n g

,

t o h i s w orks That w ork of God w hich w as w rou g ht by

.

t h e h ead of every m a n w ill be re w arded by t h e e t ern al ,

salvat io n of all m e n The w ork of t h e m e r e creat ure .

,

bein g accordin g t o t h e n at ure of t h e creat ure shall have ,

it s re w ard If t h erefore t h e ran so me d O f t h e L O R D

.
, , ,

follo w in g t h e direct io n of t heir L O R D a n d M ast er ac t ,

co n sis t e n t w it h t heir charact er shall t hey n ot be r e ,

w a rded A ssure dly t hey shall ; t hey shall be m ost

am ply re w arded ; w e have t h e pro mise Of our blessed
M as t er g uaran t eein g t h e re w ard
, Whoso g ive t h even a .

c u p of cold w at er t o a disciple shall have a disciple s

’

re w ard Whoso g ivet h u n t o t h e p oor len d e t h un t o t h e

.

L O R D ; an d look " w hat he laye t h ou t shall be p aid h i m

,

ag ain . God is n ot u n m in dful of our w orks of fait h ,

 C ON FLI C TI NG T HE ORI ES . 36 7

an d l abors of love Wh at " because w e can n ot purchase

.

hea ve n by our doin g s or dest roy de at h an d hell by ou r ,

labors does i t follo w t hat w e have as d w ellin g i n t h is

, ,

w orld n o t hi n g t o hope an d n ot hi n g t o fear ?

,
Because ,

Jesus di e d for al l are all t herefore t o live u n t o t he m, , ,

selves ? N ay ; bu t he dyin g f or all all w h o live are , ,

t h e refore boun d t o live n ot un t o t he m selve s bu t t o h i m

, , ,

w h o die d for t he m L e t i t i n d e ed be prov e d t h at Jesus

.
, ,

di d n ot di e for t h e m t h at t hey are n ot bou g h t w i t h a

,

price — t h en t hey are st ill t heir ow n ; a n d if t hey be

,

t h e ir ow n t hey m ay s t ill live u n t o t hem se lv e s

,
B ut no .

on e of t h e hum an race hat h a r i g h t t hus t o presu m e t o

live un t o him self in as m uch as Jesus g ave h i ms e lf a ran

,

s om f or all a n d by t h e g race of God t as t e d d e at h for

, , ,

e v e ry m a n A ssure dly m y fri e n d t h e ran so med of t h e

.
, ,

L O R D w ill fin d it as m uch t h eir i n t e rest as it is t he i r

dut y t o glorify God i n t heir bodie s a n d t h e ir spi r it s
, , ,

w hich are his ; t hey w ill fin d it t heir i n t eres t if t hey ,

h ave m uch t o g ive abun dan t ly ; if t hey have lit t le t o

, ,

do t h eir dili g e n ce g ladly t o g ive of t hat litt le ; for t hus

,

doin g t h e y w ill lay u p for t hem selves a g reat re w ard

, .

The re w ard t o w hich t h e m an C h rist Jesus is e n t it le d ,

i n co n seque n ce of t h e w orks he w rou gh t is t h e e t e r n al ,

salvat io n of J e w a n d Gen t ile as his in he r i t an ce S O ,

.

t hat all t h e Fat h er h a d bein g g ive n un t o h i m t h ey m ay , ,

be u l t i m at el y w it h h i m t o behold h i s g lory .

“
S e co n dly I t has bee n affirm ed t h at t h e day of t h e
,

L O R D co mm o n ly c a lled t h e last day or t h e day of ju dg

, ,

m e n t i s pas t
,
O u r S aviour havi n g said
. N ow is t h e ,
‘

judg m en t of t his w orld such w h o are ev e r doin g t h e ,

’

w ork of t h e a dversary i n p rovi n g on e pa r t of R e velat io n ,

false by an ot he r affir m t her e c a n be n o fut ure judg m e n t

,
.

T h ose w h o are t au gh t of God pursue a diffe re n t m et hod ; ,

t h e y s t udy t o poi n t ou t t h e co n sist e n cy of divi n e revel a

t io n i n order t o es t ablish i t s au t horit y
,
The scribe .
.

i n st ruc t e d in t h e ki n g do m of God ri g ht ly divid e s t h e

36 8 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

w ord of t rut h ; he cl early dist i n g ui shes bet w een t h e

judgm en t of all me n i n co n n ect io n w it h t heir he ad
, ,

w here t h e o ff en ded divi n e N at u re w as t h e judg e an d , ,

jud g in g accordin g t o l aw an d et ern al t rut h an d j ust ice

, ,

d id n ot spare , bu t in fl ict e d t h e t h reat e n ed, deserved

deat h on t h e g uilt y w orld so t hat on e dyin g for all
, , , ,

all w ere dead — I say he w h o is t au ght of God can re ad

, ,

ily dis t i n g uish bet w een t his ju dg men t an d t h e jud g m en t

so fr e quen t ly spoken of i n div i n e revelat io n as y e t fut ure .

I n t h e for mer jud g me n t t h e w hole hum an fa mily w ere

,

j udg ed ; bu t t hey w ere g at hered in t o on e The an g elic .

n at ure is also S poke n of i n t his j ud g me n t bu t in t h e ,

sin g ular charact er ; t h e prin ce of t h is w orl d is cast ou t

‘ ’
‘

B u t i n t h e fu t ure judg men t believers i n Jesus Chr ist ,

w h o h ave j ud g ed t hemselves shall n ot be judg ed Jud g e .

yourselves sait h t h e H oly S pirit an d you shall n ot be

, ,

jud g ed ; bu t t h e rest of man kin d w ill be t h e subj e c t s of

t h i s j u d g m e n t w he n our S aviour shall b e reveal ed fro m
heave n i n fl amin g fire t akin g ve n gean ce on t he m w h o
,

k n o w n ot God, an d w h o O bey n ot t h e g ospe l ; an d t hey

s h all t he n b e pun ished w it h everl ast in g des t r u ct io n from ,

t h e presen ce of t h e L O RD a n d t h e g lory of his po w er ;

,

t h e con seque n ce of w hich shall be, t ha t t hey shall t he n

be m ade t o kn o w God an d obey t h e g ospel ; for alt h ou g h
, ,

un t il t his peri od t hey w ill as un bel ievers su ff e r t h e pu n

, ,

i s h m e n t co n seque n t on t h e revelat i o n of t h e everlast i n g

dest ruct io n y e t it is n ot said t hey shall b e everlast in g ly
,

pun ished w it h dest ruct io n Were i t poss ibl e t o fin d a .

culi n ary fire t hat n ever could be ext i n gui shed, bu t w hich
w as i n t h e s t rict est se n se of t h e w ord , everlas t i n g or
, ,

et ern al should an y m em ber of your b ody pas s t hroug h

, .

t hat burn in g fl ame t houg h bu t a m om e n t of t i me had

,

bee n S pe n t in t hus passin g t hrou g h y e t eve n i n t h at , ,

m om en t it w ould suffer t h e pain of e t ern a l fire

,
Those .

w h o build on t h e fou n dat io n laid i n Zio n , — w ood hay , ,

st ubble, —t he i r w orks shall be burn ed i n t his fire a n d ,

 C ONFLI C I I NG T HEO RI ES 369
’ ‘
.

t hey , co n sequen t t he reo n shall su ff e r loss ; bu t t hey ,

t h e m selv e s s h all be saved t hou g h i t w ere as by fire , .

Were t h ey t h e m selves t o be los t bei n g God s w ork m an ,

’

shi p t he n G od w ould also suff er loss ; bu t t hey ba d as

, ,

t h ey w e re i g n oran t as t hey w ere of God disobedie n t as

, ,

t h e y w ere i n n ot obeyi n g t h e g ospel (a n d surely t hey

must be very i gn or an t of God an d ve ry disobedie n t t o ,

t h e g ospel t o build w i t h such perishable m at e rials)

, ,

y e t t h ey t h e m selve s shall be saved as i t w e re by t h at

, , , ,

fire in w hich t h e L O RD Jesus shall be revealed w h e n he ,

co m es t o t ake ve n g ean ce on such ch aract ers .

“
Yes t h e books shall be O p en ed an d t h e dead bot h
, , ,

s m all an d g re at shall be judg ed ou t of t h e t h i n g s w rit

,

t e n i n t h e books E very m ou t h shall be st opp e d a n d all

.
,

t h e w orld beco m e g uilt y before G od ; an d w hile c on

scio u s of g uilt bu t i g n oran t of a S aviour a n d t hat t h e
, ,

S aviour is t h e o n ly w ise God w h o is j u s t e ve n a s a , ,

S a vi ou r t hey shall call upon t h e rock s a n d m oun t ain s

,

t o fall upo n t he m t hat t he y m ay be n e at h t h e covert

, ,

of t h e falli n g m oun t ai n s be hidden fro m t h e w rat h of ,

t h e L am b B u t i n t his judg m e n t t h e Ju dg e is t h e S a
.
, ,

v iou r . H e re all jud g me n t is co mm it t ed u n t o J e sus be ,

c ause he is t h e S on of M a n t h e S on of t h e offe n di n g , ,

sn fl e r in g affri g ht ed n at ure I n t hat fut ure day upo n

,
.
,

w hich God hat h ap poi n t ed t h e jud g m e n t i t is t h e Pri n ce ,

a n d t h e S aviour w h o is appoi n t ed t o judg e t h e w orl d i n

ri g ht eousn ess eve n t hat M an w h o m t h e divin e N at ure

,

ordai n ed Here in st ead of head an d me mbers bei n g

.
,

judg ed t o g et h e r by t h e head of Christ t h e divin e N a ,

t ure t h e m e m be rs are co n sid e red in t hei r dist in ct

, ,
.

charact ers as g ood an d evil or be liever an d u n b e lie ve r

, , ,

— as childre n of l i g h t or childre n of dark n ess ,

an d ,

jud g ed by t hei r ow n head for t h e head of every m an is ,

C h ris t .

“
A g ai n t h e busin ess of t his judg m e n t m ay be con sid
,

ered in so m e sort di fferen t fro m t h e form er T h a t w as .

VOL . I . 24
37 0 U NI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A
‘

to suffer t h e w ag es of s in ; t h i s aft er su fferi n g t h e con

,

seque n ce of un belief w hich is t h e t orm e n t of fear t o

, ,

st op eve ry m out h t ha t t h e L O R D alo n e m ay b e exalt ed

, ,

an d t o b rin g every on e i n t o a s t at e O f w illin g obedie n ce

un to t h e g ospel I n t h e form e r judg m e n t sin w as pu t

.

a w ay from t h e lost n at u r e by t h e deat h or s acri fice of

t h e S aviour as t h e secon d A da m ; so t hat God may b ehold
,

t h e on ce l ost an d pollut ed n at ure as saved an d pure in

H im . The last judg m en t is t o bri n g each m ember in t o
t h e same st at e in t he m selves On ce m ore, as i n t h e
.

f or mer j ud gm en t , t h e prin ce of t hi s w orl d w h o i s al so ,

cal led t h e God of t his w orld w a s cast ou t in t h e last jud g

, ,

men t t h e w hole of t h e an g elic n at u re w h o fe ll from t heir

first habit at i o n an d w h o are reserved in chai n s of darkn ess
,

un t o t h e jud gme n t of t his g reat day w il l , in t h e ch ar ,

act er of goat s p laced on t h e left han d of t h e Shepherd of

t h e sheep b e j u dged an d se n t as accursed in t o t h e fire
, , , ,

prepared for t he m The n shall t hat w icked be reveal ed

.

w hom t h e L O R D shall co n su m e w it h t h e bre at h of his

mout h a n d dest roy by t h e bright n ess of his comin g
,
.

Thirdly so m e perso n s very seriously suppose t hat all

,

man ki n d w ill b e on a level i n t h e art icle of deat h They .

co n ce i ve it ca n n o t be ot herw ise seein g t hat Jesus hat h ,

abolished deat h ; an d t hey believe t hat in t h e d i ssolut io n

of t h e b ody t h e dust ret urn s t o t h e dust an d t h e S pirit ,

t o God w h o g ave it B u t if Jesus hav in g aboli shed

.
,

deat h w as suffi cien t t o pu t al l upon a l evel in deat h it

, ,

w as suffi c i en t t o pu t all on a level i n life also ; b u t w ha t

is t rue in Chri st is on e t h in g an d w hat is bel ieved t rue

, ,

an ot her Pe ac e an d recon ciliat ion w it h God is t h e con

.

sequen ce of w hat is t r ue i n Christ Jesu s Peace of con .

scien ce an d joy in t h e Holy Ghost is t h e con sequen ce of ,

w hat i s t rue, as b eli e ved i n ou r heart s N ei t h e r i n life .

n or i n d e at h I n t h e body n or ou t O f t h e b ody can an

, y of '
,

t h e ran some d of t h e L O R D be s ave d fro m misery un t il

t hey are m ade acquai n t ed w it h God as t heir S aviou r ;
 C ONFLI CT IN G T HEO RI ES . 37 1

an d alt hou g h in deat h t h e spiri t does n ot de s ce n d w it h

t h e bo dy i n t o t h e d us t a n d m u st be u n der t h e eye of t h e
,

Fat her of spirit s ; y e t w here Christ is t hat is in ful , ,

'

n ess of joy t hey n ev e r c an be t ill t hey have

, p eace an d
joy i n believin g He w h o dies i n un belief lies do w n i n
.

so rro w a n d w ill rise t o t h e r e surrect ion of dam n at io n

, ,

or m ore properly con de m n at io n Blessed are t h e p eo pl e

, ,
.

w h o k n o w t h e joyful sou n d ; i t is t h ey a n d t hey o n ly , ,

t hat w alk i n t h e li g ht of Go d s cou n t e n an ce If t h is w a s ’

.

n ot t h e case w h e re w oul d be t h e n ecessit y of preach i n

, g
t h e g osp e l at all ? If i n t h e art icle of deat h every on e
, ,

for w ho m Chr ist died w ere m ade acquai n t e d w it h h im ,

a n d co n seque n t ly w i t h t h e t hin g s t h at m ade for t heir

peace Wh y t rouble m an kin d in life about t he se m at t er s

,

Wh y g o fort h as shee p am o n g w olves sufferin g every ,

t hi n g t hat t h e m alice of bli n d z e al c an i n fl ic t i n order t o ,

t urn m e n fro m dark n ess t o li g ht if t h e p e rio d t o w h ic h ,

w e are all has t e n i n g w ill eff ect ually O pe n t h e ey e s O f t h e

“

un ders t an di n g If de at h dest roys all dist in ct ion s w oul d ,

i t n ot be w ell t o say L e t us e at dri n k a n d be me r ry

, , , ,

for t om orro w w e die We are comm an ded t o pre ach

t h e g ospel an d t h is is a su ffi cie n t reason w h y w e shoul d
,

pre ach t h e g os p el Ve ry t r ue bu t w h y are w e com

.
’
,

m a n de d t o preach t h e g ospel Is it n ot t hat fait h m ay

co m e by hearin g an d t hat l ivi n g by fait h on t h e S on of
, ,

God w e m ay fin ish our course w i t h joy

,
B u t if e v e ry
on e of t h e ran so m ed race are t o be equally happy i n

deat h t he n al t hou g h t hey did n ot live by fai t h t hey

, , ,

n eve rt hel e ss fi n ish t h e ir course w i t h joy n or shall an y ,

i n dividual arise t o t h e resurrect ion of co n dem n at ion .

Thi s m ay be c o n solat ory bu t it is n ot S cript ural These ,

.

sect ar ian s aw a re O f t his e r ror support it by an o t her

, , ,

an d t h e r e fore d e n y a f u t ur e ju dg m e n t .

Bl e sse d sait h t h e Holy S p irit are t h e dead w h o

,
’
,
‘ ‘

die in t h e L O R D t hey r e st fro m t heir labors B u t if all .

’

a r e alik e i n deat h i t may be sai d Blessed are t h e dea d ‘

, ,
37 2 UNI VERSALIS M I N AM ERI C A .

w ho i
de in t he i r s i n ,
’
is in u n bel i ef ‘ for t hey res t
t h at , ,

f rom t heir labors ; bu t t his can n ot b e, sin ce i t i s o n ly

’

t h ose w h o believi n g t h e w ord of t h e g ospel pu t on t h e

, ,

L O RD J esus, an d havin g received h i m as t heir rig ht eous

n e s s s an c t i ficat i on , an d rede m p t ion , so w alk i n h i m t h at
, ,

c an b e said t o die i n h i m Th ese , an d t hese on ly have

.
,

p ar t i n t he first resurrect io n on w ho m t h e seco n d deat h ,

c a n h av e n o po w er These i n t h e resurrect io n shall

.
, ,

m ee t t heir Saviour w it h t ran sport ; t h ey shall rise t o t h e

res u rrect io n of salvat io n ; t hey shall come t o Zio n w it h
s o n g s ; t hey s h all rejoice w h i le t h e m an y, w h o are n ever
t h e l e s s re dee med y e t un ac qu ai n t ed w i t h t h e t h in g s
,

w hi ch m ake for t heir pe ace an d w h o rise in t h e secon d ,

resurrec t ion sh al l be filled w it h an g uish I t is fr om

, .

t hese u n h appy despairi n g bein g s t hat t h e L O RD God w ill

,

w ipe a w ay all t ears ; i t is fro m t hese be n i g ht ed bein g s

t hat t he h a nd of divi n e be n i g n it y s hall t ake aw ay t h e
veil Those wh o live an d di e i n fait h shal l have n o t ears
.

t o w ipe aw ay n o veil t o re m ove ,

Tears w eepin g a n d .
, ,

w aili n g w ill con t in ue as lo n g as u n b elief, t h e procuri n g

cause s hal l remain These e vils wi ll be don e aw ay t o
,
.

g et h er n ot i n t h e art icle of deat h bu t i n t h e day O f t h e

, ,

L O RD w he n every eye shall see an d every t on g ue shal l

,

con fess t o t h e g l ory of t h e Fat her .

“
Four t hly, There are m an y w h o because t h e S cript ,

ures are said an d w it h t h e st r ict est proprie t y, t o t est ify

,

of J csus believe t hat t hey t est ify of n o t hin g or n o on e

,

else ; he n ce un der t h e i n fl uen ce Of t his error, t hey apply

,

t o t h e S av i our w hat t h e Holy S pirit applies t o t h e g r an d

ad versary I n defen di n g t hese absur d n o t ion s t hey
.

som et i m es blasphe m e t h e n am e of Jesus, an d ca use t h e

w ay of t rut h t o b e evil spoke n of ; There are i n t his
class of me n so me w h o w ill t ell you t h a t J esu s Ch ri s t
w as t he ma n w h o h ad t h e w eddi n g g a rmen t I
n ot on -
An d
w as con sequen t ly cas t ou t i n t o ut t er darkn ess " Thus, I
p resume w it hout des i g n , t hey make a schi sm in t h e body
 CONFLI C T I N G T HEORI ES .
37 3

of Im man uel t hey separat e t h e B R I D E G R O O M t h e H E A D

, , ,

t h e KI N G fro m his B R I D E his B O D Y his KI N G D OM ;

, , ,

t h ey s e parat e w h at God h at h joi n ed t o g e t h e r alt hou g h ,

on t h e co n t i n uan ce of t h is u n io n depe n ds ou r life ; for if

w e w e re n ot crucified an d buried w it h Chris t as his ful

n ess,
w e shall n ever h ave a ri g ht t o rei g n w it h h i m .

There is so m e t hi n g m ost hor rid in fixi n g a n y charac t e r

u po n C h ris t Jesus w hich i n dicat e s i n h e r e n t pollut io n ;

bu t t h ere are am o n g t h ose exp ou n ders t o w ho m w e

advert w h o are fo n d O f m akin g t he ir h e ar e rs s t ar e an d
,

w o n der at t heir i n g e n ui t y ; alas poor souls t h e subt le , ,

deceiver is abun dan t ly m o r e in g en ious t h an t h e y t h em

selves are bu t t he y a r e n ot sufficie n t ly acquain t ed w it h
,

his devices .

“
The S cript ures t est ify of t h e divin e a n d hum an n at
ures ; of t hose n at u res un it e d in On e ; of me n a n d of
an g els ; of g ood an gels w h o n ever fell ; of an g els w h o
kept n ot t heir first est at e ; of believe rs i n Jesus Christ
w h o g lorify his n am e ; of so m e w h o b e lieve bu t m ake n o ,

open professio n beca u se t h e y love t h e praise of m e n

,

m ore t han t h e p raise of God ; of w icke d m e n w h o have

n ot t h e k n o w le d g e of God i n all t h eir w ays a n d of arro

g an t self ri g ht e ous pharisees w h o t h an k G od t hey are

-
,

n ot like o t her m e n A m on g t h is g reat varie t y t h e m an

.

w h o is u n der t h e i n fl ue n ce of t h e Spirit O f t rut h w ill fin d

Jesus as t h e skilful mi n er fi n ds t h e vein O f g old in t h e
,

m oun t ain .

“
The S cript ures abou n d w it h s t rikin g fi g ur e s cal cu
lat ed t o g ive us an acquain t an ce w it h t h e prin ci p al char
act e r s t herei n an d dreadful w ork w ill
,
he make i n
explai n in g t hese fi g ures w h o hat h n ot t h e spirit of t h e
S aviour The Rede e m e r of me n is exhibit ed un der t h e
.

charact ers Fat her Bro t he r Fri e n d Prophet Pries t K in g

, , , , , , ,

S hepherd Sh ee p L a m b L i g h t L ife a n d Peace Bread

, , , , , , ,

Wi n e an d Wat e r Fruit Bal m a n d Flo w e r s Th e s e an d

, , , , .
,

m an y ot h e r charac t ers an d fig ures by w hich I mm an u e l

374 UN I V ERS ALI SM I N A M ERI CA .

has been pleased t o m ake hi m self m a n ifest all i n dicat e ,

g race m ercy an d peace

, ,
.

The adversary is represe n t ed un der t h e charact er of

a beast of prey seeki n g t o devour a pri n ce of d arkn ess
, , ,

a m urderer a liar a deceive r t h e accuse r of t h e bret hre n

, , , ,

t h e vu lt ure t h e serp e n t t h e g oat ; a n d w he n t h e people

, ,

of G od of old are said t o have w orshipp e d devils t hey ,

w ors h ipped t he m i n t h e form O f g oat s hen ce t h e falle n

an g els in t h e t w e n t y fif t h of M at t he w are re p res e n t ed
-

u n der t h e fi g ure of g oat s w hile t h e hu m an n at ure is rep

,

resen t ed un der t h e fi g ure of sheep Al l w e like she e p .

, ,

have g o n e ast ray U n der t his fi g ure of sheep t here a r e

.
,

a n d w ill be u n t il t h e kin g do m s of t h e w orl d beco m e t h e

,

kin g do m s of God a n d O f his Christ t w o charact ers ,

sheep t hat hearin g t h e voice of t h e Good Shepherd fol

, ,

l ow h im an d are de n o m i n a t e d his s h eep ; a n d o t hers

,

w h o are n ot of t his fold w h o st ill w an der i n t h e w ide

,

w ast e w ildern ess w here t here is n o w ay

,
These ot her .

sheep t h e S hepherd an d Bishop O f souls m ust brin g in ,

t hat t here may be on e fold u n der on e S hepherd t h at of ,

all t h e Fat her g ave h i m n o n e m ay be lost save t h e son ,

of p er di ti on bu t t his s on of perdit io n w as n ever t h e Off

sprin g of God ; G od i s n ot p e r d it ion .

Fift hly There are m an y w h o w illin g t o speak peace

, ,

t o t he m selves w here t here is n o peace affir m t h at it is ,

n ot sin n ers bu t si n
, t hat w ill be brou gh t t o t h e jud g
,

m e n t ; t hat i t is un belief a n d n ot t h e un believer t h at is

, ,

da mn e d ; t hat i t is t h e sin s t hat are pu t on t h e left—han d

i n t h e g reat day t o w ho m t h e Jud ge is supposed t o speak
,

bu t t his is absolut ely ludicrous What is si n , dist i n ct

.

fro m t h e subject O r h ow can s i n i n a n abs t rac t poin t ,

of vie w be t h e subject of rebuke or pun ish m e n t

,
Upo n
t his pri n ciple ou r S aviour su ffered i n vai n ; n o t h i n g m ore
w a s n ecessary t han t o have laid our si n s upo n t h e cross
a n d m ade t h e m suff er deat h ; b u t every refl ec t i n g perso n

m us t see an d feel t h e ab surdit y of such s t uff as t his .

 C ON FLI C I I NG THEORI ES. 37 5
’ ‘

Sin s are n ever spoke n t o t hey are freque n t ly spoken of "

an d t here are so m e very s t rikin g fi g ures by w hich t hey

are re prese n t e d as t h e t ares of t h e fiel d so w n by t h e

, ,

w icked on e Wh ile t h e so w er of t h e seed as an accoun t

.
,

able i n t ellig e n t bein g is t h e prop er subjec t of t h e jud g

, ,

m e n t t h e seed is spoke n of as off e n sive, an d, like ot her

,

w ee ds g ive n t o t h e devouri n g fl a m e
, S om et i mes t h e .

i n iquit ies of our n at ure are S p oken of as ch afl w hich ,

closely cleaves un t o t h e g rain w hile g ro w i n g bu t is fin ally ,

doo med t o t h e co n sum in g fire S om et im es s in is spoke n .

of as fl esh, as dead fl esh as a bo dy of sin an d deat h an d

, ,

i n t his ch a ract er t h e bir ds of t h e ai r are s u mmo n ed t o

t h e supper of t h e g reat God t o e a t t h e fl esh of all m e n , .
‘

Ou r S aviour w h e n expl ai n in g u n t o his disciples t h e par

,

able Of t h e so w er in fo rm ed t h e m t hat t h e bi rds of t h e

,

air w ere t h e w icke d o n es ; t hey are at last called t o feed

on t h e carcas ses of t h e abo m i n able a n d de t est abl e t hi n g s ;

bu t I do n ot recollec t t hat i n an y part of divin e revelat ion

si n is spoke n of i n t h e c h aract er of a n accou n t able b ei n g ;

w e have already see n t hat t here can be b u t t w o charac

t ers t h e proper subjec t s of t h e jud g m e n t — an g els an d ,

me n ; t h e on e on t h e ri g h t t h e o t her on t h e left han d of

,

t h e Jud g e, w h o i s e m phat ic al ly s t yle d t h e Savio u r of t h e

w orld .

“
We have durin g a series O f years be e n cha rg ed w i t h
, ,

propagat in g t h e above absurd an d t ruly r idi cu lou s f a n cies .

Ho w ever I con ceived t his folly w a s foun d o n ly in t h e

,

mon t h s for I could ha rdly t hin k it w as i n t h e heart s of

,

our calumn iat ors t o believe t h at t here w ere an y w h o hel d

such pri n ciples I w as in duced t o t h i n k t hese falsehoods
.

w ere lai d t o our charg e i n order t o p rejudice t h e publ i c

ag ain st us for as I n ever con ceive d of such a doct rin e as
,

eit her S crip tu r a l or r a tion a l m yself so I n ever believed ,

a n y on e else did B u t lat ely I u n derst a n d t hat t h i s

.

se n t i men t h at h it s advocat es an d I have t h e mort ificat ion

,

t o l e arn t hat t h ese advoc at e s ra n k w it h U n iversali s t s "

37 6 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Surely, surely such t eachers are n ot t au g ht by t h e S piri t

,

t hat dict at ed t o t h e me n of God w hat st an ds recorded as

divi n e revelat io n We co n ceive t hat in t h is part icular
. ,

at leas t t hey are y e t t o lear n

,
.

S ixt h ly There is a class of U n iversalis t s m ore

, ,

respect able t han t h e form er w h o in sist t h at alt houg h , ,

all man kin d w ill fi n ally be saved t hey h ave m uch t o ,

perform or t o suffer in order t o s a ti sf y divi n e j u s t ice

, , ,

before t h is eve n t c an t ake place Al l say t hese U n i .

,

ve r sal i st s w h o ha ve n ot a p e rf e ct i on of holin ess i n t he m

,

selves i n t h e pres e n t s t at e
,
all w h o are n ot in t his,
-

dis t e m pered s t at e pure in heart — must before t hey

, , ,

see God i n glory pass t hroug h a purg at orial fire an d

, ,

t here su ffer som e t housan ds of years u n t il t hey have ,

paid t h e ut m ost fart hin g of t h e debt t hey o w ed t h e

just God accordin g as t h e accou n t s t an ds in t h e book
,

of t h e l a w ; bu t w he n t hey have suffered t h e un just ,

for t h e un just t he n t hey S hall co me fort h w i t h pure

,

heart s filled w it h ferven t affect ion t o h i m w h o g ra

,

c i ou sl y co n desce n ded t o l e t t he m pay t heir ow n debt .

These are called Un iversalist s ; an d in deed t hey are , ,

U n i versalist s i n t h e st rict est se n se of t h e w ord for as

, , ,

t hey do n ot co n ceive i t is t h e blood of Jesus w hich

clean set h fro m all sin so t hey i m ag in e t hat t h e same
,

m ode of procedure w hich is adopt ed for t h e s alvat ion

of all m e n w ill equally apply t o falle n an g els a n d t hey
, ,

t he r efore believe i n t h e salvat io n of devils That ou r .

S aviour passed by t h e n at ure of a n g els a n d t ook upo n ,

h im t h e se ed of Abrah am m akes i n t h e vie w of t hese , ,

U n iversalist s n o differen ce ; for as m an ki n d must aft e r

, , ,

all suff er for t hei r ow n si n s devils c an do t h e sam e an d

, , ,

t herefore be save d in t h e sam e w ay What God w ill do .

w it h t h e fal l e n an g els af t er t h ey are se n t i n t o t h e fire

,

prepared for t he m I k n o w n ot : M e n a r e t h e books w e

,
‘

ou gh t t o read ; t h e proper st u dy of m an ki n d is m an .
’

We g o n o fa rt h er in our in quiries t han our ow n

 C ONFLI CTI N G T HEO RI ES . 37 7

n at ure ; so far t hese U n iversalist s acco mpan y us bu t

, ,

leave us here ; a n d w e are bet t e r p l e ased t o fin d t h e m

advocat es for sal v at io n in an y w ay t han if t he y w ere ,

labo r i n g t o prove t h e e t ern al r u in of t h e g re at er part

of God s ofl spr i n g Ye t w e con ceive t h e se se ct ar iaI i s
’

can n o t w it h an y de g ree O f propri e t y be called Un iver

, ,

sa l i st s on apos t olic pri n ciples ; n or d o e s i t appear t hat

t he y have an y idea of b e i n g saved b y or i n t h e L O R D ,

w i t h a n eve rlast i n g or w i t h a n y s alvat io n

,
I t is d iffi .

cult t o kn o w w hat t h e y w ill h av e t o t han k God for at ,

las t t h ey havi n g p a i d t h e i r ow n d ebt a n d sat isfied divin e

, ,

just ice in t h e ir ow n pe rso n s I w o n der n ot t h a t such

.

U n ive rsalist s as t h ese ar e O p p osed an d w it h succ e ss by , ,

t h e part ialist s S uch U n iversalist s have n o t h i n g t o do

.

w it h t h e m i n ist ry of re co n ciliat io n ; t h e doc t ri n e of t h e

at o n e m e n t a n d acce p t an ce i n t h e beloved is ou t of t h e ir ,

pl a n ; such doct rin e s a re co n sidered by t h e m as u n

fri e n dly t o holi n ess ; such U n iversalist s as t h ese are as
f a r fro m t h e doct ri n es of t h e g osp e l on on e si de as t h eir, ,

O ppo n e n t s are on t h e o t her These are pharisaical U n i

.

v e r s al i st s U n iversalis t s w h o are w il lin g t o j u st ify

,

t he m selves ; a n d such U n i versalis m as t his w ill be m uch

m ore accept able t o a n adult erous g e n erat ion t h an t h e
U n iversalis m foun d in t h e m i n ist ry of reco n ciliat io n ;
t o w it , t h a t God w a s i n Ch r is t re con ci l i n g t h e w or l d u n to

hi m s e lf ; n ot i mp u t in g t h e i r t r esp a s s es We u n to them .

a r e ve ry m uc h at loss t o accou n t for t h e suffe r in g of

Christ at all on t h e plan adopt ed by t hese Un iver
,

sal i st s ; be eit her suffered for t h e u n jus t or h e did n ot ;

if he did n ot su ffer for t he u n just he m us t h ave s u ff ered

,

v e ry u nj u stl y i n as mu ch a s h e di d n ot p e r s on a l l y d e se rve
,

s u fi er in g s he i n hi m self bein g holy h ar m less a n d u n de

'

, , ,

fil e d . If he did suffe r for t h e u n jus t h e ei t he r sat isfied ,

divi n e jus t ice or he did n ot ; if h e did n ot t he n his

, ,

res u rrect io n is n ot our just ific at io n n or did he pu t a w ay ,

s i n by t h e sacrifice of hi m s e lf ; t he n he can n o t be t h e
378 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

S aviour of t h e w orld, or of a n y i n dividual i n t he w orld ;

n or c a n God b e j us t if he j u s t ifies t h e u n g o dl y a n d of
, , ,

course w it h respect t o sin n ers as t he ir S aviour, he die d

, ,

i n vain .

If he did sat isfy di vin e j u st ice, an d make recon cilia

t ion for i n i quit y t he n t h is ma n i s our pe ace an d w e
, ,

have t h e at o n e m en t an d G od is w ell ple ased f or his

,

r i g ht eous n ess sak e ; t hen he hat h redee med us fro m

’

t h e curse of t h e l aw an d is just , alt hou g h a S aviour

,
.

The in co n sist e n t plan adopt e d by t h is class of U n iver

s al i s t s is suppor t ed like all o t hers of t h e sam e c om
, ,

plexion by false view s of so m e d i v i n e passag es in t h e

,

book of God When t hey con sidered t h e t ares a n d t h e

.

g oat s as w i cked me n , se n t in t o everlas t in g fir e t o do ,

w h at Jesus Chris t by t h e g race of G od, cam e t o do a n d

, ,

w hi ch by a si n g le w ord h e c a n an d w il l S ho w t he m he
, ,

hat h do n e t hey must of course con t in ue in t his ever

, , ,

las t i n g fire un t il t h e busin ess b e do n e, — un t il co m plet e

sat isfact ion be made .

“
The t ru t h i s Jesus is eve n n ow t h e S aviour of all
,

m e n e sp eci a l ly of t h os e w h o be l i e v e all t hat w as n e c e s

,

sary on God s part , for t h e co mplet e salvat ion of all

,
’

me n w as fi n ished w he n Jesus acco m plished w hat t h e

,

prophet s prophes ie d of him sayin g He shall fin is h , ,

t ran s g ression ; he s h all m ak e an e n d of si n ; he shall

m ake recon cili at i on for in iquit ies, an d sh al l brin g i n
everlast in g ri ght eous n ess N o t hi n g more is n ow n e ce s
.
’

sary t han for God t o say L e t th e re be l ig h t " an d in a

, ,
‘

m o m e n t in t h e t w in klin g of an eye he can cause such

, ,

a chan g e t o p ass on hi s purchased possessio n as shall

m ake t he m l ike u n t o t heir g lorifi e d head Yes by a s in .
,

g l e w ord, he can by t h e m i g h t y pow er w here by he i s able

,

t o subdue al l t hin g s un t o hi m self, chan g e eve n t hese vi le

bodies t hat t hey may be fashion ed like un t o his ow n
,

g lo r ious body Why t h e S aviou r doe s n ot do t his n ow

.
,

I k n o w n ot , an y more t han I k n o w w h y he did n ot

 C ONFLI CTI NG T HEORI ES . 3 79

assume our n at u re a t housan d years soo n er t han he did ;

or w h y he suff e rs a n y t o pass ou t of t his st at e of exist
e n ce u n acquai n t ed w it h h i m as t h eir S aviour livin g all
, ,

t hei r life t i m e i n bon dag e t o t h e f e ar of deat h Al l I .

c an al l I ou g h t t o say is t hat t h e Jud g e of all t h e eart h

, , ,

does rig ht a n d w ill co n t in ue t o do righ t The E L E C T I O N

, .

O bt ai n s i n t h is t he ir day t h e k n o w le d g e of t h e t hi n g s
, ,

t hat m ake for t h e ir p e ace a n d t h e rest are bli n ded B ut

, .

w e res t i n full assuran ce t h at t h e perio d w ill co m e w he n

every eye shall see w h en t h e face of t h e coverin g sh all
,

be t aken fro m all p eop l e a n d t h e ve il fro m all n at io n s ;

,

w hen t h e eart h shall be fill e d w it h t h e k n o w le dg e O f t h e

L O R D ; w h e n t h ey sh all all kn o w h i m fro m t h e least O f ,

t he m un t o t h e gr eat es t O f t he m ; a n d t o kn o w God is life

et ern al ” .

A seven t h class i s referred t o as t hose w h o ca ll

t hem se l ves U n i versa lis t s bu t as t h e man n er of some
“
,

w a s in t h e apost o li c age forsake t h e assemblin g of ,

t he m se l ves t og e t her
”
.

The first secon d an d fourt h classes o f Un iversal i s t s

, ,

t hus described w ere dou b t l ess Rellyan s w h o carr i ed

, ,

t o an ex t re m e i f t hey d i d n ot in so m e cases u n c on
,

sc i ou sl y car i cat ure an d b ur l es que t hat sys t e m of t h e ,

ol og y M r Re lly in h is exalt at i o n Of in t ellect ual fait h

. .
,

as t h e ch ief Chris t ian v irt ue an d h i s deprec iat io n of ,

moral w orks cert a in l y g ave n o resi st an ce t o bu t see m s

, ,

rat her t o have in v it ed An t in o m i an vie w s I t w as n at u

,
.

ra l t hat t h e accept an ce of h i s m ain t heory shoul d have

b een accompan ied in some min ds w i t h ex t rem e n ot ion s
, ,

of so m e of it s feat ures A n e w sect al w ays aff ords an .

open door for t h e e n t ran ce of u n even ly b al an ced m in ds ,

an d it m u s t b e expec t ed t h a t t hey w il l b r in g s t ran g e

vag ari es w it h t he m M r M urray all udes in his pu b

. .
,
380 UN I VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

l i sh e d w orks, t o co n versat i on s w it h such charact ers

a n d a l so in t i m at es t ha t in var i ous sec t io n s he fin ds
, ,

perso n s w h o had read t h e w rit in g s of M r Relly a n d .

,

had more or l ess i m b ib ed his V ie w s 1 B u t t houg h M r .

,
.

M urray s t ren u ously res is t ed t h e in fere n ces w h ich ot hers

dre w from M r Re lly s w rit i n gs it must b e Ob v i ous
.
’

, ,

fro m his ow n presen t at i o n of t h e t heory t hat man y of ,

t hose in fere n ces w ere n ot u n n a t ura l Re llyan i sm w as .

a fan cifu l scheme t hroughou t an d it open ed t h e w ay

, ,

for s t ill w il der n o t i on s I t m ust b e sa id how ever t hat

.
, ,

it w as n ot more fan c ifu l t ha n w as t h e Ol d popul ar

t heo l o gy w it h it s sup posed a ll eg or i es Of t h e M osa i c r it
,

u al s it s lit era l a n d some t i mes l ud i crous co n s t ruc t i o n

, , ,

of n umerous t ext s an d it s w holly ext ern al an d su bst i

,

t u t i on al w ork of Chri s t ; an d t ha t t h e defe n ders of t ha t

t heo l og y foun d t hemse l ves perpet u all y assail ed b y t hose
in t heir ow n ran ks w h o pervert ed or ren dered s t ill m ore ,

fan cifu l t h e ort hodoxy of t hat day

, .

A s t h e t h ird c lass w h ich M r M urray men t i on s .

,

t hose w h o suppose t hat all ma n k in d w il l b e on a l eve l

“

in t h e art i cl e of dea t h he doubt l ess refers t o Cale b

,

Ri ch an d h is follo w ers as w e have n o a c cou n t of an y ,

f

ot hers at t ha t t i me t o w ho m t h i s descr ip t i on m ay b e
, ,

supposed t o apply I t is n ot as w ill b e seen by refer

.
,

e n ce t o w hat has b ee n sai d of t h e vi ew s of M r Ri ch a .

,

j ust st at em en t of h i s t heory alt houg h M r M urray m ay ,

.

have so u n ders tood it I n preced in g pag es in t h i s chap

.

t e r a q uo t a t i o n from M r M urray s l e t t ers sho w s t hat

’
.
,

he e n coun t ered some of t h is c l ass of U n iversali st s in

Con n ect icu t as w ell as in M assachuse t t s He ascrib es
, .

t o t hem v i e w s s i mil ar t o t hose hel d b y Richard Cop

1 S e e L e t t e rs an d S k e t c h e s of Se rm on s, v ol . 11 . pp 1 3 , 2 1 1
. .
 C ONFLI C TI NG T HEORI ES .
3 81

pin , of En gl an d t o w hom M r Re lly had replied The

, . .

st at e m e n t m ade in t h e pa m phl e t w e are n ow n ot ic

in g is subs t an t ia ll y M r Relly s s t a t emen t i n t h e rep ly
’
.
,

referred t o .

T h e fift h Class o f Un iversali st s t hose w h o a ffir m ,

t ha t it is n ot s in n ers bu t si n t ha t w il l b e b roug h t in t o
, ,

j udg men t w e kn o w n o t h in g of S O far as our kn o w l

"
.
,

edg e ex t e n ds t hey are n ot me n t io n e d except in on e

, ,

in s t an ce t o b e n o t iced fart her on

, .

The s i xt h cl ass w ere t h e Win ch e st erian s They w ere .

n umerous at t h e t im e t h i s pamph le t w as publ ished .

M ys t ica l in t erpre t a t io n s of t h e Bi b le w ere exceedi n g ly

d is t ast efu l t o t he m an d t hey had in t roduced w ha t w as
, ,

i n t h e m ai n a more ra t io n a l exeg es i s w hich w as fas t

, ,

supplan t in g if i t had n ot al ready supp l an t ed excep t

, ,

i n t h e l oca l it ies w here M r M urray w as person a ll y .

la b orin g t h e pecu liar t heories Of in t erpre t at ion n e ce s

,

s it a t e d b y t h e Rel l ya n sche m e M r M urray w a s deep ly . .

s t irred by t h is g row in g chan g e an d he e l se w here ex ,

presses himself w it h g rea t bitt ern ess as in deed h ew as , , ,

i n clin ed t o fee l t o w ards all de vi at ion s from h i s ow n

t heory of rede m p t i o n I t w as diffi cul t for him t o b e
.

j ust in his s t at e m e n t s Of opposin g t heori es He cert ain l y .

has n ot g i ven a fa ir prese n t at ion of M r W in chest er s .

’

vi e w s .

We may suppose w it hout prej ud ice t hat M r M u r

, ,
.

ray s ch i ef o bj ect in pu bli sh in g h is H in t s w as t o

’ “ ”

overcome if poss ibl e t h e t en den cy t o depar t fr om Rel

, ,

l y an is m ; an d t ha t he has here m ade as cl ear a s t a t e

men t of t h e pecu li arit ies of t ha t t heory as he has l e ft
us an y accou n t of For t h i s reason it has h ist orica l
.
,

sign ifica n ce a n d i s w ort hy of b ein g preserved

,
.
3 82 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

The year 1 7 9 2 w as a prosperous on e in t h e rap i dly

g ro w in g Un iversa l is t Church S uch w as t h e in creasin g
.

i n t erest i n Bos t on t hat M r M urray y iel ded t o t h e soli c i

.

t at i on s of his fri e n ds t here an d g ave on e ha l f of h i s

,
-

t im e t o t h e supply of t heir pu lpit The church ed ifice .

b ecomin g t oo s mall for t h e con g regat ion it w as e n l arg ed ,

t o t w i ce it s or ig i n a l size An exce lle n t org an w a s se t

up an d a n e w hymn b ook t h e h i st ory a n d peculi
,
”
-
,

ari t ie s of w h i ch w ill b e n o t i ced i n an o t her p l ace su per ,

se de d t h e hymn s o f J ames an d J oh n Rell y .

The circu lar l ett er i ssued b y t h e Ph il adel ph ia Con

ve n t ion i n sess i o n from M ay 2 5 t o 2 9 says
, ,

We have t h e sat isfact io n t o i n form you t hat t h e

n umber O f chu rches a n d socie t ies joi n ed an d u n it ed w i t h

us have in creased t o fift e e n exclusive of t w e n t y five soci

,
-

c t i s s t hat have n ot y e t me t us i n co n ve n t io n
”
.

Eleven chu rches w ere represen t ed b y messen g ers “

at t hat sess i on n ame ly P h ila de l ph i a N e w Br it ain Pik e

, , , ,

Ru n Pe n n
,
Wrig ht st o w n Cape M ay Pitt sgrov e
.
, , ,

S h il oh Kin g w ood N J
, ,Georges H ill s M d ; Drum
. .
,

mo n d To w n M org an t o w n V a The Pike Ru n , G eorges

, , .

H ill s an d M org an t o w n churches S it uat ed a l on g di s

, ,

t an ce w es t O f P h i lade l ph i a asked t o b e se t off in a c on

,

v e n t ion b y t hemse l ves a n d t he i r re ques t w as gra n t ed

,
.

A s imil ar re q ues t w a s made b y t h e Bos t o n Church as ,

foll o w s
As t hereappears t o be a g reat im probabil it y t hat
your An n u al Co n ven t io n s w ill ever be at t en ded by as
man y dele g at es from t h e four N e w E n g lan d S t at es as
t he re are or m ay be churches by reaso n of t h e I l e n g t h y ,

w ay t o so re mot e a p art an d t h e g re at povert y O f i n fa n t

,
 N Ew C ON VENT I ONS .
383

s oci et i es wh o w ill lo n g be w it hou t fun ds it has t herefore

, ,

been t h ought advisable t h at a Co n ven t ion should be

holde n i n so me ce n t ral part of t h e four N e w E n glan d
.

St at es an d t ha t all t h e churches a n d socie t i es in t hese

,

S t at es an d Verm o n t [p r obably N e w York is mean t ]

mi g ht be in vi t ed t o at t e n d This Co n ve n t i o n if holde n
.
,

i n t h e fall w ould pres e n t an O p p ort un it y t o you of r e

,

ce i v in g accou n t s t h erefro m in t h e sprin g ; a n d your

le t t ers in M a y mig ht be forw arded t o us for con siderat ion

at t h e S ep t e mb er m ee t in g ; a n d ou r doin g s of S e t e mb er
p
t ran smit t e d for your co n siderat ion at t h e M a y C on v e n
t io n . Thus a con t in ual exchan g e of k n o w ledg e or coun ,

s e l w o u ld t ak e place ; an d w hilst from you w e becam e

,

acquai nt ed w it h t h e st at e of t h e churches beyon d Ph il a

delphia t h e bret h ren at Philadelphia an d t o t h e sout h
,

w ard w oul d be cert ified by u s of t h e s t an di n g of t he

churches in t he se part s S hould it see m meet u n t o you
.
,

dearly bel oved t hat t h e w it hi n be at t e n de d t o an d t hat

, ,

ben eficial effect s w ould result t he refrom w e should be ,

pleased w it h re ceivi n g a f e w lin es con firmin g us i n t h e

”
sen t im en t s t hus expressed .

The Con ven t i on appo in te d a commi t t ee t o reply , an d

t heir a n sw er w as approved durin g t h e sess i on

Your in format ion of a proposal of formin g a C on v e n "

t ion i n your part s mee t s our h eart y approbat io n upon ,

t h e full assuran ce of con t i n ui n g such a mut ual con n ect io n

as you me n t io n An d p e rh aps it m ay be b e st t o h ave a
.

g e n eral m ee t i n g of dele g at e s fro m t h e seve ral Con ve n

t io n s t hat may b e est ablish e d i n so me fut u re period .

An d w e are happy t o t ell you of a si milar request of

formin g a Co n ven t io n in t h e Wes t .

The s ig n ifi can ce o f t h i s request or proposal an d t he

, ,

an sw er t o it in con n ec t i on w it h t h e fact t hat t h e Asso

,
3 84 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

ci at i on f ormed at ce ased t o ex i s t
O xford in 1 7 85 h ad ,

w ill b e apparen t I f t h e Un iversa li s t s of M assach u

.

se t t s had kept t he old org a n izat io n alive t here w oul d ,

have b ee n n o occas ion t o sugg est t h e formin g o f a n e w

on e .

A mi n ist er Ab e l Sarj en t past or o f th e t hree

n ew , ,

w es t e rn churches w as in att e n da n ce at t hi s sess i on

,
.

Un fort un a te l y w e kn ow very li tt l e con cern in g hi m

,
.

The let t er fro m t h e Pik e Ru n church sa i d :

Ou r beloved brot her ,
has fait hfully
Abel S arj en t , w ho
labored t h ese four years i n t his coun t ry , is n ow w e ex ,

p e ct , abou t t o le ave us a n d w e have n o room t o say

,

au ght a gain s t i t for h e has fai t hfully l abored t hese four

,

years an d i n t his coun t ry h as bee n in s t rumen t al in c on

,

v in cin g very m an y ; a n d w e may say it has bee n chiefly

upo n his ow n charg es an d he is n ow t hereby so reduced

,

t hat h e i s in a l ikely w ay t o be dist ressed by t h e l a w for

w an t of cash t o defra y h i s n ecessary charg es i n l i fe an d ,

w e can n ot hel p h i m because i t is i mpossi b le t o obt ai n

cash in t h i s coun t ry ”
.

When M r Sarj e n t b egan t o preach w e have n ot

.
,

b een a bl e t o as cert a in He w as a man Of k e e n min d

.
'

g ood Re qu ire me n ts an origin a l thi n ker as w e shall

, ,

presen t ly see an d o f g re at in dustr y The l et t er o f th e

, .

church o f G eorg es H ill s al so spoke Of M r S arj en t as .

a man w h o has t o our kn ow ledg e exposed himsel f n ow

for a l on g t im e t o un co mm on difficult ies in t h e l ab ors of
t he g ospe l an d for t h e n ame of Jesus Chri st our L ord ;
a n d t h ou gh he has bee n of t en reproac hed on t hat accoun t ,

y e t by a due an d s t ri ct exam i n at ion w e h ave fou n d t h e

repo rt s t o b e false in r espect of h i s reproach an d hi m ,

fully w ort hy of his place a n d s t an di n g w it h u s (accord

 FREE WI LL AND DEC REEs . 385

i n g t o t h e w ord of God) as a member in full co mm u n io n

an d g ood s t an di n g i n our church a n d also as our,
pa st or ”
.

The vexat ious q uest i on s of divin e sovere ign t y an d

free w ill w ere t hrust upon t h e Co n ven t i o n b y t his
M arylan d church in t h e fol l o w in g port i o n of t he ir
l et t er
We h ave lat ely pass ed an act i n our church t hat a n y
m e m ber holdi n g t hat all t hi n g s t hat co m e t o pass w ere
i rrevocably decreed so of God a n d t herefore n ot hin g ,

co m i n g t o p ass i s con t rary t o or a t r an s g ressio n of t h e

, ,

w ill of Dei t y b u t every t h i n g is con si st e n t w it h hi s w ill

,

t h at does co m e t o pass shall n ot be held i n fellow ship

, .

An d t h e church u n an i m ously an d c h eerfully vot e d t h at

n o suc h m e m ber ou h t by an
g y m ean s t o be h e ld i n f e l
l ow shi p or his s t an din g be r e t ai n e d i n t h e church ; for
w e co n ceive t hat t h e harbori n g of such a se n t i m e n t or

doct rin e i n a churc h t e n ds i n every w ay t o t h e dishon or

of t h e church an d cause t hey p rofess a n d is dest ruct ive ,

of t h e order of Chris t ; for if every t ran s g ression is c on

sist e n t w it h t h e decrees or order or w il l O f t h e Dei ty
, , ,

t he n of co n seque n ce t h e co m m an ds mus t be i n co n sist e n t

w i t h t h e decrees or order or w ill of t h e Dei t y an d t h e
, , ,

co mm an ds an d orders of God t o us as in dividuals are

ren dere d void an d every t ran s g ressio n an d disord e r
,

j us t ified .

I n co n seque n ce of t h e above w e h ave t h ou g ht pro p er

,

t o propose t h e foll o w i n g queries t o you A con form it y t o

t h e decrees of God m us t be con f orm i t y t o t h e order of
God an d h ow can a du e subject ion an d co n formit y t o t h e
,

order of God be re provable Is n ot a reproof a m an i

f e st at i on of disapprobat io n An d w ill God disa pprove
of t h e du e execut io n O f h is ow n ord er or de crees H ow
c an t his be called t ran s g r essio n or disobedi e n c e w he n all ,

h a s be e n do n e exact ly a g reeable or co n sist e n t w i t h t h e w ill

VOL . I . 25
3 86 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

of t h e D eit y except God co mm an d us t o act co n t rary t o his

,

w ill We beseech you bre t h re n t o se n d us a full an sw er

, ,

t o t h is epist le, especially t o t h e above queri es .

Revs Art is Seag rave an d N ich ol as Cox w ere in

.

st ructe d t o prepare an an sw er w h i ch t hey report ed t o ,

t h e Co n ven t i on on M on day morn in g The re cords S how .

t hat it w as 5 read b y parag raph an d approved th e

‘
, ,

w h o l e o f t h e morn in g sess i on b e in g g ive n t o t h e c on

s iderat i on o f it The copy re t ain ed by th e Con ven t i o n

.

is as f o ll ow s
I N C O N VE N T I ON, PH I L AD E L PH I A, M ay 2 7 , 1 7 92 .

D ea r B r e th r e n a nd F e l low H e ir s i n t h e S a l va t i on
-

f
o

J esu s , We received your let t er by Bro t her S arj e n t a n d ,

rejoice t o h ear t hat God h as in cli n ed your heart s t o be

lieve t h e g ospel an d ope n ly profess t h e U n iversal
,

S aviour ; bu t lame n t at t h e sa m e t ime t o hear t h at t here

, ,

i s a n y an i mos it y or divisio n like t o t ake place am on g

you or an y of t h e dear bret hre n in your part of t h e w orld
respecti n g specul at ive poi n t s i n doct ri n e ; an d un feig n edly
lam en t t hat you have made a n y decree i n your ch ur ch
eit h er t o exclude an y or refuse t o receive an y m erely
, ,

on accoun t of t h e i r sen t i me n t respect i n g t heir ideas of

t h e pur poses or decrees of God, — t hese t h i n g s bein g

b eyo n d t h e full co mprehe n sio n O f you or us w hile w e see
t hrou g h a gl ass d arkly T h ese sam e differe n t opin ion s
.

have made g reat co n fusio n an d di sorder i n m an y soci

e t i e s f or a g es an d w e n ever fin d t hat t hey had a n y g ood
,

t en de n cy .An d w e do n ot w on der t ha t me n should quar

rel an d an at hemat ize on e an oth er for sen t ime n t w hile t hey ,

believed t hat t h e l ove of God depen ded on t he belief of

t h e creat ure ; bu t for t hose w h o believe as you an d w e
do t hat t h e love of God in Chri st Jesus is y e a an d
,

a men ; an d t h at his l ove t o us does n ot depe n d on our

belief of an y t heory bu t t h at our kn ow l edg e of his love
,
 FREE WI LL AND DEGREES . 3 87

to us in Jesus, an d t h at an t ecede n t t o our bel i ef, i s t h e

cause of our happin ess our love t o God an d u n io n w it h
, ,

on e an o t h e r i n on e co mm o n S aviour ; an d t hat in propor

t io n t o ou r li ght or evi de n ce of t h e t rut h is ou r fai t h a n d ,

co n seque n t ly ou r joy i n t h e L ord for us t o refuse or ,

-

exclude an y of our fello w heirs an d b lood boug h t pur - -

chase O f t h e L amb w hi le t h ey p rofess t o love God an d

, ,

do n ot in w orks de n y h i m bu t differ fro m us in som e ,

ideas of t h e purposes of God w e humbly con ceive is con ,

t rary t o t h e pri n ciples of un iversal love w e profess an d ,

t h e exa mples of our dear Head an d M as t e r w h o reprov e d ,

t h e disciples for forbiddin g an y m ere ly b ecause t hey di d;

n ot exact ly follo w t he m .

These t hin g s dear bret hren w ere co n sidered w hen

, ,

m an y of us first m e t i n co n ve n t ion t o co n sult on so m e

plan of art icles of fait h an d ch urch govern me n t We .

me t w it h dif fere n t ideas ; m an y of us b elieved an d s t ill ,

believe t h e sen t im e n t s for w hich y ou con de mn your

,

bret hren accordi n g t o t h e act of t h e church m en t ion ed

,

by y ou — t houg h n ot expresse d i n t h e same w ords per

, ,

haps as you have used t o express your abhorre n ce of

,

t he m by ; a n d so m e of us are i n sen t i me n t opposed t o

t hese ide as bu t w e are far fro m believi n g t hat ei t her
,

se n t imen t oug ht t o exclude an y from u n io n i n t h e

church We ag reed t o disag ree i n t hese t hin g s, t o th in k
.

an d l e t t hi n k accordin g t o t h e m easure of li g ht g i ve n

t o us w it hout ce n suri n g on e an ot her for sai d se n t i

,

m en t.

You have request e d us t o decide on t h e sen t im en t s

you spoke Of in your le t t er ; bu t dear bret hr en w e do , ,

n ot t hi n k i t our provi n ce as a Co n ve n t io n t o decide on

a n y such se n t i m e n t s or a t t e m p t t o e s t ablish an y rule of

,

ort hodoxy This pre ro g at ive w e t hi n k, belo n g s o n ly t o

.
,

our M as t er Al l of us are bre t h ren an d have n o ri ght

.
,

t o lord it over God s h e ri t ag e We are short si ght ed,

’
-
.

w eak fallibl e an d part ial creat ures ; an d w h o are w e

, ,
 388 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

t hat w e sh ould j ud g e an o t her m a n s servan t We are ’

n ot t h e j ud e O f t h e quick n or of t h e dead
g , ; w e do n ot ,

t herefore choose t o j u dg e lest w e be j ud g ed an d t hat

, , ,

j us t ly t oo for our i g n oran t an d part i al j u dg m e n t ; a n d

, ,

w e re w e t o co n t e n d i n Co n ve n t io n about t h e s e n t i m e n t s

you me n t io n i n your let t er w hat w ould be t h e c on s e

,

qu e n c e ? or eve n about m an y ot her ide as ? as per ,

h ap s n ot t w o can t hin k alike i n all t hi n g s

, Wh y t h e .
,

co n seque n ce w ould be t o divide differ an d fin ally de , ,

st roy our fello w ship as a Co n ve n t io n an d perhaps S pread

t h e disord e r t hrou g h t h e churche s w e represe n t a n d i h ,

st ead O f buildin g on e an o t her up in t h e esse n t ial poin t ,

t o w it fait h i n Jesus t h e S aviour of m e n w e should g o

, , ,

on co n t e n di n g w h o should be g r e at est in t h e ki n g do m of

heaven "
You dear bre t hre n have by se n di n g a le t t er desirin g
, , ,

t o j oi n a n d be recei ved i n t o t h e Co n ve n t io n professed

, , ,

u n io n a n d a desire of fello w ship w it h t h e churches t hat

c o mp ose t his Co n ve n t io n as you have adopt ed t h e
,

A rt icle s of Fai t h a n d Plan of Church Gover n me n t s e t

fort h M ay 25 1 7 90 T h ese Art icles do n ot require a
,
.

m e m ber of t h e church t o believe or disbelieve t h e se n t i

m e n t s you have c o n d e m n e d by t h e ac t of your church ,

n ei t her does t h e for m of church g over n m e n t aut horize a

church t o exclude an y m e m ber b e lievin g i n Jesus for ,

an y t hi n g bu t act i n g co n t rary t o g ood m oral charact er ,

a n d d e p ar t i n g fro m our Art icles of Fai t h Ye t by t h e .

,

a ct of your church t hou g h w e joyf u lly r e ceive you so me ,

,

O f us a n d perhaps t h e g reat es t part of us m us t be de

, ,

n ied co mm u n io n w i t h you on t h e supposit io n t hat our

,

se n t i m e n t s may so m et im es le a d us t o vice Has n ot t his

b e e n t h e pre t ex t for all reli g ious p e rsecut io n i n t h e an t i
C hrist ia n w orld B u t m ay t h e L or d g ran t t h at each of
us dea r bret hre n t hat have n am ed t h e n am e of t h e L ord
, ,

as t h e S aviour of t he w orld m ay depart fro m t his in ,

i qu ity , a n d t ry t o live g odly i n C h ris t Jes u s, t houg h

 FUT URE PUNI SHM ENT. 3 89

t h os e t hat do n ot y e t k n o w t h e t ruth may say of u s, as

t hey did of Pau l, w e d e s t roy t h e l a w by our fai t h .

“
An d, dea rly b eloved an d lo n g ed for i n t h e L ord pe r ,

mit us as fello w heirs w i t h you n ot t o co m m an d you bu t

-
, ,

e n t re at you t o co n sider t hat t h e se n t imen t s you h ave

,

m e n t io n ed w it h such abhorre n ce oug ht n ot t o be a bar t o

Christ ian fello w s h ip in t h e C hu rch of Chri st An d w e .

ho pe y ou w i ll so co n s ider it an d n ot l e t your l a w be like

,

t hat of t h e M edes an d P e rsian s L e t h i m t hat can n ot

.

be ar st ron g m eat have t h e l ibert y of eat in g he rbs an d ,

t hey t hat are t oo you n g t o di g est herb s e at mi lk An d ,

.

Whet her you e at or drin k do all t o t h e g lory of God

, ,

an d t ry t o exerc ise t hat ch arit y i n Jesus t hat suf fere t h

l on g an d is kin d, vaun t et h n ot it se lf , is n ot puff ed u p ,

rejoicet h n ot i n in iqu it y t hi n ket h n o evil bu t rejoic e t h

, ,

in t h e t ru t h be aret h al l t h in g s hope t h al l t hin g s be l i e v

, , ,

e t h al l t hi n g s an d n ever failet h
,
Try in all t hin g s t o
.

cult ivat e a spi r it of love an d un io n amo n g yoursel ves ;

”
l e t t h e s tr on g bea r t h e i n fir m i t i e s of t h e w eak .

The fo ll o w in g le t t er w rit t en by t he M oderat or o f th e

,

Con ven t i on sho w s t hat t h e doct rin e o f n o f ut ure pu n

,

ish me n t w as al ready advoca t ed in some of th e churches ,

an d w it h o t her d iff ere n ces w as creat in g d iv is i on s

, ,

PH I L A D E L PH I A M ay 2 7
, ,
1 7 92 .

i n bel i ef t he r es t or a t i on o f all thi n gs

D ea r B r e th r e n o f
Un kn o w n t o an y of you person all y an d perhaps ,

un heard of, y e t t o as man y as see t his a n d w h o love

t h e L ord Jesus Christ g ree t i n g ,

“ By our b ro t her S arj e n t w h o is rece i ve d by t h e C on

,

his place as t h m esse n g er from

i
ve n t o n n o w m e t i n t e ,

hree di f fere t churches i your par t s w e are i n fo rm e d

t n n , ,

an d do l a m e n t t o hear t ha t t h ere is d i scord a m o n g y ou

,

who h ave e m br ac e d t h i s g reat t rut h A n d al t hou g

. h an

apost le says (1 Cor xi . . F or t h e re mu st be a ls o h e r e

‘
3 90 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AME RI C A .

y e t w e w ould h Op e be t te r t hin g s of
’
s ie s a mon g y ou , e tc ,.

you Do ren d body of J sus f or w e a r e m e m

‘
. n ot the e ,

body of h i s f l e s h , a n d of h i s b (E p h vi
’
ber s of h is ,
on es . .

B u t th e body is n ot me mbe r , bu t m a n y
on e Let .

n ot t he f oot s a y, B eca u s e I a m n ot t h e h a n d I a m n ot of
’
th e body .

“ As an in d ivi dual I address you an d accordin g t o in , ,

form at ion fin d you are n ot divide d about t h e ext e n t of

,

s alvat io n bu t w it h respect t o t h e mode of it True i n

,
.
,

deed w it hin my ow n k n o w led g e I fin d t hose w h o have

,

e mb r aced t hi s g lorio u s t rut h m uch d i vided in t his m at t er .

B u t w it h us w e ar e happy e n ou g h t o fin d t hat t hese divi

sio n s t en d more t o ce me n t t han t o se parat e us ; for by
t his w e lear n forbearan ce brot herly ki n dn ess char it y , , .

You n e ed n ot exercise forbeara n ce or charit y t o w ards

t hose w h o t h i n k i n all respect s w it h you I see quit e as .

mu ch diff ere n ce i n t h e explan at io n of t h e m ode of salva

t i o n w it h t hose w h o h ave e m braced t h is doct r i n e as t here ,

appears am on g ot her sect s of co n t en din g Chris t ian s w h o

have a greed i n t his, n am ely t hat bu t a small part of ,

man ki n d w il l be saved B u t shall w e t ake t he m for our

.

exa mple w it h respect t o con t e n t io n e n din g i n d ivisio n s

God forbid Yea rat her l e t us se t t he m an exam ple of
.
,

forbe aran ce a n d co n st rai n t hem t o say S e e h ow U n i

, ,

v e r sa l i s t s love on e an ot her .

Q uarrel n o m ore ab out t h e decrees an d forek n o w led g e

of God our co mmo n Fat her They amoun t t o t h e s am e
, .

i n t h e breast s of t h e diff ere n t part ies t hat hold t he m .

An d n ever l e t m e fix my con clusion s t o my brot he r’s

pre mises He c an a n d do t h recon cile t hem t o him self
. .

‘
Wit h his ow n M ast er he st an ds or falls ’ An d blesse d, .

be hi s M as t er, w e m ay add he shall st an d ; for God i s ,

‘

able t o hold h im up ’
Ag ai n w e fin d t hat t hose disput e s
.
,

t oo oft e n e n g e n der w rat h a n d m isreprese n t at i o n s eve n of

ou r ow n se n t i me n t s ; for it is al mos t t h e i n variable con
seque n ce of fly in g fro m on e ext re m e t o fall in t o t h e
 FU T URE P UNI S HM ENT .
39 1

o t h e r H e n ce t h e differe n t opin io n s — such as a n e n d

.
,

less hell of misery or n o h e ll a t all i n a f u t ure st at e or

,

a h ell of pun ish me n t co n sidered as a place of at o n e me n t ,

— all w hich I co n ceive t o be equal l y w ro n S u r e ly

g .
,

w e may s af ely say t h at h e w h o b e l i e ve t h on t h e S on h a t h

‘

e ve r la s t i n g l if e and h e th a t be l i e v e t h n ot s h a l l n ot s e e l if e,

bu t t h e w r a th o f God abi de t h on him .

’
B u t as all have
bee n i n a s t at e of un belief t h is s h all n ot ,
‘
see life e t c
,
’
.
,

m us t on ly m ean w hile u n de r t his s t at e ; , a n d as Goal

ha th con cl u de d t h e m a ll in u n be l ief ; th a t h e m ig h t h a ve
m er cy on as b e li e vin g sur ely g ive s us a m a n i
a l l,
’
an d

f e s t a t i on of t his m ercy as m a n y as die w i t h o u t such ,

k n o w ledg e m ust co m e t o it i n an ot h e r st at e or dis p e n s a

t io n or be d e p rived of it ti m e w i t h ou t e n d
, You do n ot .

beli e ve t h at d e at h it self w ill g ive t h e m s u ch a m an ifest a

t io n ; a n d as t h e co n s e qu e n ce of t his i g n or a n ce is pain
a n d m isery w e k n o w t his m us t a w ait t h e m t ill such a
,

m an ifes t at io n t akes place A s for t h e d e g ree or durat ion .

of t his bli n dn ess an d m isery w e are n ot able t o say ; bu t ,

k n o w i t mus t e n d i n t h e t im e of t h e rest it ut io n of all

t hi n g s A n d t herefore w e can n ot fro m d ivin e record
.
, ,

beli e ve i n w h at is called a n en dl e ss hell ; n or ca n w e be

lie ve t h at t h e ch ast isem e n t sufferi n g or w h at e ver calle d , , ,

w e m ay e n dure i n a fut ure s t at e or dispe n sat io n can ,

m ake a n y at on e m e n t or com pe n sat io n for t h e offe n ce w e

have co mm it t e d Th is be l on gs t o ou r g r e a t s a cr ifi ce a n d
.
,

t hat o n ly .

Ag ain I be g do n ot d ivide w ran gle an d dest roy on e

, , , ,

an ot her w it h doubt ful w ords of d ispu t at io n B u t h i m .

"

t h at is w eak i n t h e fai t h rec e ive y e D o n ot ca st h i m .

ou t bu t receive h i m
,
What sh all I say m ore .
S h al l I
t ell you t hat I n ot o n ly be li e ve t h at t h e s e jarri n g se n t i
m e n t s do a n d w ill dis t u rb e very reli g ious soci e t y e n g a g ed
t o k n o w t h e t ru t h bu t also t h e r e is a sa m p le of t h e m in
,

ev e ry m an s ow n m i n d as a n i n dividual w h o is in pur
’
,

s uit of salvat io n ? An d if t hi s is so i t oug ht t o m ake ,

39 2 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

us bear w it h on e an o t her Ag ain I say do n ot re n d t h e .

, ,

body of Jesus n or w eaken a sin gle mem ber of it Re

,
.

m e m ber t hat you are w at ched on all han ds Be t h e re .

fore as a ci t y s e t on a h ill n ot asha med t o be seen a t ,

n oo n day a n d l e t o t h e rs so s e e your g ood w orks as t o be

,

con st r ain e d t o g lo r ify you r Fat her w h o is i n heave n .

An d t h e m os t esse n t ial g ood w ork you c an do is t o love

an d assis t on e a n o t he r .

Fro m your bro t her in belief of t h e t rut h ,

“
JA M E S M O O R E .

T o the di vide d brothe r s at Pik e R u n , Washi n

g ton C ou n ty ,
Pe n n syl va n ia .

The Church at Bost o n gave t h e fo ll o w in g s t at e m en t .

in reg ard t o t h e con d it i on of t h e cause a t t h e east

w ard

T he Ch u rch co n sist s of n early e ig h ty

a t B os t on

me m be r s w h o have si g n ed t h e A rt icles of Fait h an d

, l ,

un it in g co mpact h av m g fello w ship w it h e a ch o t her in

,

t h e belief of t h e t ru t h an d t h e order of t h e g osp e l

, .

Very m an y of t hese bot h m e n an d w o m e n see it c on

, ,

sist e n t w it h t he i r professio n t o prese n t t h e frui t of t heir

loi n s in dedicat ion t o t h e E verlast in g Fat her ; a n d also
t o break bread i n re m e m bran ce of t h e L ord Jesus w i t h ,

si n g le n ess of eye an d a t han kful heart

,
Th ere are .

ot hers w h o havin g as t hey judg e passed beyo n d all

, , ,

shado w s an d laid hold of t h e subst an ce look w it h in

, ,

diff e r e n ce upo n t h e t hin g s t hat are see n A S piri t of .

harmo n y ho w ever pre vails bet w ee n bot h an d h e t hat

, , ,

re g ard e t h an d he t h at re g arde t h n ot , avoid j ud gm en t

each of t h e o t her re m e m beri n g t hat t o t heir ow n M ast e r
,

t hey st an d or fall I n a ddi t io n t o t hese w e m ay spe ak

.
,

of t hree or fou r t i m es t h e n u m ber already me n t io n ed ,

w h o usually w orship w it h us a n d le n d a pat ie n t an d ,

ope n ear t o t h e g la d t idin g s of g reat joy I n a f e w .

w ords t h e S ociet y i n creas e t h by t h e g oo d pleasur e of

,
 RE ORT P FROM NE W ENG LAND . 3 93

our God ; an d w e h O p e an d t rust t hat t hey may show

t h e m selves t e m perat e i n al l t hi n g s an d be a patt ern ,

un t o believers .

T h e S oci et y a t G l ou c es t er Cap e An n , hath be e n g rad ,

u all y lesse n i n g by deat h s ; an d m a n y y o u n g people have

in t erm arried am o n g ot her church es an d sat do w n be ,

n eat h t h e shado w of an o t her m in ist ry The sit ua t ion .

of ou r bre th ren i n t his t o w n w hi ch is n ot at prese n t so ,

lovely in prospect as heret ofore m ay also possibly have ,

arise n in part f ro m t h eir bein g dest it ut e of t h e preached

, ,

w ord for on e h a lf of t h e year co n seque n t on w hich so me , ,

have forsook t h e assem blin g of t he m selve s t o g e t her at

t h ese in t erm ediat e seaso n s an d i n st ead of pro g ressin g , ,

i n kn ow led g e an d love h ave rat her lapsed i n t o a s t at e

,

of l u ke w armn ess These re marks i t is bu t can did t o

.
,

obser v e do n ot app ly t o t h e w hole of t hat S ociet y

, .

There are t hose w ho s e la mps are t rimmed in w hose ,

vessels are oil an d w hose lig h t s shin e before me n t o

,

t h e g lory of t hei r Heave n ly Fat h e r N ei t her do w e , .

dearly b eloved m e n t io n t h e above in a spirit of cen sure

, .

For t hem t h e be g i n n i n g of our s t re n g t h in t h e g ospel

, ,

for t he m a kin d of fir s t fruit s un t o God of his w ork man

,
-

ship in t his lan d w e feel sorrow an d heavi n ess of heart

, ,

lest an y hav in g ru n w ell should n ow be hin dered An d

, , .

if t here are a n y con solat io n s i n Chri st comfort of ,

love or fello w shi p of t h e S pir it — f u l fil ye t hen , w e

, , ,

beseech you our joy ; look on t hese t h e t hin g s of ot h

, ,

ers an d may t h eir heart s receive t h e brot herly w ord of

,

exhortat ion in due seaso n ,

.

At Att l e b or ou g h M assac huset t s t here is a s mall

, ,

socie t y coll ect ed from t hat an d t h e adj ace n t t ow n s

, .

As y e t w e h ave received n o accou n t s of t heir w alk

,

w it h e ach o t he r or w h at co n fessio n of fai t h t hey h old

,

to. B u t b y repor t fro m Bro t he r Richa r ds w h o abode

, ,

w i t h t he m on e day a n d a n i g ht t hey are co me ou t an d , ,

co me in fro m real pri n cip le

,
.
3 94 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

“
I n M i lf or d, M assachuset t s t here a r e m an y professors ,
.

These have h ad it i n co n t e m plat io n t o build a m ee t i n g

house ; bu t w e rat her t hin k i t w ill be a lat e dat e before
it is accomplished T h e bre t h re n i n t his place are averse
.

t o syst e m, an d g e n erally w alk as it seem e t h rig h t un t o

e very m an .

“
A t B el l i n g ha m G r af t on an d so m e o t her places, such
, ,

as Oxf or d e t c , t h e w ord is pre ac he d o n ce a m on t h

,
. .

N um bers at t e n d on t hes e occasio n s an d decl are t hem ,

selves w ell pleased ; bu t t he re is n o society upo n a ,

re gular b asis if w e except O xford

,
.

Wa r w i ck E gr emon t H a rd w ic k an d Pe tersh a m con

, , , ,

t ai n several w arm frien d s t o t h e cause They ha ve come .

in t o order in several of t hese t o w n s an d h ave n ot o n ly ,

profess i o n bu t also possessio n

,
.

“
I n t h e St at e of N ew H a mp s hi r e t h e bret hre n are ,

an d have b een m uch scat t ered The deat h of ou r .

Brot her Parker w hich w e t rus t w as life un t o h im in

,

t h e L or d left t h e bre t hre n at Por t s m ou t h w i t hout an y

,

vi sible help in t eachin g S om e at t em pt s w ere m ade t o.

supply hi s place The w at cha . w at ched, t h e builders

l abored bu t in vain N ot lon g si n ce our el der M r

, .
, , .

M urr ay vi s it ed t h e society a n d t hey appeare d w ell

, ,

di sposed t o un it e t o g et her if i t w a s onl y o n ce i n t hr ee

,

m on t hs t hat t hey could h ear t h e g ood report We hope .

t hat t h e ban ds of t heir u n ion m ay b e st re n gt he n ed an d ,

t heir h eart s kn it t o g e t her .

“
Rhod e I s la n d has bu t a f e w w h o profess t h e U n i
ve rsal l ove of God t o man Of t h ese, t h e bret hren in .

Prov i den ce asse mble part of t h e First day in a pri vat e

h ouse, a n d t h e o t her part of t h e day t hey t arry at
ho m e or w orship elsew h e re Those t hat are at N e w
, .

port join n e i t her w it h t h e w orld n or w it h each ot her

, .

They are afraid of m o n t hs of days an d of years ; an d, , ,

t o avoid bei n g e n t an g led w it h w h at t hey dee m a yoke

of bon dag e t hey keep fro m eve n t h e appearan ce of
,
 LEGAL T ROU B LES I N NEw JERSEY . 3 95

assembli n g at an y t i m e Bre t hre n " t hese t hin g s oug ht

.

n ot t o be so "

Ver mon t By rece n t accou n t s t herefrom t h e w ilder

.
,

n e ss blosso m s w i t h t h e Rose of S haro n The t rut h of .

t h e g ospel S pre ads far a n d w ide i n t hose part s an d t h e ,

oracles of reaso n are bein g daily exchan g ed for t h e liv e ly

oracles of t h e livin g God .

Con n e ct icu t as Bro t her Barn s in f orm s us is r e

, ,

n ou n c in g e arly i mbibed prejud ices -

for lat e discovered -
,

t rut hs The m ee t in g houses are very g en erally open ed

.
-

t o our speakers an d t h e S p irit of opposit io n declin es

,

apace .

“
N e w Yor k or rat h er t h e in t erior part s of t hat S t at e
, ,

are beholdin g more an d m ore of t h e lig ht t hat sha ll

i n crease u n t o t h e perfect day ; a n d m an y rejoice i n t h e
healin g rays of t h e S u n of Rig ht e o u sn ess .

“ This fai hful por t rai t dearly beloved hat h it s bri h t

t , g ,

a n d pleasin g i t s dark a n d p ai n ful colorin g s The cloud ‘

.
, ,

a n d t h e pillar of fire , w e re t h e at t e n da n t s of Israel,

’

un t il t hey e n t ered t h e lan d of pro m ise They re m ain .

un t o t his day ” .

I n New Jersey lega l diffi cu lt ies di st u rb ed some of

,

t h e churches At Kin gw ood t h e Un iversa lis t s had a

. ,

severe st ruggl e for t h e p ossession of t h eir house of w or

shi p t h e min orit y o f a form er Bap t is t S ocie t y b e i n g
,

det ermin ed t o t ake t h e w hol e w it hou t all o w in g t hem ,

a n y compe n sa t i o n f or t he i r share I n 1 7 91 t hey r e .

,

port ed t o t h e Con ven t i o n t hat a committ ee of mu t ual

fri en ds h ad se tt led t he difli c u l t y ; bu t in 1 7 9 2 t hey had ,

t o report t h i s co n d it i o n of t hin g s

“
Ou r ppo n e n t s have frequen t ly locked t h e meet in g
O

house a g ain st u s an d as oft e n so m e O f our people have

,

ope n ed it N ow t hey have g o n e so far as t o g e t ou t a

.

S t a t e w arr an t for fo u r of our people, an d t ook t hem

39 6 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

before t hree Just ice s w h o alt houg h t hey w ere ou r e n e

, ,

m ies allo w e d adjour n m e n t i n order as w e t h ou g h t t o

, , , ,

bri n g for w ard our evide n ces ; bu t w he n t hey a ppeared ,

t h e y w oul d n ot h e ar t he m bu t bou n d over t w o of t h e

,

four t o t h e February Court ; t h e o t her t w o t h e y dis

charg e d The Gran d Jury sa t, bu t fo un d n o bill ag ain s t
.

t h e m ; bu t because our oppo n e n t s p lead t hat t he ir p ri n

c i pa l evide n ce could n ot co m e on e of t h e m w a s dis ,

ch a rg ed ; t h e o t he r co n t in ue d un der his reco g n izan ce

t ill t h e M ay t erm T h e re bein g t he n n o Gran d Jury
.
,

our at t orn e y plead t hat it w a s u n reaso n able t hat a per

s on w h o w as char g ed w i t h breaki n g ope n a m ee t i n g house -

should be boun d a n y lo n g er ; w hereupo n he w as dis

charg e d Wh at effect t h is m ay h ave upo n our e n e mies
.
,

w e k n o w n ot — o n ly t hat t hey g ave us n o t r ouble last

,

S u n day for w e m e t i n peace t han ks t o t h e L ord ”

, , .

I n Sept e m b e r,
Rev A b e l Sarj en t . w as in Ba lt im ore
w here he pu blished t h e fo ll o w in g

Va ri ou s Q u e s t ion s t o th e T ea ch e r s i n I sr a e l

As I w a s passi n g t hrou g h t h e s t reet s of Balt imore in ,

deep medit at io n beholdin g t h e g reat act ivi t y of m an y

,

shi n in g g en t lem e n as w ell as t h ose O f t h e fairer s e x

, ,

especially t h ose i n t h e bloo m of life — I w a s led i n t o ,

t h e follo w i n g q u eri e s w hich I hu m bly reques t so m e

,

t eachers i n Israel (t hat m ay fin d t he m selves capable

)
t o an s w er
“
We k n o w t hat a w ise mas t er builder w he n h e is -
,

about t o perform a n y build i n g is fixe d in his i n t en t ion

w h a t t o perfor m
,

; t h e p l a n by w hich t o br i n g abou t t h e
pe rfor m an ce i s d e vis ed a n d t h e firs t s t roke t h at he

st rikes is expressive n ot on l y O f t h e builde r s d e s ig n

,
’
,

bu t also t hat he i n t en ds an d exp e cts t o brin g t his d e si g n

, ,

to b e f u l l y e e ct e d, a n d, t h erefor e ma k es t h e a t t e m t t o
j p,
 Q UEST I ONS T O TEAC HERS .
39 7

execut e the s am e ; an d t he fi r s t s t roke t hat he st r ikes

is t h e a t t e mp t .

If be a w ise builder h e w ill n ot m ak e t h e at t e m pt

he ,

t ill h e h as firs t s e t do w n a n d w ell co n si d e r e d t h e cost a n d ,

every obst ruct io n t hat m ay co m e w it h in h i s kn o w le dg e

t o p reve n t t h e acco m plis h m e n t of t h e desired e ff e c t ;
les t aft er he has at t e m p t ed if h e sh o u ld fail all t hat
, , ,

behol d h i m be g in t o m ock sayi n g Th is m a n b eg an t o , ,

‘

bui ld a n d w a s n ot abl e t o fi n is h
, ( Lu ke xiv 2 7 .
’
.

I M ust n ot G od w h o is t h e Buil de r of all cre at io n

.
, ,

i n creat i n g such n obl e bei n g s w hich are supe rior t o all ,

t h e rest of his lo w e r c r e at io n hav e h a d so m e pa r t ic u l a r ,

an d g ra n d d esi g n co n cer n i n g t h e fin al s t at e of t h o s e

be in g s
“
II Is i t possible for an y bei n g i n ferior t o God by
.
,

freedo m of w ill or an yt hin g e ls e t o prev e n t t h e eff ect ,

i n g of t h at w hic h God i n t e n ded t o effect ? N O doubt ,

m an y m a y O ppose a n d t h e r e by i n v olve t h e m selv e s i n

,

t e n t housan d sorro w s ; bu t is i t p ossi ble f or God fi n ally

t o f ail or t o have a n y of his i n t e n t io n s fru s t rat ed
,

I I I Is God w h o is i n fin i t e i n kn o w led g e capable of

.
, ,

a successio n of ideas
“
IV Was i t esse n t ial t o God t o hat e a p art of his
.

creat ures (t hat is if t here be such a t hin g as so me say

, ,

t here is) or did s in , t h at m ean produc t io n of t h e devil

p roduce such a disposit io n i n God a nd S O cause h i m t o , .

ac t t ow ards so m e of his creat ures i n a w ay co n t rar y

t o w h at he esse n t ially i n t e n ded ?

“V If t h e devil s desi g n i n i n t roduci n g s i n i n t o t h e
’
.
,

w orld w as t o rui n a part or t h e w h ol e

,
of m a n kin d
, , ,

w hich God orig i n ally desi g n e d for happi n ess an d t h e ,

d evil s desi g n should be effec t ed i n a n y w ise w ill i t n ot

’
,

t he n ce n e cessa r ily follo w t hat t h e d e vil has m a n ifes t ed

,

him self m ore po w erful i n e ff ect in g h is desi g n s t han w h a t ,

God h as i n e fie ct in g h is ? A n d if i n co n seque n ce of ,

t his God should beco m e a n e n e m y t o some t o w ho m he

,
398 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

w as o n ce a frie n d w ill i t n ot follo w t hat t h e devil

, , ,

by i n t roducin g s in in t o t h e w orld has produced a chan g e ,

of dis p osit ion in God t o w ard s so m e of h i s creat ures ,

w h ile t h e d e vil hi m self re m ai n s un chan g eably t h e sa me

i n d isposit io n t hat he w a s fro m t h e be g i n n i n g [ of his

exist e n ce a s a devil] ?
“
VI If it be a t rut h t h at t here is a part of m an kin d
.

for w ho m C h rist did n ot die can it be t h e dut y of t ha t ,

part t o b e lie ve t h at Jes u s is t heir t rue a n d full S aviour

A n d if t h ey w e r e t o believe i t t o be a t ru t h t hat Chris t ,

di d n ot die for t h e m c ou l d t h at belief m ake t he m happy

,

[ or save t h e m fro m e n dless w oe ] ?

“
VII If God s w ord s h all accom plish that w hich h e
.
’

pleas e s an d prosper in t hat w he ret o i t w as s e n t (Isaiah

,

lv 8
. a n d God pleases t hat all should obey a n d b e

lieve t h e t rut hs t h erei n co n t ain ed an d his w ord w as ,

se n t t o a ccomp lish t h a t p l e as u r e W hat m us t be t h e fi n a l ,

r es u lt ?
A U N I V E R S A L F RI E N D TO M AN K I N D .

S ome mechan i cs in M c All is t e r s t o w n (n ow Han over) ’

York Cou n t y Pen n b ecame in t erest ed in t hese ques

, ,

t io n s an d caused t hem t o b e t ran s l at ed in t o Ger m an

, ,

an d c ircu l a t ed i n t hat p l ace w here t hey a t t rac t ed so ,

much n o t ice as t o creat e a con t roversy i n a n o n ymous ,

l ett ers s ig n ed : “ A Fr i e n d t o S oun d Reason an d Reve

,

l at i o n “
,
A n I n ha bit an t of Han over
” “
Fri en ds t o t h e ,
”

Res t it u t i on The first an d las t s ign at ures are sai d t o

.
”

have b ee n used b y so m e o f t h e mechan ics an d t h e o t her ,

w as e m p l oyed by t h e Lu t heran c l erg yma n i n opposi t i o n ,

t o U n i versa li sm The l at t e r lost h i s t emper an d be

.
,

ca m e so abusive t hat t h e m echan ics refused t o co n t in ue

t he deba t e u n l ess he w ou l d con fi n e h i m sel f t o decen t
,

la n g uag e an d soun d reason The l et t e rs w ere a ft er .

w ards pu blished in pamph l e t form in t h e G erma n l an ,

 C HU RC H I N NEW HANO V E R .
3 99

gu ag e by t he Frien ds of t h e Rest i t u t i o n prefaced in

“
, , ,

En g li sh a n d German by t h e q ues t io n s w h i ch prompt ed

,

t he d i scussio n .

I n 1 7 93 t h e ,
Co n ve n t i on w as n ot as
at t en dan ce at the
l arg e as in 1 7 9 2 ; bu t t w o n e w churches w ere rece ived
in t o fell ow sh i p on e in Hart ford Cou n t y n ear Havre
, ,

de Grace M d an d on e la t e ly co n st it u t ed in Burlin g
,
“
.
,

t on Cou n t y N J n ear Jac obst ow n a n d k n o w n by t h e

"

.
, ,

n ame of N e w Han over O f t h e firs t w e have n o .

,

furt her in form a t io n The l att er w as a s m all organ iza

.

t io n th e l ea di n g spirit s in w h i ch w ere Joh n Brow n a n d

,

his w i f e A lice especially t h e latt er w h o w as a very

, ,

i n t ellige n t a n d zeal ous w om an th e daug h t er of Rev , .

John Co w ard a dist in g uished Bapt ist preacher O f t ha t

,

p art of N e w Jersey M r Bro w n w as a m a n of busin ess

. .
,

an d proba bl y of som e m ean s as he don at ed t o t h e ,

church a n acre of l an d for a m eet in g house an d a free -

burial g rou n d Alice Brow n w a s a lib eral con t rib ut or

-
.

t o w ards b uil din g t h e house of w orship a n d had alm os t ,

t h e e n t ire charg e of it s erec t ion I n 1 7 9 3 Rev A b e l .

,
.

Sarj e n t w as t h e pas t or of t h is church bu t he did n ot ,

rem a in lon g w it h t he m ; an d t hey seem n ever t o have

h a d a set t led m in is t er ag a in Em pson K irby w as an .

elder in t h e church a n d w a s t hereaft er t he ir c on ,

s t an t m esse n g er t o t h e Co n ven t i o n At on e t i me t h e y .

repor t ed t o t h e Co n ven t i o n

Thou g h w e are f e w w e en deavor t o keep u p our ,

m e et i n g s m i n dful of t h e bl e ssed p r o m ise of our L ord

, ,

w h o says t h at w h e re t w o or t h ree are m e t i n his n a m e

, ,

t h ere he w ill be i n t h e m ids t ; a n d w e do t hi n k t h at w e

fin d t h e pro m ise fulfilled at t i m es ; bu t w e w ish you t o
vi s i t us a s oft e n as an y of you can fin d it con ve n ien t .
 40 0 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

We have n ot had a Un iversalis t m i n ist er w t i h us for

al m ost a year .

An o t her year t hey say : We have had several j o in

us sin ce t h e las t Con ven t i o n a n d b elieve w e shou ld ,

have more if w e w ere favored w it h preach in g 1 .

”

The Bos t on church report ed i n creased prosperit y ,

sayin g “
Sin ce t h e assembl in g of yourse l ves t og e t her ,

a t t h e l as t a n n ual m ee t in
g w e have b een g rea t ly e n
,

l arg e d The Co n ven t ion respon ded

.

“
Ou r he art s w e r e g reat ly refreshed by t h e g ood n e w s
your l e t t e r broug ht us of t h e m ore g e n eral spread of t h e
,

g lorious g osp e l i n your p art s A n d w e h ave n o doubt .

you w ill be g lad w he n w e t ell you it is m ore so here ,

t ha n has bee n here t ofore I t is cert ai n t h at t rut h is

.

spreadi n g in various part s a n d t here are so m an y calls

,

for preachi n g t hat it is i m possible for t h e f e w pre achers

we h a e a o n g us t o supply t hem
v m ”
.

The church in Philade l ph ia h ad chan ged t he ir p l ace

O f m ee t i n
g an d w ere hol di n g servi ces in t h e An at o m i ca l
,

Ha ll Fi ft h s t ree t b e t w e e n Ches t n u t an d Wa ln u t st ree t s

, , .

Re v Hu gh Wh it e w h o w a s al so a school t eacher w a s
.
, ,

t heir mi n i s t er an d on e o f t heir represen t at i ves t o t his

,

sess i o n of th e Con ve n t i on N ot hin g more i s k n o w n of

.

h im t han t hat he d i ed l at er in t h e su m mer of ye ll ow ,

fever M aj or James M oore al so d ied w it h t h e fever

.
, , ,

t h e sam e season The church short ly aft er t h e meet

.
,

in g o f t h e Co n ve n t i o n purchased a l ot on Lom b ard

,

s t ree t ab ove Fourt h st ree t Th i s s t ree t w a s a t t hat

, .

t i me b e i n g b u il t up w i t h res i de n ces for m erchan t s a n d ,

ot her me n of a fflue n ce an d t h e expect at i o n w as t hat it

,

1 Se e A C e n t u r y of U n ive rsal is m , pp 1 8 9 1 9 9 .
-
.
 UNI T ARI AN UNI VERsALI s M . 40 1

oul d con t in ue t o b e t h e fashi on abl e s t ree t o f t h e c it y

w .

Here th e chu rch b eg an t o b uil d ; bu t t he appearan ce

a n d spread o f t h e yell o w fever operat ed w i t h o t her
,

causes t o w ea ken an d cri ppl e it an d t h e bu il din g w as

.
,

bu t par t ially fi n i shed for several years .

I n J u n e o f t h i s year Rev Ab e l Sarj en t i ssued .

t h e first n um b er o f The Free U n iversal M agazin e of ”

,

w hi ch w e S ha ll speak more fu lly in an ot her p lace It .

is men t i on ed here for t he purpose o f ca llin g at t en t i on

t o t h e f ac t t ha t a t t hat earl y da t e Un iversa li sm w as
, ,

he l d an d advocat ed on a Un it arian b as is The M ag a .

z in e pu blis hes w it h commen dat i on a l en g t hy Creed

, , ,

adop t ed b y some o f our chur ches an d pre sen t ed t o ,

t h e con s i derat i on o f ot h ers .

I ts fi rst art i cl e reads

We bel i eve t hat t h e re is on e God an d t hat t here is ,

n o n e o t her b u t he ; t h a t t here is b u t on e pe r so n i n t h e

Godh e ad an d t hat t h e ful n ess O f Godhead is i n cluded i n

,

t h is on e c h aract e r F A T H E R ; t hat God is a S piri t in fin it e

, , ,

et ern al an d u n chan geable I n his Bein g love w isdo m

,
.
, , ,

pow er holin ess just ice g oodn ess an d t rut h A Bein g

, , , , .

w h o act s in al l he does en t irely from his ow n E ssen ce

, , ,

i n depe n de n t of cause or m o t ive by h im seen i n an y

of t h e act i on s of creat ures t o excit e or move h i m
t hereu n t o ” 1 .

There are some myst i cal passages in t hese Art icl es

of Fai t h bu t Chris t i s c l earl y spoken o f as t h e S on of
,

God t h e fi rst an d gre at e s t in t elligen ce t hat w as ever

,

produced or b ro u g h t fort h by t h e in fi n ite l ove w i sdom

, , , ,

an d po w er o f t h e i n v is ibl e De it y
”
.

1 T h e C re e d, in f u ll , may be f ou n d in t h e Un ivers al ist Q u art e rl y ,

J y
a n u a r , 1 87 8 .

VOL . I . 26
40 2 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Prov isi on made in t hese Art i cles for th e es t ab

w as , ,

l ish m e n t of free rel igi ous i n q u ir in g soc ie t i es w h i ch ,

shou l d b e con duc t ed un der t h e dir ect i o n O f t h e

Church ; an d t h e same n umb er of th e M ag az in e c on
t ain s a series of

d An s w ered t h e O pe n i n g Of
“
Q ueries Proposed an at

t he Free Reli g ious E n quirin g S ociet y un der t h e D ir e c ,

t io n of t h e Free U n iversal Church of Chris t at N e w ,

Han over in Burli n g t o n Coun t y N J — w it h a f e w m ore

, ,
.

added
i — What is life 7 ‘

Q u e st on .

An s w e r — L ife is t hat cert ai n po w er order an d

.
, ,

co n scious n ess from w hen ce all act ion sen sat io n an d i n

, , ,

t e l l i g e n ce is derived ; an d t hat life is God a n d w as m ade ,

m an ifes t i n t h e fl esh of Jesus Christ .

— What i s deat h
Q .

A . Deat h is a n ext in ct io n of t h e e nj oy me n t of ; an d
com m u n i on w i t h life Deat h is n ot a cause or producer
,
.
,

of an effect ; bu t it is m ere ly an e ffect e n t irely e m pt y ,

a n d fruit less ; derived fro m a cause w hich of course , ,

m ust of n ecessi t y cease t o exist w he n t h e cause upon ,

w h ic h i t s exist e n ce depe n ds is re m oved .

— What is t h e cause upo n w hich t h e exist e n ce O f

Q .

deat h depe n ds 7 ‘

“
A — The cause upon w hich t h e exist e n ce of deat h
.

de pe n ds is a deviat io n fro m order w h ich is t r an s gr e s ,

sio n ; by t his m an w as i n volved in disorder a n d fell in t o

, ,

darkn ess ; a n d so t h e w hole n at ure of ma n su n k i n t o con

fusio n an d t hereby lost im m ort alit y w hich cou l d n ot be
, ,

e n joyed ou t of order ; so m an becam e subject ed t o ruin ,

a n d t o a ret ur n t o dus t a g ain , fro m w he n ce he w as

t ake n .

— What is t h e resurrect io n
Q .

A . The re surrect io n is a r e part aki n g of i mm ort al

-

i t y or t h e bei n g brou ght i n t o a r e co mm un io n w i t h

,
-
 Q UERI ES . 40 3

i mm ort al it y (w hi ch i s God) w hich n ever c an b e e n joyed

,

by a n y bu t i n t hat order w hich God at first ordain e d f or

t hat purpose because God can n o t violat e his ow n order ,

n or depart from i t t o es t ablish order ; God can n ot g o

ou t of his ow n order t o bri n g an y t hat h ave deviat ed

from i t back in t o orde r ag ain .

Q . Wh at is co n de mn at io n
A . Con dem n at io n is t h e sen t en ce of a v iolat ed l aw
(or order) in t h e con scien ce a gain st t h e violat or ; w hich
f orbids t h e vi olat or s peace an d rest ; w hich dist ress
’

can n ot be removed bu t by t h e violat or s O bt ain in g a ’

ri gh t eousn ess w h ich t h e sam e l aw violat e d w ill ap

prove of .

H ow are w e t o un derst an d t h e w ords forever

’
Q .
,
‘
fore ver an d ever an d eve rlast in g e t c
,
’
,
’
.

“
A . We can u n derst an d t h ese w ords n o ot her w ay
t h an t hat t hey are expre s si v e of un det erm i n ed periods ;
bec ause it is ev ide n t fro m ma n y places in Scri pt ure t hat
t hese w ords are expressive som et i mes of a lo n g er a n d , ,

so met im es Of a short e r durat ion of t ime (see Gen esis

,

xvii 8 ; E xodus xi i 1 4 1 7 N um bers x 8 ; 2 S am uel vii

. .
,
. .

1 6 ; E xodus xl 15 ; Jon ah ii 6 ; E xodus xxi

. There
. .

is bu t on e ru le g iven in S criptu re, w hereby w e may n u

de r st a n d or as cert ai n t h e m ean i n g of t hese expression s ,

or t h e durat io n of t ime e xpre ssed by t hem ; an d t hat ru le

is t h e follo w in g n amely by t h e n at ure of t h e object s un t o
, ,

w h ich t hose expressio n s are appli e d ; for i n s t a n ce i n ,

Jo n ah ii 6 t h e w ord f or e ver is applied t o t h e eart h

.
,

w i t h h e r bars b ei n g abo u t Jo n ah i n t h e p as t t e n se n ow

t h e n at ure of t his o bject un t o w hich t h e w ord f or e ver is

here applied w as such t h at w e kn o w from divi n e t est i ,

m o n y t hat it did n ot exist an y lo n g er t han t hre e days

,

a n d t hree n i g ht s ; t h e w or d f or e v er t herefore i n t his , ,

i n st an ce coul d be expressi v e of n o lo n g er durat ion t h an

,

t hree days an d t hree n i gh t s .

“
A g ai n in E xodus xxi 6 Here t h e objec t u n t o w hich
,
. .
40 4 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

the sa m e w ord is applie d i s t h e servit ude of t h e servan t

t o his t e m poral m as t er ; an d t h e n at ure of t his O bj e c t is
such w e do assuredly k n o w t hat it could n ot exist a n y
, ,

lo n g e r t han t h e s e rvan t s lifet i me The w ord forever ’

.
‘
,
’

t h e r efore i n t his i n st an ce could n ot be expressive O f an y

, ,

lo n g er durat io n t han t h e servan t s life t i me ’

.

“
A g ai n E xodus xl 1 5 (everlast in g priest hood)
,
. Here .

t h e O bject un t o w hich t h e w ord everlast i n g is applied ‘ ’

is n ot a priest hood t hat is m ade aft er t he po w er O f an

e n dless life (Heb vii bu t t o on e t h at is m ade aft e r
. .

t h e l aw of a carn al co mm an d m e n t an d w a s t o co n t i n ue ,

n o lo n g er t ha n t hrou g hout t h e ir g e n erat io n s The w ord .

everlast in g t herefore in t his i n s t an ce could n ot be

,
’
, ,

expressive of an y lo n g er durat io n t han t h e con t in uan ce

of t h e exist en ce of t hat priest hood .

Ag ai n G e n xvii 8 , Here t h e w ord everlas t in g is

. . .
‘ ’

applied t o t h e t ime of Israel s possessin g t h e lan d of ’

Can aan Therefore t h e w ord everlast i n g i n t his i n

.
,
‘
,
’

st an ce cou ld n ot be expressive of an y lo n g er durat io n

,

t han t h e t im e t hat t h e childre n of Israel w ere t o c on

t in u e t o possess t h e t e m poral lan d of Can aan ; as all
m ust g ran t t h at t h a t w a s t h e O bj ect un t o w hich t h e w ord
w as applied .

“
Fro m t h e re marks already m ade i t is t oo evide n t t o ,

be de n ied t hat t h e w ords forever an d e verlast in g ‘

,
’
,
’

etc . are t o be u n d e rst ood by t h e O bj ect s u n t o w hich t hey

,

are applied an d are n ever expressive O f a n y lo n g er dura

,

t io n t han t h e exis t e n ce of t hose object s ; so m e of w hich

are lo n g er an d so m e S hort er as has be e n sho w n A s
, , .

t o t h e w ords forever a n d ever t hey are allo w ed by

‘
,
’
,

alm os t all t o be relat ed t o t hose already m e n t io n ed an d

, ,

t he r efore are t o be u n ders t ood i n t h e like m a n n er .

“
Wh e n t hese expressio n s are applied t o t h e life of t h e
sai n t s t hey are expressive of e n dl ess d u rat ion because
, ,

t h e O bjec t un t o w hich i n t his case t h e w ords are a p p lied

, , ,

is of t hat n at ure t hat it must n ecessarily exis t w it ho ut

 Q U ERI ES . 40 5

en d ; he n ce e n dless li fe (Se e He b V I I
it i s called an . . .

B u t w he n t h e sa me w ords are appl ied t o t h e deat h

of t h e w icked t hey are expressive of a l imit ed an d t im e l y
,

durat ion ; because in t his case t hese w ords are a pplied

, ,

t o an objec t [ deat h ] w hich divin e t es t i mo n y assures us

can n o t e xist w ith out e n d or al w ays, bu t w ill be de ,

st roy e d an d t he refore w ill ce ase t o exi st S o says t h e

, , , .

A p ost le (1 Cor xv 26 a n d so sai t h t h e divi n e Reve

. .

l at ion (xxi An d t h e r e s h a ll be n o m or e d e a th
. .

“
I n t h e Word of God w e are i n for med of a n e n dless ,

life bu t n ot of an e n dless deat h By t h e s ame Word w e

,
.
,

are in form ed of a co min g period w hen t here shal l be n o

m ore deat h ; bu t n ot w hen t h ere shall be n o m ore life .

B u t as God is l if e an d is able t o t riu mph V ict oriously

,

over all t hat st an ds i n opposit ion t o h im so life w ill ,

t riu m ph g lor iously ove r d eat h t o t h e subduin g of it s ,

po w er an d brin g in g it perfect ly t o n aug ht

, .

“
When t h e w ords everlas t in g ’ an d ‘forever are ‘
, ,
’

a pplied t o t h e j oys an d t rium phs of t h e sai n t s t hey ,

are t o be un derst ood expressive of en dless durat ion be ,

caus e t h e o bj ect un t o w hich t hey are applied [n amely t h e ,

t riu m phs an d joys of t h e sain t s ] div i n e t est im on y assures ,

us w ill con t i n ue t o exist w orld w it hout e n d [ Isaiah

, , .

xlv 1 7 : B u t I sr a e l sh a l l be s a v e d i n t h e L ord w it h a n
.
,

e v e r l a st in g s a l v a t i on ; ye s h a ll n ot be a s h a me d, n or can

f ou n de d, ] B u t w he n t hose expressio n s
w or ld w i t hou t en d .

are applied t o t h e bl in d n ess sh am e an d m iseri e s of t h e , ,

w icked t hey are t o be u n ders t ood as expressive of a l i m

,

it e d durat ion an d of n o lo n g er d urat io n t han t h e exist

,

en ce O f t h e object s un t o w hi ch t hey are applied, w h ich ,

div in e t esti m on y ass u res us m ust soon er or lat er cease ,

t o exis t [ S e e Rev xxi 4 ; 1 Cor xv 28 : A n d t he r e

. . . . .

s ha l l more de a t h , n e it h er s or r ow , n or cr y i n g ; n ei t h er
be no

s ha l l t h e r e be a n y mor e p a i n , b u t God s h a l l b e AL L I N

AL L Isaiah xxv 7 , 8 : An d h e wi l l des tr oy i n t h is

. .

m ou n t a i n t h e f a ce of th e cove r i n g cas t over a l l p e op l e , and

40 6 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

'

t h e ve i l t h a t is sp re a d ove r a l l n a t i on s . He w i l l s w a l l ow
up de a t h i n vi ct or y , a n d th e L ord God w il l w ip e a w a y t e a rs

f r om ofi ]
’
a ll f a ce s, et c .

“
H e n ce fro m t h e Word w e are t au gh t t o believe t hat
, ,

t h e ri g h t eo u s shall n ever be ashamed w orld w i t hout ,

end ; bu t w e a r e n ot t hereby in fo rm ed t hat an y shall

be asham ed or blin d or w ret che d or m iserable w orld
, , , ,

w it hout e n d We also are by t h e Word in form ed t hat

.

t here is a period before us pro m ised w h e n t here shall be ,

n o m ore sorro w cryi n g n or pain — b , u t n ot w he n t her e , ,

shall be n o m ore j oy pleasure a n d happin ess bu t w e are,

w e ll a s sure d by t h e sacred records t hat t h e lat t e r shall ,

be con t in ued i n e n dless exis t en ce by t h e con t i n ua n ce of ,

t h e exist en ce of i t s cause n a m ely life an d order w it h h i m , , ,

t hat has t h e po w er of it ; w hile t h e exis t e n ce of t h e

form er shall be disco n t in ued by a t o t al dest ruct io n of t h e ,

exist e n ce of it s cause n am ely S in an d disorder w it h h i m

, , ,

t h at has t h e po w er of it ; so deat h shall be des t royed ou t

O f exis t e n ce w it h h im t h at has t h e po w er of deat h
, .

Ame n ”
.

E vi de n t l y t h i s w as
a peri od o f g reat freedom in t h e
,

in vest iga t i on an d express i on of O p in i on s in th e Un i ver

s e li s t ran ks n ot on ly w it hin t h e t errit ori al li m it s re pre
,

se n t ed in t h e Con ven t i o n bu t far b eyo n d ; an d a t t i mes ,

it t hreat en ed di v i s i o n an d a li en at i on amon g t h e be l iev

ers A f e w ext ract s from t h e p ag es of The Free U n i
.

versa l M ag azin e w ill sho w t h e ex t e n t an d charac t er of

,
”

t hese i n ves t ig a t i on s .

I n advocacy of t h e doct r in e of in t e n se fut ure p u n

ish m e n t Chri s t opher M arsha ll w h o furn i shed severa l
,

a rt i c l es f or t h e M ag az in e t hus w ro t e ,

“
is of such a horrid a n d t ormen t i n g n at ure t hat
Sin ,

t h ere shall be i n di g n at io n a n d w rat h t ribulat io n an d ,

an g uish upo n every soul of m an w hich doe t h evil bot h

, ,
 P
C HRI ST O HER M ARS HALL . 40 7

J ew Ge n t ile (Rom 11
an d an d t h at t o such a de
. .

g ree t hat m an y w ill n ot o n ly w is h t he y had n ever bee n

,

born n or se e n t h e li g h t of t h e s u n bu t w il l eve n g n aw
, ,
‘

t h e ir t o n g u e s w it h pai n an d curse t h e ir G od an d t heir

, ,

kin g an d look up w ards N evert h e less aft er t his dark

, .
,

a n d horrid n i g ht of Ai on i on t or m e n t s t hey w ill by , ,

t h e blood of t h e everlas t i n g Cov e n a n t be s e n t fort h ,

ou t of t hat p it w herein is n o w at er T h ey sh all h e a r .

t h e voice of t h e L or d reprovi n g t h e m as Job did a n d , ,

w i l l clo t he t he m selves w i t h as m an ifol d a n d g reat er h u

m il it y t han he (Job xlii 2 as t heir t orme n t s w ere

.
,
”
severer .

The au t hor Of t h e ab ove w as an avo w ed an d act ive

U n i versalis t a lt houg h n ever co n n ect ed w i t h a U n iver
,

s e li s t church or co n g regat i on He w as b orn a Q uaker

,
.
,

i n 1 7 0 9 a n d w as expe lled from t heir S ocie t y at t h e

,

comme n cemen t of t h e Revol ut i on for main t ain in g t h e ,

l a w fu ln ess of defe nsive w ar Havin g at t h is period .

accumu l at ed q u it e a fort u n e he re t ired from b usin ess , ,

an d g ave h im self w i t h g rea t ardor t o t h e suppor t of

, ,

t h e A meri can cause ; an d w as on fri en dly an d c on fi

“

de n t ia l t erms w it h man y of t h e l eadin g m e n i n t h e

Co n t in en t al Co n g ress a n d t h e n e w g overn m e n t of
,

Pe n n sy l van ia H i s at te n t i on w as prob ab ly direct ed

.

t o Un iv e rsa l is m b y t h e perusa l of Si e g v ol k s Ev e r l as t
’

in g Gospel w hich he g reat l y ad mired a n d ge n erously

”
, ,

dis t rib u t ed cop ies of it t o emin en t me n w h o e n j oyed h i s

frie n dship I n h i s diary for M ay 9 1 7 7 5 he t hus
. , ,

me n t io n s t h e resu l t of on e of t hese g ift s :

Christ o pher Gadsde n [m e mber of Co n gress from
S ou t h Caroli n a] cam e t o see m e an d di n ed w i t h m e ,
.

I n co n v ersat io n h e e xpressed t h e g reat sat isf ac t io n he

,

h a d d e rived i n readi n g so m e of t h e books h e h a d r e

40 8 UNI V ERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

c e i ve d fro m m e w he n he last w e n t h om e t o C aroli n a

,

from t his ci t y part icular ly Paul S i e g v ol k s book e n t it led

,
’
,

‘ The E verlast i n g Gos pel an d t hose t w o books en t it led ,

’

T h e World U n m asked or The P h ilosopher t h e Gr e at es t ,

C h eat reque st i n g t hat if it should p lease God t hat he

,
’

a n d I s h ould live t o see peace a n d har mo n y o n ce

m ore
rest ore d am o n g us in t hese part s I w oul d pro m o t e a ,

correct io n of The E verlast in g Gospel a n d have it w i t h

‘
,
’
,
’
t h e t w o o t her volu m es of t h e World U n m asked fairly
‘
,

an d n eat ly pri n t ed u n t o w hich he w ould subscribe

,

larg ely an d upo n co m plet i n g t he m I m i g ht draw on

, , ,

h i m t o t he am ou n t of sixt y g uin eas which he w ould ,

imm ediat ely pay This co n versat io n g ave m e great

.

pleasure ” .

N early a year l at er he makes t h i s e n t ry

March 1 8 1 7 7 6 Aft er din n er w e n t do w n t o S am uel

,
.

an d Jo h n A d am s lodg in g s ; n ot at hom e I left t h ere

’
.

w i t h t h e m aid t h e w orks O f Geor g e S t on ehouse n eat ly ,

boun d an d let t e red n am ely Un iversal Rest it ut io n , ,

‘
,
’

S cri pt ure Doct rin e U n iversal Rest it ut ion Furt h er De

’
,

fe n ded an d Christ s Te mpt at io n s Real Fact s e t c as a

,
’ ‘ ’
,
’
.
,
”
presen t .

Durin g M r an d M r s M urray s v i s it t o Ph il adel ph ia

. .
’

in t h e su mm er o f 1 7 90 t hey w ere for a w h il e t h e g ues t s

,

Of M r M arshall an d M r s M urray w r it es w it h g reat

.
, .

en t hus iasm of hi s library an d of hi s ma n uscri pt s w hich ,

she perused He d i ed in 1 7 9 7 hav in g e xecu t ed h i s

.
,

w ill a year b efore i n w h i ch he made an exp l ic it dec

,

l arat i on of h i s fa it h t ha t Chri st w ill i n t h e ag es t o ,

co m e p u t an e n d t o sin fin ish t ran sg ress i o n a n d br in g

,
‘

, ,

in everl ast in g rig h t eous n ess u n t o all lapsed b e in g s as ,

it st an ds recorded in t h e Scrip t ures .

 FUT U RE P UNI S HM ENT . 40 9

An o t her correspo n de n t of t h e M ag az in e Rev J , . .

Ba iley of Ke n t ucky t hus all udes t o severa l d iff ere n ces

, ,

of O p in io n an d a m on g t he m t o de n ial of fut ure pu n

ish m e n t

I a m sor ry t o hear t hat t here is an y likelihoo d of a

jar am o n g st t h e f e w w it n esses for God s un iversal love ’

at t his t i m e es pecially as t h ey are u n der t h e u n it ed

,

fro w n s of all ot h e r Chris t ian socie t ies ; an d t h e declara

t ive i n t erest O f C h ris t a n d his everlas t i n g g osp e l m uch
de p e n ds upo n t heir un it y .

Thoug h I co n fe ss t hat Calvi n is m as it relat es t o t h e

,

decre es of elect io n an d r e p robat io n appe ars t o m e t o be

,

replet e w it h blasp he m y in as m uch as it m akes t h e blesse d

,

a n d adorabl e God t h e au t hor of all w ickedn ess ; n ever

t h e l e ss w e ou gh t t o ex e rcise g reat t e n dern ess t o w ards

t hose bre t hre n w h o hold w i t h el e ct io n in t h e u n iversal
sy st em provided t hey kee p u p t h e idea of t h e fut ure dis
,

p e n sa t i on s O f Christ i n t h e dist ribut io n of re w ards a n d

,

pun ish m e n t s t ill t h e close of t h e m ediat ory O ffice of

,

C h ris t w he n God shall be All in Al l

, .

T h ose w h o hold t h e salvat io n of al l m e n exclusive of ,

t h e fu t ur e dispe n sat io n s of Christ i n t h e dist ribut io n of

re w ards a n d pu n ish m en t s (if t here be an y such ) up o n ,

t h e m os t charit a ble co n clusio n I hu m bly con ceive t hey

,

are n ot aw are h ow n ear t h ey are borderin g on g ross

deis m a n d an i mplicit if n ot a w ilful d en ial of t h e
, , ,

s ac re d S cri pt ures ; a n d h O p e t h e y w ill se e t hat t h a t part

of t h eir prin ciples is a mot h i n t h eir syst e m a n d w ill ,

beco m e a check t o t h e pro g ress of t h e t rut h i n asm uch as ,

it st an d s i n direct opposi t ion t o such a n u m ber of plai n

a n d u n equivocal t ext s t hat pro n oun ce fut ure pu n ish m e n t

upo n t hose w h o die im pe n it e n t w hich have as g ood a

,

ri g h t t o co mpose a part of ou r creed as t h e m os t g racious

pro m ises .

“
B u t I n eed n ot e n lar g e upo n t his subject I see you .
4 10 UNI V ERS A LI S M I N AM ERI CA .

have discovered t h e deform it y of Calvin is m an d am ,

h appy t hat you h ave e n t ered your prot est a g ai n st i t It .

is an error t h at I have lo n g sin ce co n t est ed i n t h e re g ular

Bapt ist an d Presby t erian societ ies a n d h ave oft e n de ,

c l ar e d my s e lf a n adversary t o i t bo t h i n p u b lic a n d pri

,

vat e ; a n d fro m repor t have g reat ly feared w hat you have

sai d i n yo u r lit t le book — t hat t here w ould be a divis
,
‘

i on i n t h e U n iversalis t S ocie t y on accoun t of it kn o w

i n g t h at w he n ever a U n iversalis t i m bibes Calvi n is m a n d ,

esp ecially if he den ie s a s t at e of re w ards an d pun ish

m en t s aft er deat h i t am oun t s fully t o A n t i n o m ian is m ”
, .

O f t h e w rit er
of t h e ab ove lit t le i s k n o w n excep t ,

w hat be commu n i cat ed t o t h e M ag az i n e Ju n e 1 6 1 7 9 3 , .

Writ in g fro m Lin co ln Cou n t y Ken t ucky Rush Bra n ch

, ,

M ee t in g house he sa id
”
-
,

It is n ow about n i n et ee n m on t hs sin ce w e ( William

Ble d soe an d m yself) w ere expelled fro m our form e r soci
e Se p arat e Bapt is t s) for t h e belief of t h e fi n al
ety
(t h
re s t orat io n of all t hi n g s t o a un io n w i t h a n d e n j oy m e n t
,

of God in C hrist Jesus ; a n d w e have had t o bear u p

,

un der a st orm of slan der prejudice i g n oran ce an d ill

, , ,

w ill . N ot w i t hst an di n g all t h is t h e Un iversal cause y e t

,

g ain s g roun d . We have four churches con st it ut ed in t his

coun t r y five ordain ed m i n ist ers a n d seve ral youn g g ift s
, ,
.

We h old con fe r e n ces t w ice a year by m e sse n g ers fro m

t h e chur ch e s . The n um ber of m e m bers n ow i n S ociet y
i n K e n t ucky is about t w o h u n dred w e hope all w alkin g ,

in love ; besi des m an y ot her C h rist ian s i n dif f ere n t soci

e t i e s w h o beli e ve i n t h e u n iversal love of God w h o have ,

n ot joi n ed w i t h us i n socie t y y e t for reaso n s best k n o w n

,

t o t h e m s e lves .

From st ill an o t her an d very d i ff eren t source w e de

rive ev ide n ce of th e spread o f U n i versali sm in Ken t ucky
 K ENT UCK Y UNI VERS ALI ST S . 41 1

at th i s peri od
Rev P e t er Cart w rig h t a M e t hodis t
. .
,

preacher makes several a ll us io n s t o it in h is Au t o

,
“

bi ography On pag e 40 he says .

Re vJam es 0 K elly left t h e M E Church in 1 7 92

. . . . .

He w as a popular an d po w erful p reacher an d dre w off ,

m an y preach e rs an d t housan ds of m e m bers w it h hi m .

He form e d w hat he called t h e Republican M e t hodis t

Church fl ourished for a f e w years a n d t he n divi s ion s
, ,

an d subdivisio n s en t ered am o n g his follo w ers S ome O f .

his pre ach e rs t urn e d Arian s som e U n iversalist s a n d , ,

so m e joi n ed t h e s o called N e w L i g ht s, an d so m e re t urn e d

-

”
t o t h e M E C h urch . . .

On pag e 28 he men t io n s t hat a Dr Beverl y All en

,
.
,

w h o had b ee n a t rave llin g preacher in t h e M e t hod i s t

E p i scopa l Church b ecame a U n iversalis t ; an d on pag e ,

2 9 he says t ha t in Lo g a n Coun t y in 1 7 9 3 t here w as

, , ,

a Bapt i st min i s t er an o l d man of s t ro n g m in d a n d

“
,

g ood very g ood n a t ura l a bil i t i es w h o havin g b ee n

, , , ,

broug h t up a rig id Cal vi n i st an d hav in g b ee n t augh t ,

t o preach t h e doc t r in e of par t i cul ar e l ect i on an d repro

bat ion a t l e n gt h h i s g ood sen se revo lt ed a t t h e horri d
,

idea an d havin g n o correct b ooks on t heo l o gy he

, ,

pl un g ed in t o t h e oppos it e ext reme n ame ly U n i versal , ,

Redemp t i o n .
”

F in ally on page 48 he speaks of a revival c omm e n c

, ,

i n g in 1 80 1 an d spreadi n g t hroug h a lm os t t he e n t ir e
,

in hab it ed part s of Ke n t ucky Te n n essee a n d t h e Caroli , ,

n as an d says t ha t as on e result of it Un iversalism , ,

w as a l mos t drive n fro m t h e l an d .

C H a N e w Y ork correspo n de n t of t h e M agaz in e

. .
, ,

of w ho m n o t h in g furt her i s k n o w n furn i shed an art i c l e ,

on a n t i Tr in i t aria n is m i n w h i ch he sa i d
-
,
41 2 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

is n ot at all surpr isin g t h at t h e doct ri n e of Un i ver

It
sal S alvat io n an d an t i Trin it arian is m should m eet w it h
-

so lit t le com parat ive success a n d be so coolly received

,
.

An d as for t h e doct rin e of t h e Trin it y I a m of ,

O pi n io n i t w as firs t bro a ched by so m e n e w fan gled soph -

i s t an d pro m ul g at ed by fallacious cav i llers t ill at last i t

, ,

s t ole in t o t h e creeds of es t abl i shed churches, w here it

has remai n ed so lo n g u n con t radict ed An d I believe .

t hat t here a r e v e ry f e w m e n of se n se b elon g i n g t o t hose

churches w hich profess t hese doct rin es bu t are con vin ced
of t he ir absur dit y, t h ou g h fr o m t heir peaceable disp osi
t ion an d diffide n ce , as before hin t ed, t hey do n ot O pen l y
oppose t he m ” .

The en t ire art i cl e i s emph at i ca ll y an d st ron gly U n i

v e rs ali s t an d i n a succeedi n
, g n um b er o f t h e M ag az in e
t here i s a report o f a S peech de li vered at a Deb at e i n
a i erary oc ie t y i
L t S n N e w York b y C H on t h e
“
, . .
,

q ues t ion Whe t her the doct rin e o f Un i versal Sa lva t i on

,

i s agreeabl e t o Scrip t ure or n ot i t akin g deci dedly an d

w i t h a bilit y t h e Un i versal i st S i de .

Drs S mit h a n d Y oun g are in t he list o f su b scrib ers

.

t o th e Free Un i veral M aga z in e an d it is n ot impr ob

,
”

abl e t hat t hey w ere mem bers o f t h e de bat in g soc iet y

w h i ch con s i dered U n iversali sm in N e w Y ork in 1 7 9 3 .

Th e edi t or o f t h e M ag az in e t ook grou n d ag ain s t t h e

doct r in e o f f u t ure pu n ishmen t The f oll ow in g q ueries
.

a n d an s w ers f rom h is
pe n w ere addressed t o M r an d .

M r s Bro w n
.

Q uery I Is it n ot t h e in w ard or ce l es t ial man , w h o

.

i n S cript ure i s calle d t h e n e w creat ur e

If a n y man b e in Christ he is a n e w creat ure ; t houg h
t h e out w ard man perish sai t h Paul, t h e in w ard m an
, .

(w hich I suppose t o be t h e n e w m an ) is re n e w ed day by

day S e e E ph iii 1 6 ; Roman s vi 2 2 ; 2 Cor iv 1 6
. . . . . . .
 Q UERI ES . 4 13

I t h i n k it
is said con cern in g t h e i n w ard or n e w m a n ,

t hat h e is creat e d aft er God i n ri g ht eous n ess an d t rue ,

h oli n ess S e e E ph ii 2 4 ; Colos iii 1 0

. . . . . .

“
Q ue ry II Is i t t h e old or out w ard ma n t ha t c om
.

m it s t h e sin s w e are g uilt y of or is it t h e n e w a n d in w ard ,

m an t h at is a sin n er
“
He t h at or W h oso is born of God (w hich m ust be
, ,

t h e n e w m a n ) sin n et h n ot or dot h n ot co mm i t S in , ; he
can n ot s i n because h e is born of God ( 1 John iii
, In .

t his t h e childr e n of God are m an ifest a n d t h e c h ildr e n ,

of t h e devil They w hich are t h e childre n of t h e fl e sh

.

are n ot t h e childre n of God S e e Ro m an s ix 8 . . .

The p ro m ise w as bu t t o t h e seed an d t h e ch ild ren of

t h e p r om is e on ly are cou n t ed for t h e seed S e e Ro m an s .

ix 8
. .

Q uery III Is i t t h e child of t h e fl esh t h e Ol d m a n

.
, ,

t hat rises fro m t h e child of God or t h e n e w man t hat ,

rises
“
Jesus said con cern in g t hose t hat rise fro m t h e dead
( speaki n g u n excep t io n ally) They a r e t h e childre n of
,
‘

God a n d are equal t o t h e an g els of God

,
S e e L uke xx .
’
.

36 . A n d Joh n says t hat t h e chil dre n of God do n ot

co m m it s i n S e e 1 John iii 9 10
. .
, .

T h e A post le sait h If a n y m a n be i n Christ h e is a

,
‘
,

n e w creat ure ; old t hi n g s are passed aw ay beh ol d all ,

t h in g s are becom e n e w A n d surely all t hat rise f r o m

’
.

t h e de ad m us t be n e w creat ures a n d m ust be i n Christ ; ,

for i n C h rist shall all be m ade alive

‘
.
’

“
I t is t h e n e w m a n a n d n ot t h e O l d t h at rises fro m
, ,

t h e dead a n d t h e n e w ma n n eve r co mm i t t ed s i n
,
H ow .

can t here b e a pu n ish m e n t for S in af t er t h e resurrect io n

“
Q ue ry I V If t o t hose w h o are raised from t h e d e ad
.

O l d t hi n g s are passed a w ay a n d all t hi n g s are beco m e ,

n ew ,
pray w hat si n s are t hose w h o rise fro m t h e dead
pun ishe d for If on ly t h e n e w man w h o is calle d t h e ,

child of G od rises fro m t h e dead, an d if t h e n e w man

,
4 14 UNI VERSALI SM IN A M ERI CA .

n ever s in n ed pray h ow can he be pun ished acc ordin g t o

,

h i s w orks S urely if his w orks w ere n ot s in ful t h e n

he can n ot deserve pun ishm en t Re ad er, j udge " be are r
.
,

a n s w er ” .

M r Sarj en t
. al so t ook groun d aga in st t h e doctr in e of
v icarious at on emen t an d i mpu t ed ri ghte ous n ess He .

said ,

From w he n ce h ave w e derived t h e idea of Chr i st s hav ’

i n g alre ady sat isfied t h e de m an ds of t h e l a w , or j ust ice ,

for all me n or t hat t h e person al rig ht eous n ess of Christ ,

short of it s bein g w rou g ht i n us an d in depe n de n t of our

,

part akin g t hereof is t hat w hich just ifies us

,
Pray w hat
did just ice dem an d of t h e creat ure N ot t hat on e m a n
sh ould b e ri ght eou s for all t h e rest an d t h e rest re main
,

u n ri g ht eous ; for t his coul d n ot have est ablished order i n

t h e creat io n ; bu t t hat al l should O bey an d b e holy before ,

G od . T h is is w hat t h e l a w required ; t his i s w hat t h e

co m man d called for ; an d t his is w hat just ice de m an ded ;
a n d surely t hat w hic h j us t ifies us is w hat j u st ice de

m e n ded, except t h e de m an d is chan g ed, w h i ch can n ot be .

“
True it is said t hat as by t h e di sobedi en ce of on e
,

m an m a n y w ere m ade si n n ers so by t h e o b , e d i e n ce of

on e shall m an y be m ade ri g ht eous M ark n oug ht is .

,

m ade ri gh t e ous alre ady bu t S h all be made so

,
M an kin d .

w a s n ever af fect ed by t h e S in of Ada m t o co n de m n at io n

i n a n y g reat er de g re e t ha n t hey w ere made part akers of

t hat si n ; so shall w e n ot be aff ect ed by t h e r i g h t eous n ess
of C hrist t o j u st ificat io n in a n y gr eat er de gree t han w e
are m ade part akers of t hat ri g ht eousn ess .

“
The l aw of God w a s a divin e rule or syst em of life
from e t ern it y es t ablished by hi m n ot fro m an expect a
, ,

t io n of an y advan t ag e arisin g t here by t o hi m self from

t h e creat ure ; bu t it bei n g a t ran scrip t of his m oral per
f e ct i on s an d expressive of his n at ure God w a s ple a sed
, ,

t o appoi n t it as t h e o n ly rule of l i fe w here in w e m i g ht

 NO I M PUT ED RI GHT EOU SNESS . 41 5

en joy co mm un io n w it h God a n d i mm ort alit y an d so be ,

t ruly ha pp y He n ce t h e creat ure s salvat io n an d h appi ’

.

n ess are t h e chief O bj e ct s w hich re n de r t h e creat ur e s

’

co n form it y t o t h e l aw a n d reco n ciliat ion t o God n e ce s

sary because God st an ds in n o n eed of a n yt hin g fro m
,

c reat ures Upo n t his does t h e creat ure s salvat io n a n d ’

.

happi n ess depen d a nd i n t h is does t h e creat ure s salvat ion

,
’

a n d hap pin e ss co n sis t ; t herefore i t is i n co n sis t e n t t o su p

pose t h at on e m an s ri g ht eous n ess s houl d be acce pt ed

’

i n place a n d i n s t ead of all t h e r e st a n d t hey acc e p t e d ,

(1 jus t ified t her e by S h ort O f t heir par t aki n g of t h at

,

ri g ht eousn ess or i n a n y g re at er de g ree t h an in propor

,

t ion t o t heir p a rt akin g t hereof .

Fro m t h ese O bserv at io n s I hum bly co n ceive t h at it is

just as im possible or i m p roper t o s ay t hat Chri st is hap
p i n e s s a n d life for us i n d e pe n de n t of our p art aki n g of
,

t hat life a n d hap pi n ess as t o say h e has sat i s fied t h e l a w

,

a n d jus t ice i n our st ead i n depe n d e n t or short O f our

, , ,

p art a ki n g of Go d s ri g ht eous n ess an d beco m i n g reco n ciled

’

t o God .

“
For us t o be just ified an d for t h e l aw a n d just ice t o
,

be sat isfi e d w it h us I co n ceive is for us t o be brou g ht

, ,

i n t o a n d con fir m ed in a just ified s t at e ; t hat is a st at e

, , ,

w h ich t h e d ivi n e l a w a n d just ice app roves of a n d w hich ,

st at e is at t ain able i n t his life B u t som e m e n m ay ask.

m e h ow . I an sw er by a derivat io n of t h at life d ivi n e

,

fro m J e s us t h e quick e n in g S pirit ; w h ich w ill n ever fail

,

t o be g ran t ed un t o every soul w h o r e ceives Jesu s Chris t

as h e is hel d fort h i n t h e g ospel : for t o a s m a n y a s r e ce i v e
‘

h i m, t o t h e m g i ve s h e p ow er t o be com e t h e s on s of God
’
.

“
By d e rivi n g a n e w a n d S piri t u al life fro m C h rist ,
who is called t h e B RE A D of life t h e soul becom e s quick ,

e n ed fro m a st at e of deat h i n t respasses a n d S in s ; is

raise d f ro m a t em porary life t o t h e e n joy me n t of an e n d
less life ( Heb vii a n d by t hi s t h e soul beco m es
. .

t ran sfo rm ed by t h e re n e w i n g of t h e m i n d, bei n g b e g ot t e n

416 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM E RI C A .

fro m above ; t h e n e w man t h e desce n dan t of t h e seco n d

,

Adam, becom es con s t i t ut e d i n t h e old an d t h e n e w an d

in w ard man b ein g n ot a ch ild of t h e fl esh bu t a child of
, ,

pro mi se is cou n t ed for on e of t h e seed t o w ho m t h e

,

prom ise w as mad e, bei n g by t h e S p irit of adopt i on , made

,

a ch il d of God a n d so an heir of God a n d a joi n t heir

, ,
-

w it h Chr ist ; an d t herefore shall be g lorified t og e th er

w i t h hi m This is t hat S pi r it ual J e w w hich is a J e w
. .

i n w ardly a n d w h o is ci rcum cised in heart ; an d t his is

,

t hat Israelit e i n w hose heart is w ri t t e n an d i n w hose ,

m in d is prin t ed t h e S p irit ual l a w of G od, a n d w hose

,

prai se i s n ot of m e n bein g hidde n (Psal m l xxxiii .

an d i n v i sible t o t h e w orld 1 Joh n iii bu t of God ;

( .

bein g fou n d approved in t h e eye of t h e l aw an d just ice ,

an d t her e fore is co mm e n ded of t h e L o r d (2 Cor x . .

This i n w ard or n e w m an dis t i n ct f ro m t h e out w ard

, ,

an d o l d man , is every w a y perfec t ly jus t ifiable i n t h e eye

of t he l aw an d j u st ice ; bein g p e rfec t ly co n for med t here

un t o an d deli g ht in g t herein co n t in u ally
, I del ig h t i n .
‘

th e l a w o f God af te r t h e in w a r d m a n Thi s is ju st ifica .

’

t io n t his i s reco n ciliat io n t o God ; a n d t hi s is t hat chi ld

of God t hat can n o t co m mit s i n Thi s is t h e t i me , an d .

n ot b efore , t hat l a w an d just ice is sat isfie d w i t h (or ap

proves of ) t hat soul ; an d t hi s is t h e t im e t hat t h e salva

t i on (or de li veran ce) of t h at soul is e ff ecte d ; for n ow ,

an d n ot before is t h e t i me t hat t h e so u l is b rou g ht t o

,

call on t h e n am e of t h e L ord ; an d w h os e ca l l et h on
h is n a m e (sait h t h e Prophet an d t h e Apost le) s ha l l
be de l i vered .
’

“
If our o be dien ce t o t h e l a w as in div iduals b e n ot , ,

n ecessary as above hin t ed i n order t o our j us t ificat ion

, ,

as i n dividual s h ow could our d isobedie n ce as i n di vidual s,

, ,

re n der us con de m n able I hu mbly crave a n an s w er ”

. .

So al so in an sw er t o a correspon de n t M r Sarj en t
, , .

w ro t e t h e fo ll o w in g on t h e Sat i sfac t i on o f J us t i ce
“
 REV . AB EL S ARJ ENT .
417

“
Just ice at first required obedie n ce fro m every in di
vidual of t h e hu m an race an d as jus t ice is un c han g eable ,

i n it s requisi t io n s n o t hi n g short of such obedie n ce c a n

,

possibly be sat isfact ory t o j u st ice M ere pun ish m e n t .

can n eve r be sat isfact ory t o pu r e jus t ic e bu t un iversal ,

obedie n ce I S because t h i s is w hat just ice require s a n d

as J e sus is e n g a g ed t o est ablish un ive rsal O b e d ie n ce by
reco n cilin g all t h in g s t o God i t i s co n sid ere d w i t h God ,

as al r eady don e i n hi m because he 1 5 n ot liabl e t o be de

,

feat e d in an y O f his un dert akin g s ; t herefore jus t ice in

”
t his se n se is s at isfied i n Jesus .

These v i ew s so s imil ar t o t hose avo w ed b y Cal eb

,

Ri ch an d aft er w ards by Hosea Ball ou foun d a zealous

, ,

expon e n t in Rev Ab e l S arj en t w h o probably w as ig n o

.
,

ran t Of t h e exis t e n ce of t h e ab ov e men t i on ed w ort h i es -

.

I t i s u n fort un at e t hat w e have n o kn o w l edg e of t h e s t eps

by w h i ch he w as l ed t o t hese co n clus i on s an d t hat w it h ,

t h e e n d of t h e firs t a n d o n l y volu m e of hi s mag azin e he

va n is hes fro m our s igh t I n 1 7 9 3 he res ided at N e w .

Han over N J supp ly in g t h e pu l pit Of t h e church in

,
.

t ha t p lace a n d al so preachin g a t S hi l oh an d C ape M ay

, ,

i n t h e sa m e S t a t e Before t h e year cl osed he had

.

m oved t o Ba l t i more w here he w a s keep in g a , b ook

s t ore at t h e head o f M arket St reet w he n ce he issued ,

h is prospect us for a secon d vol u m e of t h e mag az in e ,

t o comm e n ce as soo n as five hu n dred cop i es are su b

scrib ed for ; bu t as t h e first volu m e had bu t on e h u n
dred an d fort y e ig h t su b scrib ers i t i s pro bable t ha t
-
,

th e co n d it i o n s of commen c in g a seco n d w ere n eve r

complied w it h What b eca m e of h i m af ter M arch
.
,

1 7 94 w e ca n n ot ascert ain
,
U n t il rece n t l y t h e au t hor
.

has supposed h i m t o b e i den t i cal w it h t h e ed it or an d

pu bl isher of “ The Lamp o f Libert y a U n i versali st ,

V OL . I . 27
41 8 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

mag az in e i rregu larl y publi shed in C in c in n a t i i n 1 8 2 7 ;

bu t a let t er o f Rev J Kid w e ll w rit t en i n 1 84 7 de
. .
, ,

scrib es t h e ed it or of t hat magaz in e as b earin g t h e n ame

of Ab el M Serg en t w h o w as in earl y life an d un t il
.
, ,

1 802 a Bapt is t w he n he b ecame a b e liever in t h e

, ,

an n ih ila t i on o f th e w i cked an d aft er t hat org ani z ed a

,

sect ca l l ed th e Hal cyon s an d t hen a n o t her n e w sect

, ,

an d fi n all y b ecame a Un i versalist of t h e Orig e n cast

“ ”
.

Th i s man coul d n ot possibly have b een th e e dit or o f

The Free Un i versal M agaz in e .

O n th e 4t h o f Sep t em be r 1 7 93 a G en era l Con v e n

, ,

t ion of the Un iversa l Churche s an d S oci et ies in

M assachuse tt s Rhode Is lan d N e w Hampsh i re V er , ,

m on t Con n ec t i cu t an d N e w York w as he l d a t O xford

”
, , , ,

M ass N o re cord o f it s proceed in g s has b ee n preserve d

. .

I t is sued a c ircu lar l e t t er S ig n ed b y J oh n M urray , ,

moderat or an d George Richards c lerk ; an d w e have

, ,

n o m ea n s o f k n o w in
g w hat ot hers w ere in at t e n dan ce ,

except Rev M ichae l Coffi n w h o w as t hen preachin g in

.
,

V ermon t an d t h e adj ac en t port ion s o f N e w York The .

cir cul ar let t er is addressed

“
To t heir bre t hre n in t h e fai t h of t h e g ospel, reside n t
at Bost o n Gloucest er, Rehobo t h Bellin gham M ilford
, , , ,

Provide n ce At t leborou gh Graft on , Oxford, Charlt o n

, , ,

S ut t o n T h o mp so n , Ward Rich m o n d War w ick, O ran g e

, , , ,

Win ch est er Clare n don , Ap oll e t t [ Paw le t ] K in g sbu ry

, , ,

Whit e hall Gran ville, Ballst o w n [Ball st on ] M ilt on

, , ,

Port s m ou t h, Alst ead, L an g don Chest erfield Hard w ick , , ,

Pet ersha m Gran t ha m Warn er Deeri n g Woods t ock Pres

, , , , ,

t on Walli n g ford, e t c ; an d t o every church an d socie t y

, .

scat t ered abroa d in t h e S t at es of M as sachuse t t s Rhode ,

Islan d N e w Hampshire, Con n e ct icII t , Vermon t , a n d N e w

'

York ” .
 MR . M URRAY M O VES T O B OST ON .
41 9

We are n ot t o suppose t hat societ ies or churches ex

is te d in a ll t hese t hirt y S ix p laces ; an d it i s n ow im
-

poss ibl e t o desig n a t e w it h f e w except io n s w hich of

, ,

t he m had org an i zat io n s .

This Con ven t i o n un der sl ig ht l y diff ere n t n ames fro m

,

t ime t o t ime has n ot fa il ed t o hol d a n an n ua l sess i on

,

fro m 1 7 93 t o t h e prese n t t i m e I t i s t h e paren t of t h e

.

presen t Un iversa li st Ge n eral Con ve n t ion t here b ein g ,

”

n o g rou n d for t h e O p in io n w hich very e era l ly pre ail s

g n v

i n t h e de n om in a t io n t hat o u r prese n t en era l or a n iza

g g
t i o n gre w ou t of t h e Oxford A ssoci at ion of 1 7 85 I t is .

very cert ain t hat n o sess i o n of t hat b ody w a s held aft er

1 7 87 . The fac t t hat t he N e w En gla n d U n iversalis t s
soug ht advi ce if n ot aut horit y from t h e Philadelphia
, ,

Co n ven t io n of 1 7 9 2 w it h regard t o org a n iz in g a c on

v e n t i on for t h e four N e w En gl an d St at es is pre
“
,
”

su mp t iv e ev i den ce t ha t n o co n ve n t io n or associat ion

w a s t hen in ex i s t e n ce in t hat l ocali t y a n d may b e c on ,

side re d as co n c l us i ve proof t ha t t h e O xford Associa t i o n

of 1 7 8 5 had b ecome defu n ct .

I n O ct o b er 1 7 93 M r M urray m oved t o Bos t on

, , .
,

“
st ipu l at in g w it h t h e Gl ou ce st e rian s M rs M urray , .

says t hat he shou l d occas i on ally vis it t hem an d t hat

,
“
,

t hey shou l d b e a ll o w ed t o com m a n d his prese n ce upo n

every dist ress in g or import an t e xig en ce ; an d t h e dis

t a n ce b e in g n o more t ha n an easy ride of a f e w hours ,

t h e adj us t me n t w a s accom p li shed w it hou t much diffi

cul t y Ye t did t h e preacher con t in ue di ssat i sfied u n t il
.

t h e es t a bli sh m e n t of his su ccessor in t h e m ids t of h i s ,

l o n g l oved a n d early frien ds

-
.
”

Rev G eorg e Richards in a l e t t er w ritt en in 1 80 2

.
, ,

says t hat M r M urr ay h as con fessed s in ce he l eft Cape

.
420 UNI VERS A LI SM I N AM ERI C A .

An n , th at he has had reaso n s t o b e sorry for it 1 .

”

M r M u rray s in s t a ll at i on in Bos t o n t ook p lace on t h e

’
.

2 3d Of O c t ob er b e in g co n duct ed b y th e se n i or deaco n
‘
, ,

2
O liver W La e n . .

An i n cide n t occur red in t h e n ort heas t part of Pe n n

syl van ia in 1 7 9 3 w hich had much in f lue n ce i n pro
,

m ot in g t h e cause of Un iversa li sm i n t hat t he n n e w an d

ra pidly i mp rov in g sec t i on of t h e cou n t ry Rev N oah . .

M urray m e n t i on ed in a prev i ous chapt er had se tt l ed

, ,

i n t he Wyo m in g V a ll ey i n 1 7 8 5 a n d in 1 7 8 9 had b ee n ,

appoin t ed a j us t ice of t h e peace f or Luzer n e Cou n t y .

I n 1 7 9 1 he h a d m ade h i s home in A t he n s in t hat ,

coun t y a n d w as preachin g t here an d in t h e n eig hb orin g

,

t o w n of S heshe q u in t h e frie n ds o f U n iversalis m in ,

t hose t w o p l aces hav in g e ff ec t ed a m ore or less com

p l e t e org an izat ion I n S heshe q uin a sma ll soc ie t y O f

.

B ap t ist s had b ee n b roug ht t og et her b y t h e zeal ous

l ab ors Of Rev M oses Park w h o w as e m p l oyed durin g
.
,

t h e w e ek as a t eacher of a common school a n d a l so as ,

a t eacher o f m us i c w h il e on S u n days he preached t h e

,

g os pe l as h el d b y t h e Bap t i s t s M r P ark w as much . .

a larme d a t t h e success w hich att en ded M r M urray s .

’
.

l abors a n d havin g great con fiden ce in t h e t ru t h as hel d

,

by t h e B ap t i st s b eli eved t hat he coul d easily S il en ce

,

his h e re t ical n eig hb or I n t h i s con vi ct i o n he w as j oin ed .

by Jos e ph Kin n ey E sq a Bapt i st deaco n “ a g reat ,

.
, ,

reader an d a cl ose an d l ogi cal reaso n er i rre proacha bl e

'

i n h is i n t egr it y a n d a man O f m ark amo n g h i s t ow n s

,

A cha llen g e w a s t herefo re sen t t o M r M urray

”
me n . .

t o mee t t hese g en t leme n i n a disput e on U n i versa li sm

l
‘

U n ive rsal is t Q u art e rl y, u l J y ,1 8 7 2 , p 2 82

. .

2 S e e L if e of M u rra , e dit ion y of 1 8 7 0 ,

pp 3 6 1 3 6 3
.
- .
 REV . M OSES PARK .
42a

at the res iden ce of M r Kin n ey M r M u rray gran te d . . .

t hem a n imm ed ia t e oppor t u n i t y ; a n d a t su n se t on e ,

even in g in t h e summ er of 1 7 9 3 t hey sat do w n B ibles , ,

i n han d t o t h e con t es t
, M r Pa rk hav in g procured ,
.

t h e o n l y larg e B ible w it h a Co n corda n ce t h ere w as in

S u n r ise t h e n ex t morn i n g fou n d t hem
”
t h e cou n t ry .

st ill s it t i ng t here t h e chall en g ers ackn o w l edg in g t heir

,

defeat a n d rej o i c in g in t h e b eli ef of th e doct rin e of

,

un iversal salva t ion .

The lat e Co lo n el J oseph Kin g sb ury w rot e a bi o

g raph i ca l ske t ch of M r Park w hich w as p u bli s hed .
,

in The Heral d o f Gospel Tru t h a n d Wat chman of

Lib ert y at M o n t rose
,
P en n J an 1 6 1 83 3 ; it g ives
, ,
.
,

m an y fact s in regard t o h im w h ich w e here b riefly sum ,

m arize M oses Park w a s b orn in Pres t on Con n Au g

.
, ,
.

1 1 7 6 6 an d a t t e n years of ag e moved w it h h is fa t her

, ,
.

t o t h e Wyomin g Va ll ey from w hen ce t hey w ere com ,

e l l e d t o flee for t he ir li ves a t t h e t ime of t h e In d ian

p
massacre July 1 7 7 8 a n d ret urn ed t o Con n ect icut
, , ,
.

Here t h e l ad ava il ed h im self o f furt her educat i on al

adva n t ag es an d a t th e age o f seve n t een b e gan t o
,

t e ach schoo l in War w ick N Y Whil e t here be

'

,
. .

un it ed w it h t h e Bap t i s t church an d on ret urn in g ,

t o Pres t o n in 1 7 89 j o in ed by l ett er t h e Bapt i st

,

church in St o n in g t on Tw o years l at er he m oved t o .

-

S heshe q u in b earin g w it h him a cert ifica t e fro m t h e

,

ch urch t hat he had “ for so me t ime past been a

reg u lar me m b er of th e F irst Bap t i st church in S t o n in g
t on a n d s t ill so re m ain s
,
The church est ee m him t o .

ha ve a gift in preachin g t h e g ospel of Jesus C hri s t our

”
Lord .

O f t h e con t roversy w it h Rev M r M u rr ay an d t h e . .

,
42 2 '

U NI VERSALI S M m A M ERI CA .

su bse quen t career o f M r. Park h is bi og rapher t hus

,

w r it es

As it i s al most fort y years sin ce of t his t h e w rit er

m e m oir hear d t h e par ti culars of t his con t roversy, he c an
n ot st at e it in det ail ; n or does he reco llect t h e t e xt s of
'

S cript ure brou g ht forw ar d by t h e challe n g er i n defe n ce

of his cause, except on e a n d t his w as t h e fort y fourt h
,
-

verse of t h e ei g ht h chapt er of John : ‘Ye are of your

fat h er t h e devil, an d t h e lust s of your fat h er ye w ill do .
’

Th is w as broug ht for w ard w it h a vie w t o prove t hat t h e

w icked w ere t h e children of t h e d evil B u t M r M urray . .

c o m pe l led h i s oppon e n t t o ack n o w l edg e t h at t h e devil

w as n ot t h e fath er of a sin g le child of t h e h u m an fam ily ,

bu t t hat God w as t h e Fat her of us al l He al so proved .

t o t h e sat isfact io n of M r Park by t hi s sam e Joh n t h at

.
, ,

t hat w h i ch w as mean t by t his t ext w a s, t o b e dest royed

‘
For t hi s purpose w as t h e S on of G od m ade man i fest ,
t hat he mi g ht dest roy t h e w orks of t h e devil
’
There .

fore, if man kin d w ere n ot t h e w orkman sh ip of t h e devil ,

— n ot made by hi m, it w a s n ot man t hat w as t o b e de

str oyed bu t t h e pri n ciple of s i n at t ac h ed t o him, w hich
,

t h e dev il w as t h e fat her of an d w h i ch t h e S on of G od

,

c am e t o des t roy .

S uffice it t o say t hat all t h e str on g t ext s an d

, ,

al l t h e arg ume n t s brou g h t f or w a rd b y M r P ark w ere .

,

s w ept aw ay l ike t h i st l e d o w n before t h e w in d He ao

-
.

kn o w ledg ed h i mself beat ; an d n ot o n ly beat , bu t c on

vert ed t o Un iversali s m " His Bapt ist bret hren did n ot
possess t h e sam e mag n an im i t y On e of t he m had so .

m uch of t h e w orks of t h e devil about him, an d so i n i m i

cal w as he t o M r M urray i n con se qu e n ce of t hi s defeat
.
‘

of h is min i s t er, t hat he said If E squire M urray should

‘
,

fi n ally b e saved, an d g o t o h eave n h e d i d n ot w an t t o g o ,

t here h i ms e l f
’
. M r M urray replied : You ca n n ot help
.

yourself, Brot her S you have got t o g o t here Wh e n .

 REV . n osns PARK . 42 3

our S aviour has des t roye d t h e w orks of t h e devil w i t h ,

w hic h you are n ow co n n ec t ed you w ill be perf e ct ly w ill ,

i n g t o g o i n my co m p a n y ’
.

Ou r Bro t her Park imm ediat ely follo w in g t h e above

,

co n t roversy co m me n ced preachi n g Un iversalis m He

, .

w as t h e fir s t preacher of t his doct r i n e t ha t t h e w ri t er

of t hi s art icle ever heard an d t his w as on t h e sixt h day

of Jun e 1 7 9 4 I t w as n e w t o t h e w r it e r at t h e t ime
, . .

M oreover i t appeare d so m e w hat s t ra n g e t o on e w h o had

,

bee n bro u g h t up accordin g t o t h e st rict e st s e ct of t h e

Pre sby t erian s I t n evert hele ss ap peare d t o be a g lorious
.

doct rin e An d w hat m ade it app ear t h e m ore so w a s

.
,

t h e dis c ov e ry t h e w rit er soon m ade, t hat it w as a doct ri n e

eas i ly p roved .

M r Park w a s n ow forsaken by his Bap t ist frie n ds ;

.

a n d t o so hi g h a pi t ch w e re t heir prejudices exci t ed ,

t h at t hey refused t o g ive h i m t h e han d i n salut a t io n s .

They coul d n ot de n y t hat he w as a Chris t ian i n pract ice ,

a n d t her e fore t h ey co n sidered h i m t h e m ore dan g erous .

They sai d he w ould be sorry for de sert in g t h e m an d ,

w ould fi n ally co m e back t o t heir f ait h He re pli e d I t .

,
‘

w oul d b e co m in g back an d n ot g oi n g for w ard t o ret ur n

, ,

t o t he m
’
.

“M r
. Park con t in ued t o preach t h e g osp el i n t h is
place t ill t h e year 1 7 9 7 At t his t i m e m uch w as said
.
,

about N e w Co n n ect icut n ow O hio A n d M r Park

, . .
,

alt houg h of a sle n der co n st it ut io n ; st art e d for t h at

coun t ry in M ay of t h is year At t his t i m e h e h a d t w o .
,

childre n Wit h t hese an d his w ife be bid adie u t o his

.
, ,

co n n ect ion s a n d frien ds in t his quart er an d aft er a lon g ,

a n d fat i g ui n g jou rn e y arri v e d i n t h e coun t ry i n w hich

he had co n t e mpla t ed se t t lin g He m ade a s t an d n e ar .

t h e Cha g ri n River a n d t ook u p a l ot of lan d w hic h a t

, , ,

t his t im e w a s t w e n t y fiv e m iles fro m a n y i n h abi t an t s

,
-
.

For six m o n t hs aft er he arri v ed at t h is place he s a w n o ,

h u m an bei n g s (excep t his ow n fam ily ) , bu t t w o h u n t

42 4 UNI V ERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

ers w h o occasio n ally called at his h u t

,
The coun t ry ,
.

soo n aft e r t h is be g an t o be rapidly se t t le d ; an d in M ay ,

1 7 99 M r Park w a s ap p oi n t ed a Jus t ice of t h e Peace

,
. .

His com m i ssio n cam e fro m Art h u r S t Clair w h o at t his .

, ,

t i m e w a s G ove rn or of t h e t erri t ory n ort h w es t of t h e

,

River Ohio Previous t o t his ho w ever M r Park had

.
, ,
.

be e n att acke d by a vi ole n t fit of s ickn ess w h ic h h ap ,

pe n ed a t a t i m e w he n n o physici a n s w ere t o be had an d ,

n o n u r ses exce pt his w ife

, This sickn ess w i t h t h e
.
,

m i g h t y fores t h e had previously e n coun t ered n early ,

dest royed his co n s t it u t io n The un healt hin ess of t h e

.

cou n t ry a n d his fee ble sit uat io n i n duce d his frie n ds in

, ,

Pen n syl v an ia t o advise his re t urn t o S heshequi n Ao .

c or d i n g l y i n S ep t e m ber 1 80 1 he ret urn e d t o S hesh e

, , ,

quin , havi n g sold his farm a t Chagr in for a price

suffi cien t t o purchase a s m all farm i n t h is place This .

he short ly sold a g ai n for an ad v an ced price an d bou g ht

, ,

an ot her far m i n t h e t o w n of At he n s on t h e east side

, , ,

a n d adjoin i n g t h e S usquehan n a Ri ver about a mile ,

belo w t h e villag e of At he n s Havin g n ow a sit uat io n .

su ffi cie n t ly e li g ibl e t o support hi m s e lf an d fam ily he ,

co m m en ced preachin g ag ain t h e doct rin e of God s i m ’

part ial g race t o ma n ki n d Believin g him s e lf n ow am ply

.

"

provide d for i n a pecun iary se n se he w ould t ake n o

‘

, ,

co m pen sat io n f or dispe n sin g t h e g osp el Freely it cam e .

t o h i m an d freely he w ould ad m i n ist e r i t

, He c on .
’

t in n ed t hus labo r in g w eek days t o t h e ex t e n t of his

,

feeble co n st it ut io n an d S u n day s preachi n g u n t il 1 812

, , ,

w h e n he w as t ake n w i t h cram p co n vulsio n fit s w hich -

,

n e arly p u t an e n d t o his l i fe His Bapt ist frie n ds s t ill

.

kep t t h eir eyes upo n h i m ; an d belie v i n g n ow t hat he

'

w as soo n t o dep art t o t hat bourn e w h e n ce n o t raveller

‘

re t urn s believin g t h at h e could n ot recover t o co n t ra

dict t heir s t ories — t h e y circulat ed report s t hat he had
re n oun ced his belief in t h e doct rin e of Un iversal S alv a
t io n . He did recover ho w ever, an d w he n t old of t h e
,
 REV . n osns PARK .
42 5

re port s of his form er frien ds he sai d ‘t hey w ere t oo ,

fast ; he w a s y e t here t o an s w er f or hi m self He did .

’

an s w er for him self an d co n t in ued t o prea ch t h e gospel

,

of th e L ord Jesus un t il t h e fal l of 1 81 6 w hen he w a s ,

ag ai n t ake n sick w hich con fin ed hi m t o t h e house

, ,

m os t ly t hrou g h t h e w i n t er follo w i n g
, I n M arch, his .

seco n d s on w en t un de r t h e ice an d w as lost An d , .

alt hough h e bore t his a n d his ot her affl ict io n s Wit h

t h e g reat est m eekn ess an d resi g n at io n y e t al t og e t her it ,

w a s t oo m i g h t y for his brok e n c o n s t it ut io n an d he san k ,

u n der i t . He die d t h e 3 0 t h day of M ay 1 8 1 7 He g ot , .

up in t h e m orn i n g as usual an d had part ly dre sse d h im

,

self, w hen he spoke t o his w ife an d said he felt fain t .

These w e re t h e last w ords he ever spoke He sat him .

self dow n in a chair His w ife w as by his side in st an t ly

.
,

an d suppose d h im t o b e i n a fai n t i n g fit B u t his S pirit .

had left it s frail t en em e n t I t depart ed w it h out a si gh

.

or a g roan A n d t hus t erm in at ed t h e life of on e of t h e

.

best me n t h e w orld ever kn e w He w a s an affect io n at e

'

husb an d a ki n d an d in dul g e n t fat her Ben evole n t an d

,
.

charit able t o all a frie n d t o m an kin d a n d as m eek as

, ,

M oses of old .

“
M r Park i n his last sickn ess w as oft e n asked about
.
, ,

his fai t h i n t h e doct ri n e he h ad preache d He ever an .

s w e r e d, ‘M y fai t h g ro w s s t ro n g e r an d heaven bri g ht e n s ,

’
be fore m e as I draw n ear m y e n d He oft e n prayed .

t hat he m ig h t be per m it t ed t o depart w it hout seei n g t h e

an g uish of his family His prayers w ere an s w ered
. .

“
As a preac h er of t h e g ospel he w as seco n d t o f e w
t hat have ever b e e n a m o n g us His st y le w a s un st udied
.
,

plai n an d sim ple y e t flo w in g a n d so me w h at diff use El e

, ,
.

v at e d wi t h h is subject he w ould soar i n t o eloque n ce an d

,

sublimit y a n d n ever became d ry an d un i n t e re st i n g El o

,
.

que n t an d aff ect i o n at el y persuas i ve i n his m an n e r his ,

w ords w ere like t h e de w of Her mo n t h at desc e n ded

‘

upo n t h e m oun t ai n s of Z ion Thou g h he dw e lt w it h

.
’
42 6 UNI VERSALI SM m AM ERI C A .

joy on t h e t hem e of t h e g reat salvat io n h e preached it ,

t o i n spi r e i n o t h ers t h e sam e joyous hope a n d si n c e ri t y

of h o m ag e an d m ade it subservi e n t t o t h e in fo r m at io n
,

of m an kin d Possessed of t e n der sen sibilit y on fun eral

. ,

occasio n s his sy m pat het ic feeli n g s w ould som et im es sup

ress t h e po w er o f u tt era n ce ; b u t t his o n ly se e m ed t o
p
ive h i m access t o t h e aff lic t ed soul a n d i n vi t e i t s c on
g ,

fide n ce i n t h e Divi n e b e n i g n i t y an d co m passio n an d i n ,

t h e w ords of m ercy w hich he spake .

“
The i n fl ue n ce of his life w as equal t o t h e eloque n ce
of h i s preachi n g Plai n w it hout r u st ici ty hum ble w it h
.
,

ou t servilit y polit e w it hout eff ort an d frie n dly w it hout

, ,

af fec t at io n he u n i t ed di g n i t y w i t h con descen sio n

,
an d ,

fa miliarit y w it h a virt uous elevat io n of soul I n short .

,

he w a s t ruly a follo w er of t h e S aviour ; he lived t h e ‘

doct ri n es w hich h e t aug ht an d verified by a w ell ordere d

,
’ -

life i n his i n t ercourse w it h m e n t hat his fait h w orked ,

.

by love an d t hat his soul w a s purified by t h e u n de fil e d

,
‘

relig ion w hich he t aug ht I n co n clusio n w e can say

’
.
, ,

Blessed are t h e dead w h o die in t h e L ord .

’

The au t hor of t h e a b ove sket ch w as a n at i ve o f

E n fie l d C t w here he w as b orn M ay 9 1 7 7 4 Wh en
,
.
, ,
.

t w en t y y ears o f ag e he w e n t t o Sheshe q u in as a l a n d
surveyor an d soo n as h im self s t at es b ecam e a c on
, , ,

ver t fro m Presby t erian i sm t o U n iversalis m u n der t h e ,

preach in g o f M r Park He w as a man of st ri c t in t eg

. .

rit y an d of more t han ordin ary abili t i es as is ev ide n t

, ,

fro m t h e t rust s comm itt ed t o h i m as ag en t for t he l arge

l an ded est at es of Le Ray de Chaum on t Coun t de Chas ,

t e l l e u x t h e Ban k of N ort h A meri ca a n d o t her part i es

, ,

t o w ho m l an ds w ere gr an t ed b y t h e U n i t ed St at es in
paymen t of l oan s made durin g t h e Re vo l u t i on From .

his con versi on t ill hi s deat h he w a s an exemp l ary

memb er o f an d g en erous con t rib u t or t o th e Un i ver
, ,
 J OSE PH Y O UNG , M . D . 42 7

sal ist S oc ie t y in Sheshe qu in H i s desce n dan t s rej oi ce .

i n t h e sa m e b e l i ef ; on e of t hem a gran ddaug h t er , ,

t h e Rev M yra Kin g s b ury

. b e in g an ordain ed preacher ,

of our fai t h .

Joseph K i n n ey — a brief s t at e m e n t of w hose char

ac t e r is t ic s has a l ready b een q uo t ed from t h e H ist ory
“

”
of Bradford Coun t y Pe n n an d w h o as w e have seen , , , ,

w as associa te d w it h M r Park i n t h e d i s cuss i on w i t h .

M r M urray
. w a s a l so b or n in Con n ec t i cu t i n 1 7 5 5 , ,

b ein g a n a t ive of Pl a in fie l d He w as a sol dier i n t h e .

Revo l u t i o n an d se tt l ed a t Wyomin g in 1 7 7 8 w here he

, ,

t aug h t school I n 1 7 8 3 he moved t o Sheshe q ui n an d

.
,

b ecam e a farm er I n 1 7 90 he w a s appoin t ed a Jus t i ce

.

of t h e P eace for Luzern e Coun t y t hen a larg e t erri t ory ,

in w h ich w as in c l uded t h e prese n t Bradford Cou n t y .

His g ran ddaug ht er M rs Juli a H Sco tt w as emin en t

, . .
,

amon g us as a poet ess an d a devot ed Un iversal ist , .

We cl ose t he accoun t of t he year 1 7 9 3 w it h a brief

n ot i ce of a n em in en t l ayman in N e w Y ork — J oseph ,

You n g M D — w h o pu bli shed t hat year a sm a ll duo

, . .
,

dec im o vol ume e n t it led Ca l v in i sm an d U n iversal is m ,

“

Co n t ras t ed : in a Se ri es of Lett ers t o a Fri en d The .

”

au t hor w as b orn in 1 7 33 an d ,

“
acquire d his profession al educat io n u n der t h e t uit io n
of his elder brot her Dr Tho mas Youn g w h o died in ,
.
,

Philadelph ia i n t h e year 1 7 7 7 a n d of w ho m Dr Rush ,

.

speaks i n on e of his books on yello w fever Bo t h t h e .

brot hers w ere me n of t ale n t s an d e m i n en ce in t heir pro

f e s s ion
. At t h e co mm e n ce m e n t of t h e A merican revo
l u t i on a ry w a r Dr Joseph Youn g resi ded i n t h e ci t y of
.

Alban y at w hich place t h e g e n eral hospit al of t h e c on

,

t i n e n t al army w as es t ablish e d ; i n w hich de part m e n t

t h e Doct or served as chief prescribi n g physician from
428 UNI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

it s first est ablishme n t t o it s fi n al dissolut io n H e pre .

scribed for t h e first pat ien t broug ht in t o t h at h osp it al .

,

a n d also for t h e las t b u t on e at t h e close of t h e w a r .

H e aft erw ard s re m oved t o t h e cit y of N e w York w here ,

he co n t in ued his profession al pursuit s a n d acquired a n ,

ext en sive pract ice t ill t h e year 1 7 96 , w he n he ret ired

,

fro m busin ess — or perhaps more pr operly speakin g,

, ,

w he n he ceased t o rec e ive co mpe n sat io n for h i s pro

f e ss i on al s e rvices He w as blesse d w it h a vi g orous i n de

.
,

pen d e n t and e n t erprisi n g m i n d ; his professio n al t ale n t s

w ere of t h e first orde r ; his acquire m e n t s e x t e n sive ; his

in t e g rit y u n suspect ed ; h i s v e racit y un doub t ed ; his hon or

w it hout a s p o t his m oral charact er blam eless ; in short ,

so far as fam e spread his reput at io n be w as est ee m ed ,

a n d respect ed as a n i n t elli g e n t a be n evole n t a vi rt uous

, ,

a n d g ood m an He die d w it hout disease an d w it hout

. .

pain on t h e 1 8t h day of April 1 81 4 at t h e a g e of eig hty

, , ,

t w o years ” 1.

Dr You n g w as t h e t eacher an d pat ro n of Dr W illi am

. .

Pitt S mit h th e au thor of t h e b ook in defen ce of U n i

,

v e rsal is m pu b l i shed i n 1 7 87 an d n ot i ced in t h e chap t er

, ,

t rea t i n g of t hat da t e , .

1 Whit t e more s M ode rn

’
History of Uni versalism, 1 83 0 , pp 3 80 , 3 81
. .
 C HAP T E R VI .

1 7 94 — 1 7 9 7 .

RE V . E L H A N AN T F E G
WI N C H E S T E R S — A G AT
’
RE U RN RO M NLAND . RE
D P
OO R O H R P EN To o T P IM A . R E LI E S T H O M AS
’
AI N E S
“
G E or EA

T N W E G V T S PP T W
”
SON .
—
C HE E 1 7 94 N LA ND ON EN I ON IN . HI IE O N

S EN D SC T
’
— T C A V T EC H I SM PT P . P HE ON EN I O N AD O ED T HE H I L AD E L H I A
P TF LA A T O RM F T CF F R C G V
I C LES or AI H, AND O RM OF H UR C H O E RN

M ENT— R .M C FF L D E RS J Y G T I C HAE L O IN AND OAR O UN , SE N O UT As

M U V
I S S I O N A RI E S . D C T Y N Y —I NI E R S AL I S M IN UC H E S S O UN ,
. . H
P P
RO M O T ’ ‘
I U R H RD I N AB R J P S
I ON OF EV . OSE A AL L O U . EV . OSE H TE

P HENS H B K T G T W K P
. rs OO A W T ,
“
HE REA OR SHO .
”
ES E RN

C V T ON S
EN C ION. EG T M H AR O N , R O NN .
,
AND REM O N , AS S . EV .

J B
A M ES GG T P RI P SC . R J PH
HE H I LAD EL HIA H U RC H . EV . O SE

P T Y LL D
RI E S L U
,
T . P .
,
P AND — S P T HE NI A RI A N S O F H I LAD E L H I A . HI

P T W
IE O G P N W —R P T
NS EN D S
'
P P OS EL E S .
"
E RI N OF ETI T I E RRE ON

D V IG I NE T N W E G
OO D NESS C V T .
"
17 9 5 HE E N LA N D ON EN I ON IN .

T P HE P C V T
H I LA D E L 17 95 R P T
HI A C ON EN I ON IN . E OR S O F H U RC H E S .
M W TR . P P
I NC HES P N w Y
ER I N — H I LA D E L H I A .
-
R E A C H-E s I N E oRK u v

R H EV B . V T U T
OS EA U V
AL L O U A D E Y O CA ES NI A RI AN NI E RS A L I S M . A RL

U T NI S T
A R I AN T P Y o OCIE U T IES . IM ID O LI C r T HE NI A R I AN S .

G WT RO U T H V W OF GU V NI T T
A RI A N N W IE S AM ON NI E RS A LI S S . HE E

E G N C V T
L A ND 1 7 96 ONR Z B EN ST T ION D IN . EV . E U LO N RE E E R. IF

OP
FE RE N C E S O F T P P C V T
I NI O N . 1 7 96 HE H I LA D E L H I A ON EN ION OF .

R T EV J. H G P
HO M A S L V G ONE S C P T . I H RI C E O F I I N . OM E N SA I ON O F

P DR R
R E A C H E RS M W
. T P . G— M US H ON R . I NCHES ER S
’
RE A C H I N . R .

W T N WY
I N C HES K G ER I N H C E— P OR .
-
OE S TO A h T FO RD , O NN. RE AC H E S

T U V
H E RE .T S TY N W Y K R E WNI E RS A L I S OC I E IN E OR . EV . D A RD
M T I D
C H E LL P T Y P . P R .H U V RI E S L IN H I L AD E L H I A . IS NI E RS A L I S M .

— R N T EV ST . G W K G T U VA H AN M RO N
’
S OR A AI NS NI E RS AL I S M . R .

W T L T S — H S K D T — T
’
I N C H ES ER S AS E RM O N . IS IC N E S S AN D EA H . HE

N W E G E C V T N 1 7 97
LAN D M M R Y P B
ON EN I ON I N . R. U RA U LI S H E S A

P P T
AM U V
HL E V ON T I R —P B
NI E RS A L I S M I N DI C A ED .
"
T Is E U LI S H E D

IN R N Y 1 7 99 — EX T
O M E, . T F .
, IN P P T I . RA C S RO M T HE AM H LE . TS

F R
A V O RA RL E PT BY E CEB T C GY I ON SO M E OF T HE OS ON LE R M EN .

S E C RM U V B T NI D T
E RS ALI S M R D J IN OS ON . EA H O F‘ EV. R . OH N

C K M M RA Y
LAR . T T R. H UR
’
S ES IM A E OF IM .

A RLY in 1 7 9 4 W in chest er ret urn ed ,

Rev . El ha n a n
from E n glan d Vi s it in g h i s pare n t s in Brooklin e .
,

M ass he preached severa l times in t ha t t o w n supp lied

.
, ,

M r M urray s pul p it in Bos t o n Oft en a n d al so preached

’
.
,
430 UNI VERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

in Roxb ury Hu ll O xford S out h B r im fie l d Charl t o n

, , , , ,

Graft on M il ford Cam bridg e N e w t o n H in g ham Dud

, , , , ,

l ey West on M on son War w i ck A t hol Dan a an d man y

, , , , , ,

l ocalit ies in West ern M assachuset t s ; Win dham C an ,

t e rbu ry N or w i ch a n d S cot l an d Con n ec t i cu t

,
Cro w ds ,
.

flocked t o hear h i m an d his lab ors w ere as successfu l

,

as t hey w ere u n w earied I n a le tt er t o h is b ro t her he .

sai d
ver s a w t h e coun t ry S O O pe n t o m e as it is n ow
I ne .

I p reached t w e n t y five serm o n s in t h e m o n t h of S ep t em

-

ber w hich co n siderin g my st at e O f w eakn ess is as m uch

, , ,

as could be e xpect ed If I had t h e h ealt h an d s t re n g t h

.

n ow t hat I h a d t w e n t y four years ag o w he n I firs t b e g an

-
,

t o preach I could labor t o far m ore advan t a g e a n d be t t er

,

purpose t han ever I did B u t I bless God for t h e success .

I have had in w in n in g souls t o Christ an d I h op e t o

'

obt ain at last t h e appr obat ion of my Jud g e a n d t he n all

'

,
”
w ill be w ell .

Lat er in t h e year he ,
w ro t e t o a frien d in Lon don
“
I h ave t h e g reat est door ope n t hat I ever saw in so ,

m u c h t hat I a m surprised at t h e alt erat io n S in ce I w as here

last I have preached i n a great man y meet in g hou ses of
.
-

di ff ere n t de n o m in at io n s a n d t o g reat n u mbers of people , ,

as O f t en as ei ght or n in e t im es a w e e k an d w i t h g reat er ,
”
accep a ce ha ever I did
t n t n .

I n t h e m i ds t
of all t hese publi c l abors h e fou n d t ime
'

t o w rit e a n d pu bli sh A Defe n ce of D iv in e Revel at io n ,

i n t e n Lett ers t o Thomas Pa in e ; b e in g an An s w er t o h i s

firs t part of The Age Of Reaso n ‘
Th i s vo l ume o f .
’

1 1 3 pag es oc t avo w as a successfu l a tt emp t t o o ff se t

, ,

M r Pa in e s att emp t t o S ho w t h e fa llacy o f t h e B ibl e

’
.

from t h e B ibl e it sel f by m ak i n g m an ifest it s t ru t h ,

 PROGRESS .
431

from t h e ev i de n ce aff orded in t h e B ible . A compe t en t

crit i c has said :
The st yle a n d S pirit of t h e w ork are e xcellen t The .

aut hor has m e t M r P s fiippan t a n d profan e w it w it h . .

’

pract ical g ood se n se his bold an d un proved assert ion s ,

w i t h solid arg u m e n t his l ow scurrilit y w i t h m an ly m od,

e s t y a n d his e m p t y bo mbas t w it h t h e w ords of t rut h an d

,
” 1
sobern ess .

At t h e sessi o n O f t h e N e w E ngl an d Con ven t i on at

Oxford in Sep t emb er 1 7 9 4 M r Wi n chest er w as pres
, , , .

e n t a n d pres i ded as modera t or Rev Joa b You n

,
g b e in g , .

cl erk The cir cular let t er i s t h e on ly docu m e n t ext an t

.

w it h referen ce t o t h is sessi o n I t omit s Al s t ead an d .

Bal l st o n from t h e li st of pl aces m e n t i on ed t h e pre

vi o n s year a n d adds t h e foll o w in g : Scit u at e M arl o w
, , ,

Wes t morelan d Croyden Corn ish En fie l d Can aan

, , , , ,

S prin g fie l d B oscaw en H opk in gt on H e n ik e r Ware

, , , , ,

H ill s b orough Cam p b ell s Gore Charlest o w n C lare m on t

,
-
, , ,

Hart l an d P omfre t Bridg e w a t er Barn ard Readin g Cav

, , , , ,

e n dish Rock in g ha m Ches t er An dover Derby To w n s

, , , , ,

hen d Wards borou gh N ew fan e Pu t n ey M idd l e t on

, , , , ,

Durha m VVOOdst ock St urbri dg e B rook fie l d N e w Lon

, , , ,

don , N orw i ch S t o n in g t o n I n all t hir t y eig h t n e w

,
.
-

places s in ce t h e precedin g S ept ember Rev M r M u r . . .

ray S in ce h i s removal t o Bos t o n had i t in era t ed ex t en

, ,

s iv e l y in M assachuse t t s Rhode Is l a n d an d Con n ect i cu t ; , ,

a n d Rev Hosea Ball ou w as. t rave ll in g a lm os t in cessan t ly

in N e w Ha m psh ire M assachuse t t s an d Co n n ec t i cut 2

”
.
, ,

Of M r W in ches t er s lab ors w e have a lready S poken

’
. ,

an d i t i s pro ba bl e t ha t all t h e preachers of ou r f a it h at

1 Re v E M . . .
’
S t on e s B i og r aph y Of Win ch e st e r , p 217
. .

a Wh it t e mor e ’
s L if e of B al l ou ,
Vo l i p 10 2
. . . .
43 2 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t ha t t i m e occup i ed more or l ess ext en s ive m iss ion ary

fields as it i s cert ain t hat t heir la bors w ere h ig hl y
,

g ra t ify in g .

An a b s t rac t of t h e proceedin g s of t h e Con ve n t i on w as

i n corporat ed in t h e circu lar l et t er The it ems excep t
.
,

t hose w hich re la t ed t o rou t in e b us in ess w ere as fol ,

fo l lo w s
Chose a comm it t ee t o co mpose a S hort piece sim pli ,

f y in g a sys t e m O f reli g io n adap t ed t o t h e capacit y of

childre n t o i n st ruct t he m i n t h e first ru dime n t s of t h e
,

Gospel of Christ ” .

Who t h e mem b ers o f t his comm it t ee w ere does n ot

appear n or i s t here an y record of t heir m ak in g report
,

of t heir doin g s A cat ech i s m w as i ssued t ha t year

.
,

ho w ever b y S h ipp ie Tow n se n d a promin e n t me m b er of

, ,

t h e church in Bos t o n w .e i
He ro t t he says ,
“
hav in g ,

bee n re ques t ed b y so m e w ort hy frie n ds t o en deavor t o

p u t in t o t he ir ha n ds so m e t hin g in t h i s w ay as an ass i s t
a n t in in st ruct in g t he i r ch il dre n P oss ibl y t h i s re quest
”
.

m ay refer t o t h e vo t e of t h e Co n ve n t i on The cat echis m

.

presen t s t h e Rellya n t heory O f U n iversal i sm .

An o t her it em of b us in ess w as t h is
“
A dop t ed t h e Philadelphia plat form of art icles O f fait h
a n d for m of church g over n m e n t an d reco mm e n ded t hat
,

t h e sam e be observed by t h e churches an d socie t ies form

i n g t his Co n ve n t io n .

S o far as recommen dat i on cou l d e ff ect it t h i s act ion of ,

t h e Con ven t i o n b roug h t al l t h e U n i versa li s t s Of t h e l a n d

i n t o harmon y O f be l ief i n regard t o t h e g re at esse n t ia l s
of doct rin e an d w as an em phat i c e n dorsemen t o f org a n
,

i z at ion a n d dis c i plin e .

 ORDI NAT I ON or REV . HOSEA B ALLOU . 433

The last recorded it em of b usin ess relat ed to m i ss ion

ary w ork
C h ose ichael Co ffin an d Joab Youn g m is
E lders M
si on a r i e s t o g o for t h i n a circuit ous m an n er an d preach
,

t h e everlas t in g g o spe l t o t h e i n habit an t s of t h e abov e

m e n t io n ed S t at es f or t h e S p ace of on e year ” .

Wha t places w ere v i s it ed i n co n sequen ce of t his vo t e ,

w e do n ot k n o w A w r it er in t h e Chr i st ia n A m b assa
.

dor Fe b 1 1 1 8 60 gives an accoun t Of earl y U n iversal

, .
, ,

is t preachi n g i n D u t chess Cou n t y N Y men t ion in g , . .

,

several fa milies in A men ia w h o w ere t he n fr ien dly t o

t h e doc t r in e a n d sayi n g : ,

These people w ere visit ed by a U n iversalist clergy

ma n w hose n am e is n ot n ow re m e m bered bu t w h o
, ,

preache d i n t h e house of S a muel Sw ift as early as

17

Poss ibly t h i s may have b ee n on e Of t h e resul t s o f t h e

Co n ven t i on s m iss i on ary appoin t men t
’
.

A sin g ularl y impress ive i n c ide n t a t t h i s sess ion w a s

t h e un expec t ed an d i mpromp t u ord in at i on of Rev .

Hosea Ball ou w h o had for t h e past t hree years w ho lly

,

g ive n h i msel f t o t h e w ork o f t h e m in i s t ry al t houg h n ot ,

set t l ed as past or over an y socie t y .

At of t h e public services of t h e Co n ven t ion

on e

t his year probably t h e last service

,
Wi n chest er ,

preached He w a s a man of much w armt h O f feelin g

.

a n d g reat re ad i n ess of ut t eran ce Youn g M r Ballou w a s . .

i n t h e pulpi t w i t h h im an d as M r Wi n chest er dre w

,
.

t o w ards t h e close of his sermo n his re m arks be g an t o ,

have a cl ear re fere n ce t o t h e service of an ordin at io n .

especially t o t h e d e livery of t h e S cript ure s t o t h e can di

dat e He t ook u p t h e Bible an d pres sin g i t ag ai n st t h e
.
,

VO L . I . 28
434 UNI V ERS ALI SM IN A ME RI CA .

b reast Of t h e youn g man he s ai d ‘Brot her Ballou I

, , ,

press t o your heart t e w itt e Jehovah

h r n "’
The e ffect
upo n t h e co n gre g at ion w as sudde n a n d po w erful Aft er .

holdin g t h e sacred V olu m e i n t h is man n er for a m o m en t ,

he spoke t o E lder You n g in an i m perat ive bu t affect io n

o e sayi g Brot her Youn g ch ar g e h i m w hich t h e
‘
at e t n ,
n , ,

e lder proceede d t o do The delivery Of t h e S cri pt ures

.

a n d charg e w ere t he n re g ar ded as di s t in ct se rvi ces We .

have frequen t ly hear d M r Ballou say t ha t he di d n ot.

kn ow h e w as t o receive ordi n at ion u n t il M r Win chest er .

comm en ced t h e remarks w hi ch w e r e pecul i ar t o such a

se rvice ” 1 .

The Ph iladel ph i a C on ven t i on hel d its sess i on for 1 7 94

in O ct ob er w h i ch proved an u n fort un at e chan g e from
,

M ay as t here w as much s i ck n ess at t ha t t i me in th e

,

c it y an d man y a t a dis t an ce w ere a fra i d t o at t en d

,
.

Fou r preachers w ere prese n t an d seven chu rches w ere ,

represen t ed by messen g ers O n e n e w preacher Re v

.
, .

J oseph St ephen s past or of t h e church at Shil oh N J

, ,
.

w as in a tt e n dan ce M r S t ephen s came t o N e w J ersey

. .

in 1 7 89 from C as w ell Coun t y N C ; an d f rom t h e , . .

firs t o f Jan u ary in t hat year un t il April 3 1 7 93 w as , ,

past or of t h e Bapt ist church a t Upper Fr eehol d On .

t h e l as t n amed dat e he w a s g ran te d a l e tte r o f re com

-

men dat ion an d d ismiss i on J u ly 2 2 th e same year t h e

”
.
, ,

church at Upper Freehol d suspe n ded h i m from Com

mu n i o n on accusat i o n s aga in st h i m pri or t o t he con v e n
t i o n Of t h e ch u rch ; a n d rece i v in g a l et te r from h i m ,

w hen me t i n w h i ch he dec l ares h i s se n t i me n t s i n favor

,

Of u n i versal sal vat i o n t h e suspe n s i on w as t o re main

,

in force u n t il he g ives sat isfact i o n ; an d a com mi t

1 Whitte more s Lif e ’

of Re v HOse a B
. all ou , vol . i p 10 6
. . .
 REV . JOSEP H ST E HENS P . 435

t ee t o w a i t upo n M r St ephen s t o admon i sh h i m a n d '

c it e hi m t o at t e n d u po n t h e church at our n ext meet

in g Of b us in ess w as dul y appoi n te d H ow l o n g he
”
.
,

re m ai n ed at Sh il oh or con t in ued t o preach as a U n i,

v e rs a l is t w e have n ot b een ab l e t o l earn

,
M an y years .

aft er t h e c l ose of his pas t orat e at Upper Freehol d he

t aug h t schoo l in t ha t n eig h b orhood He d ied a t P hila .

de l ph ia M ay 2 1 84 7 in t h e eight y six t h year of his

, , ,
-

ag e .

I n 1 83 7 M pub l is hed a b ook design ed t o

r . St ephen s
S ho w t h e reader h ow to O bt ain w ea l t h an d b e happy l .

I n t h e c l os in g part o f t h e w ork havin g spoken of t he ,

g ospel as un searchabl e ri ches he adds ,

“
The g reat o bj ect of t h e S aviour upo n his e n t erin g on
t h e g ran d w ork of our rede m pt ion w as t o bruise t h e
head of t h e serpe n t (see G e n i ii The bruise re . .

ferred t o m ust b e co n sidere d m ort al, from w h i ch h e n ever

w as t o r ecover B u t prior t o his disso lut ion he w ill be
.

a t t h e head of th e ri se an d fall O f e m pires ; his w orks O f

darkn ess w ill be kn ow n an d pract i sed t hrou g h every part

of t h e habit abl e g lo be H e h as had g reat success in O p .

posin g t h e moral g overn m e n t O f God He h as exceed .

f u g ly corrupt ed t h e m i n ds of t h e m ore w ealt hy part Of

cre a t ion , an d st imulat ed his t e n s of t housan ds by fai r
pro m ises t o rebel ag ai n st t heir rig ht ful L ord a n d S OV
,

e r e ig n B u t l e t us re m e m ber t hat t h e gr an d O bject of

.

t h e S aviour s miss i on w as t o des t roy t h e w orks of t h e

’

devil ( see 1 John iii For t his pu rpose t h e S on O f

.
‘

God w a s m an ifest ed, t h at he m i ght dest roy th e w orks of

’
t h e devi l .

1 T he G re at Wor k shop ; or , t h e Way t o A mass We al t h an d be

Ha pp C on n e ct e d w it h t h e Way
y . t o K e e p an d Appropriat e it , bot h
in a T e mp ora l an d M or al S e n se , bv Jos e
ph St e phe n s . P hil a de l ph i a ,

1 83 7 . 1 8mo 2 14 pag e s . .
43 6 U NI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

“ What are w e t o un derst a n d by t h e w orks of t h e

d evil ? An s w e r All m an n er of w orks w hich m ay c on
sist i n t houg ht w ord, or deed O pposed t o t h e m oral g ov
,
"

e r n me n t of God .

By w hat m ean s are t h e w orks of t h e devil t o be

dest r oyed An s w er By t h e w ord of God w hich is c on
,

t a i n e d in t h e O l d a n d N e w Test am e n t s . I t is com pared

t o a ham m er w hich de m olishes or breaks i n t o pieces ; t o
,

fire w h ich co n sum es t o t h e w i n d more V iolen t t han a

,

t orn a do an d t o w at er w hich allays t hi rs t an d pur ifies

, ,

t h e h e art . S o me ti m es t h e w orks of t h e devil are de

st royed by judg men t s .

Ar e t h ere n o ot her m ean s e m ployed t o d em olish t h e

devil s t em ple
’
Yes As t h e devil has a g reat n u m ber
.

of m in ist ers in his service w h o are con t i n ually pr opa g at

i n g lies so i t behooved t h e g reat S avi ou r of t h e w orld t o
,

n o m i n at e a n d qualify m e n t o O ppose a n d refut e t he m ou t

of t h e sacred w rit in g s .
B u t is it pos sible t o dest roy t h e devil ; is he n ot an
in fin it e bein g An sw e r : I presum e n ot as t hat w hich
,

is in fin it e can n o t be dest royed N ot w it h st an din g he is

.

s aid t o be t h e prin ce of t h e po w er of t h e air y e t his in fl u

,

e n ce is exceedin g ly lim it ed ; he can t g o be yo n d his chai n

’
.

T h e de v il w ill be per m i tt ed t o rule i n t h e h eart s of t h e diso

bedien t a ce rt ai n period un kn o w n ; bu t he w ill fin ally fall a
V i ct iin w it h all his pri n cipalit ies a n d po w ers by t h e po w er

O f t h e dest roy i n g an g el of t h e e verlast i n g co v e n an t

.

A g reat par t of t h e Chris t ian w orld can n ot believe

t hat t h e object Christ had i n V ie w w a s t o des t roy t h e
devil because t h ey read t hat a g reat fire w as prepare d
,

for bot h h i m an d his an g els H ow do t hey kn o w bu t

.

w hat t his g re at fir e spoke n of w as ori g i n a lly desi gn ed t o

dest roy him I t is very s t ran g e t h at Chris t ian s shoul d
be opposed t o his dest ruct ion w he n it i s t h eir daily
,

prayer t hat his kin g dom m i gh t be dest royed, an d w h y

n ot t h e k in g w it h it
(Pages 1 5 1
 WESTERN CON VENTI ON .
43 7

Aft er adducin g cit at i on s from t h e Scri p t u res Sh ow i n g

t he pu rpos e o f God an d the mis s ion o f Chris t h e ,

a dds
From foreg oin g in ve st ig at ion s of pos it ive dec
th e
l arat i on s S p oken by our b lesse d Redeemer an d his apos o

t les w e lear n t his u n de n iable t rut h t hat th e g reat O bjec t

, ,

our S avi our ha d in V i e w w as t o save all for w h om he

gave his l ife a ran som fro m s in co n n ec t ed w it h all i t s
,

dan g erous co n seque n ces B u t w e do n ot see as y e t t his

. .

gr eat obj ect a ccom plished ; st ill w e are t o beli eve t hat t h e
great S aviour w ill accomplish t h e g reat an d n ecessary
w ork An d as t his great s alvat i on is t o be brough t abou t
.

t hroug h th e m ean s w hich our L ord has devised an d ap

poi n t ed all t h e fait h fu l heralds of t h e cross should arise
,

an d p u t on t h e armo r O f lig ht (p .

From t he records of th e sess i on of t h e P hil adel ph ia

Con ven t i on in 1 7 9 4 w e ex t ract t he fo ll o w in g
,

“ Brot her Davi d E van s in form s u s t h at i n N ovemb er

las t he Vi si t ed t h e Bret hre n a n d Church at P ike Ru n , in
,

Was hi n gt o n Coun t y Pen n sylvan ia , of t h e same fait h

,

an d g ospel order w i t h us w h ere he received cert ai n

,

in f orm at ion t hat said church an d t h e church at M org an

,

t o w n t h e church at Georg e s Hil l t h e church at Clarks

’
, ,

burg an d t h e church lat ely con st it ut ed at S hort C r e e k

, ,

of t h e same fait h on acco u n t of t he ir g reat dist an ce

,

from us, had formed t hem selves in t o a Con ve n t ion a n d ,

h ad t he i r firs t mee t in g at M or g an t o w n t h e precedin g ,

Aug ust That he h ad access t o t heir M i n ut es w herein i t

. ,

appeared t hat t heir secon d Co n ven t io n w as appoin t ed t o

m ee t a t P ike Ru n las t A u g u s t w he n , as t heir M in ut es
, ,

express, t hey w oul d del i berat e on t h e proprie ty _ of corre

sp on din g i n fut ure w i t h u s by lett er an d messe n g ers .

‘
“
Re s olve d That t his Co n ve n t io n do acquie sce an d re
,

j oice in t he proceedin g s of said Con ven t ion ; an d t hat w e

438 UNI VERSALI SM I N A M ERI C A .

have recei ve d a n y le t t er fro m t h e m is perhaps o w i n g

n ot

t o t h e prese n t t roubles in t hat cou n t ry That t his C on .

v e n t ion w ill e n deavor t o correspo n d by le t t er w i t h t he m ,

'

a n d i n order t h e r e t o, do reques t t hat Brot her E van s do

w rit e t h em i n our behalf an d t hat he e n close a copy of

.

,
”
t h e M i n ut es of our prese n t proceedi g s n .

The t rou bl es in t hat coun t ry n o dou bt a ll ude t o ,

w ha t i s k n ow n as t h e W h i skey I n su r rec t io n a diffi ,

cu l t y w hich made sad w reck of a ll reli g ious en te rpri ses

i n t ha t sect i on of th e Un i on There i s n o furt her me n
.

t i on of t h e Wes t ern Con ve n t i on n or Of t h e Churches ,

b e lo n g in g t o it an d th e presu m p t ion is t hat t h e ex

,

t re m e povert y of t h e peop l e g reat ly a u g men t ed b y t h e

,

po l it ical d i st urban ces caused t he aban dom e n t of a ll

,

organ iz at io n s .

The records a l so S ho w t hat a l et t er from a si st er

church in S haron Co n n co n s is t in g O f fift y mem b ers
, , ,

al so from a S i s t er church in Egremon t Cou n t y o f Berk ,

shire M ass co n s is t in g of t h i rt y mem b ers

, .
, w a s read , .
”

These let t ers se t for t h t hat each of t hese churches had

m ade choi ce O f M r J ames Br igg s Pre acher of t h e
.
,

Gospe l t o represen t t hem in t h e Con ven t i o n Their

, .

i n for ma t i on in regard t o t h e Con ven ti on had b ee n

g l ea n ed from The Free Un iversal M ag azin e ; an d i t i s
“

pro ba bl e t hat t hey had n o k n o w l edg e of th e n e w ly

org an ized Con ven t i o n i n N e w En g lan d O f Rev James . .

Brigg s w e have n ot been able t o Ob t a in fu rt her in f or

mat ion .

The Ph il ade l ph ia Church report ed t o t h e Con

ve n t ion

As t oourselves w e are less i n n umber t han w e w ere

heret ofore The L ord has been pleased t o t ake some
.
 HOU SE O F WORSHI P IN PHI LADELPHI A . 439

fro m amo n g st us by deat h an d our n umber at presen t is ,

t hirt y S ix -
Ou r Heave n ly Fat h er hat h bee n pleased t o
.

p u t it in t o our he art s t o buil d a house for w orship ,

w hich w e be g an an d ca rr ied on so far as you may

”
see.

Dr J os eph Priest ley w h o w as t hen in Phil adel ph ia

.
, ,

had dra w n aroun d h im a f e w Un it a rian s w h o came t o ,

‘

t h e a i d Of th e Un i versalis t s in 8 0 far compl et in g t he ir

chu r ch edi fi ce as t o en a bl e t hem t o u se it f or re ligi ous
servi ces Writ in g t o Re v Theophilus Lin dsey in Ju n e
‘

. .
, ,

1 7 94 Dr P ries t l ey sai d
.

Aplace of w orship is bui ldin g here by a societ y w ho

call t he m selves Un iversalist s ; t hey propose t o leave it
O pe n t o an y sect of Chris t ian s t hree days in t h e w eek ,

bu t t h ey w a n t m oney t o fi n ish it M y frie n ds t hi n k t o .

furn ish t hem w it h mo n ey an d e n g ag e t h e use of it ,

”
for S un day morn i g sn .

Th is arran g em en t w as perfect ed t h e Un it aria n s ad

v an cin
g some hu n dred s of doll ars for t he comp l et i o n
o f t h e chu rch Wh en t h e house w as fi rst occu pied for
.

w orsh i p th e w all s w ere

” 1 “
says Rev A C Thomas
,
. . .
,

w i t hou t p l as t er in g an d t h e on l y seat s pl ai n b en ches

, .

I w as t ol d t hat t h e first pulp it w a s a roug h p l at form

”
made b y a mast mak e r an d a shoem aker .

T w o b ooks w ere pu bl ished in 1 7 9 4 on e of w h ich ,

exerte d a wi de spread in fl uen ce an d t h e ot her i s rare ly

-
,

see n an d seldom men t ion ed

,
.

The fi rs t Though t s on t h e D iv in e G overn men t by

, ,

Ferdi n an d Oliver Pe t it pie rre w as reprin t ed from an ,

En glish ed it i on b y so m e on e in t eres t ed in th e spread

,

o f Un i versali st v i e w s i n Hart ford Co n n The w ork

, , .

1 C e n t u r y of U n iv e rsal ism , p 65
. .
440 U NI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

w as orig in a lly pu blished in Fre n ch at Ham burg in ,

1 7 86 The au t hor w as min i st er of Chaux de Fo n ds a

.
- -
,

Vill ag e in S w it zer la n d i n t h e can t on of N eufchat el a n d

, ,

w a s k n o w n as a U n iversal is t as earl y as 1 7 7 0 His .

b ook passed t hroug h severa l edit ion s in A meri ca and .

exert ed a g reat in fluen ce O f it Dr Wh it t emore. .

said : 1
The w ork is on e of t h e most pleasi n g defe n ces of
'

U n ive rsal S alvat io n w h ich has ever bee n published .

T h e aut hor co mme n ces by m ai n t ain i n g t hat t o m ake

m an ki n d happy is t h e pri m ary object of God s m oral ’

govern m e n t His w ill is t o save t he m an d t h e m ean s

.
,

by w hich he eff ect s t heir salva t ion is by bri n g i n g t he m

t o t h e kn o wledg e Of t h e t rut h He has re vealed him self
.

t o t h e un derst an di n g of ma n i n n a t ure a n d in revel a ,

t ion . These it is ou r dut y t o st udy ; t h e lat t er w it h

part icular caut ion w it hout prejudi ce an d w it h a S in cere
, ,

desire t o k n o w w hat is t ru t h Here I sole mn ly pro

.
‘

t est says t h e au t hor in t he prese n ce of t h e Al m ig h t y

’ ‘
, , ,

t hat i n readi n g an d m edi t at i n g on his w ord t o k n o w his

w ill a n d desi gn s t o w ards us I h a ve w it h sin ceri t y an d i n
,

his fear sough t t rut h in it s purit y w i t h S i m plicit y of heart , ,

w i t hout h ope or fear of it s a g reein g or disag reein g w i t h

t hat cat echis m w hich I w a s t au g ht t o receive i n m y
yout h w it h out sufficien t examin at io n — w e ll co n vin ced
, ,

t hat if such or such O pi n io n s w ere t rue I should fin d ,

t he m co n fir med i n S cript ure ; if false t hey w o u ld n ot ,

be co m e t rue by my obst i n at ely pe rsist in g t o believe t hem

w it h ou t ex am in at ion S o t hat I had n ot hi n g t o lose or
.
,

rat he r I h a d every t hi n g t o g ain by bri n g in g t hem S i n ,

c e r e l y t o t his t es t ; si n ce t h e o n ly t hi n g of i m por t a n ce t o

me w a s t o fl y fro m e rror an d t o co m e a t t h e k n o w le dg e
,

of t h e t rut h I n t h e body of t h e w ork he t reat s of t he

.
’

1 “ M ode rn H ist or y of U n iv e rsal ism, —

pp 1 5 3 1 5 7
. .
 DI VI NE GO ODNESS . 441

i n fin i t e goodn ess of God ,

it s
ure de sig n , durat io n an d
n at , ,

eff ects : t h e proofs of t h e di v i n e g ood n e ss are deduced

first from his desig n in t h e creat io n O f m an , w hich mus t
,

have been ben evolen t an d seco n d fro m t h e t est imon i es

,

of t h e sacred w rit ers w h o represe n t God t o be kin d an d

, ,

his love t o be st ro n g er t han t hat of t h e fo n dest eart hly

paren t The c On s e qu e n ce S w hich may be deduce d from
.

t h e in fin i t e g oodn ess are very fully con s i dered He .

main t ain s it is ut t erly i mposs ibl e t hat t here S houl d be

an yt hin g in t h e divi n e min d oppo sed t o t his g oodn ess ;
his holin e ss hi s just ice his aut horit y his m ajest y his
, , , ,

g lory sprin g up ou t O f his g oodn ess an d are bu t bran ches

, ,

of it Holin ess is con sist en t w it h t h e l ove of God t o

.

sin n ers in asm uch as he loves t he m as his creat ures bu t

, ,

hat es t heir i n iquit y an d he w ill t herefore pu rg e i t from

,

t he m a n d m ake t h e m clean ; an d all t hose S cript ures in

,

w h ich t h e s ac re d w ri t ers S peak of God s hat i n g man

’
,

should be in t erpret ed ag reeably w i t h t hi s su pp osit io n .

The just ice of God i s t hat immut able w ill t o dispe n se

t o every on e w hat best correspo n ds t o his m oral st at e .

M e n are si n n ers a n d G od pun ishes t he m w it h severit y ;

,

bu t t his severit y is dict at ed by g oodn ess an d all t h e ,

pun ishm en t s God in fl ict s are declared t o be for t h e S i n

n e r s g ood
’
H ow cert ain t hen t hat just ice t h e prin ciple
.
,

w hich di spe n ses re w ards a n d pun ishm e n t s is b u t a m odi ,

ficat i on of g oodn ess it self " H ow O ppos e d t o t his is t h e

dre adf ul doct rin e of e t ern al pun i shm en t an error w hich ,

gre w u p ou t of a mi scon cept io n of t h e me an in g of t h e

w ord ren dered everlast in g " G od pun ishes alw ays t o
reform a fac t w hich t h e aut hor est ablishes w it h t h e
,

most irresis t ible reaso n i n g Di vin e J ust ice n ever pro

.

ce e ds t o ext re me ri g or i n pun ishi n g un t il every g e n t ler ,

mean s has bee n e xhaust ed w it hout e f fect ; it n e ve r e m

ploys t hat ri g or o n ly so m uch an d so lo n g as S h all be
n ecessary t o t h e des t ruct io n of sin an d t he co n versio n
,

O f t h e sin n er an d w he n t h e si n n er i s sin cerely pe n i t e n t,

442 UNI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

God ill graci ously forg ive These b ein g t h e pri n cipl es
w .

on w hich all pu n ish me n t s are ad m i n ist ered t h e e t ern al ,

durat io n of su fie r in g is absolut ely i mpossible a posit io n ,

t h e aut hor est ablishes by a g reat vari e t y of t ext s ar

r an g e d i n several cla sses The fir st class i s com posed
.

of t h ose in w h ich t h e sacred w rit e rs, com parin g t h e

severit y of God w it h his f avor represe n t t h e form er t o
,

be t em porary bu t t h e lat t er t o be w it hout e n d ; t h e

,

seco n d t hose i n w hich he declares he w ill n ot al w ay s

,

chide ; a n d t h e t hird, t hose w hich assert t hat he is our

creat or an d t hat he w ill n ot desert t h e w ork of his han ds
,

ag ain he co n firms it by t hose w hich asse rt t h e u n iversal

dest in a t ion of me n t o holin ess an d happ in ess ; an d las t ly
by a passag e in vari abl y produced for an O pposit e purpose,
,
’
V iz . t h es e sh a l l go aw a y i n to e ver l ast i n g p u n i s h me n t ,
i n w hich t h e w ord re n dered p un is hmen t he m ain t ai n s , ,

quo t i n g t h e aut horit y of Wit t en bach an d Gro t ius Si g n i ,

fie s a remedial, correct i ve disciplin e The i n fin it e au

.

t h orit y of God is e n t i rely foun ded upon h i s g oodn ess .

The erro n eous supposit io n t hat God h as a rig ht fro m

his mere aut ho ri t y t oreprobat e me n t o et ern al pain is ,

show n t o be u n foun ded ; an d it is main t ai n ed t hat Go d s ’

aut horit y i s t h e rig ht t o con fer happi n ess i n his ow n

w ay A s t o t he m aj esty an d g lory of God, it is S how n
.

t hat g oodn ess g i ve s t he m al l t heir lus t re, as t here c an be

n o perfect io n s of t h e divin e charact er more n early allied

t o g ood n ess t han t hey Thus t h e aut hor proves t hat

.

‘
all t h e subl ime perfect io n s of God as t hey exist i n
h i m a n d i n t h e man n er t hey ar e d i sp layed t o hi s cre a
,

t ures far from co n t ai n i n g an y co n t r adi ct ion or O p po

,

sit iou t o eac h o t her are in a con st an t an d beaut if ul

,

harm on y ; an d ad mirably con spire t o S prea d perfect ion

an d ha ppin ess t hroug hout t h e un iverse ’ .

A n o t h er c o n sequen ce of t h e i n fi n i t y of divi n e g ood

n ess is t hat eve r y a ct of God m us t b e a n act of i n fi n it e
,

g oodn ess eve n t h e permi ssion of w hat w e call evil can

 ANT I - UNI V E RS ALI SM .
443

n ot be exe mpt ed fro m t his co n st ruct io n An d t h e au t ho r .

con t e n ds t hat each in dividual m ay say every eve n t ,

t h at has befal le n m e fro m t h e first m o m e n t of my exis t

,

e n ce t o t h e prese n t as w ell as w h at ever w ill befall m e

, ‘

t hroug hout all e t er n it y is t h e g reat es t possible g ood

,

t ha t t h e i n fi n it e bo u n t y of my Creat or can bes t o w

’
In .

fact h e e xcludes real evil fro m t h e u n iverse a n d m ain

, ,

t ai n s t hat n ot hi n g is evil w hile co n n ect ed w i t h t h e e n d

God desig n s t o pro mot e t hereby E t ern al pun ishm e n t is .

real evil an in fin it e evil w hich everyt hin g con spires t o

, ,

exclude fro m t h e plan of God This most e xcelle n t .

t reat ise is closed w it h a survey of t h e prac t ical c on se

u e n c e s w hich fl ow fro m such a vie w of t h e divi n e p la n
q
i t i n spires t h e heart w i t h joy ; creat es w it hi n us a love
of God a reco n ciliat ion t o his w ill a desir e t o se rve an d
, ,

obey hi m ; a n d i n fin e all relig io n is based up o n it ; an d

, ,

every syst e m opposed t o g oodn ess is false an d pern i

’

cio n s in t h e hi g hest de g ree The doct rin e of a li m it e d .

fut ure pun ishm en t is adm it t ed t houg h n ot par t icularly ,

”
defen ded .

The secon d w ork w as an oct avo of 1 1 7 pag es pu b ,

l is h e d an o n ymous ly at N e w L on do n Co n n a n d e n t it led , , ,

“
Un iversalis m Con t rary t o S cri pt ure I t w a s n o dou b t .

cal led fort h by t h e preach in g of John M urray in t ha t

t o w n or v i c in it y ; as t h e aut hor says i n a foot n o t e on
-

pag e 3 5 :
The exposit io n s of t h e Un iversalist s referred t o ,
’
i n t his w ork are pri n cipally t ak e n from M r M urray s
,
.

preach in g especially M at t xxv 3 1 t o t h e e n d L uke

,
. .
,

x iii 23 —3 0 a n d L uke xvi 19 t o t h e e n d by t h e w ri t e r

.
,
. ,
”
of t his pamphlet w h o w as an att en t ive heare r
,
.

The au t hor s so l e a tt ack i s on Rellyan ism t h e o n ly

’
,

form of Un i versali sm of w h i ch he seems t o have an y

kn o w l edg e an d h is han dlin g of t he su bj ect i s l og i cal
,
,
444 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

in ge n i ous ,
an d in a g ood sp irit . We presen t a b rie f
ex t ract
U n iversalis t s say salvat io n is on ly t hrou g h an d i n
co n seque n ce of a n an t ecede n t un io n of all Adam s race ’

w i t h Chris t The S cript ure represe n t s t h e co n t rary

.
,

t h at salvat io n by Christ is n ot t o A da m s pos t erit y col

’

l e ct i ve l y bu t in dividually a n d is o n ly t h rou g h fait h

, , ,

w hich m akes t h e un io n Their opin io n is o n ly support ed

.

by sim ilit udes fig ures a n d fict io n or de t ached passag es

, , ,

an d part icul a r t ext s w hich t hey w res t t o t heir ow n opi n

,

i on. B u t t h e con t ra ry is fou n ded on t h e w hole t e n or of

S cri pt ure an d on plain passag es t oo as God co m m an ds
, , ,

a ll m e n every w here t o repe n t An d t his is his c om .

m a n d : t hat w e should believe on t h e n a m e of his S on ;

”
t hat h e died for a ll t hat t hey w hich li ve e tc
(p ,
. .

I n 1 7 95 th e N e w E n g l a n d Con ve n t io n m e t a t B e n
,

n in t on V t
g , The o n ly record preserved of it s b us in ess
.

is t hese t w o it em s : Bro t her John M urray w as chose n

moderat or Bro t her Hosea Ballou c l erk
, an d E xam , ,

in e d an d approved t h e creden t ial s of t h e several at t en d

an t messe n g ers a n d t ran sact ed a ll such specia l b us in ess
,

as ca m e b efore t h e Con ven t i o n U n t il t h e session in .

”

1 80 0 t h ere are n o records of proceedin g s t h e ci re n

, ,

l ar l ett ers for each year be in g all t ha t t h e Con ve n t io n

pu bl ished or preserved for it s records
, .

The P hil ade l phia Co n ven t ion me t in 1 7 95 in O ct o

b er The at t e n dan ce w a s sm a ll — on l y four churches
.
,

be in g represen t ed Israe l Israel of Phil a del phi a w as

.
, ,

appo in t ed moderat or of t h e sess i on M r Israe l w as a . .

promin en t an d in flue n t ial c it ize n hav in g b een chair ,

man of t h e Ph il ade lph ia Co m m i tt ee of S afe t y durin

g
t h e Revol u t i o n an d su b se q ue n t l y sheri ff of t h e c it y an d
,

cou n t y of Phil ade lphia Th e Co n ven t i o n .

 C I RCULAR LET TER . 445

Ag reed t hat Bro t her Is r ael be appoin t e d t o w rit e t o

t h e Co n v e n t io n i n t h e S t at e of Ve rm o n t [l e t h e N e w .

E n g lan d Co n ve n t io n w hic h h ad re c e n t ly held it s sessio n

,

i n Be n n i n g t o n ] g ivi n g t h e m i n form at io n of t h e n u m ber

,

an d s t at e of t h e churches here also r e ques t i n g t he m t o

,

w ri t e i n like m an n er t o our n ext co n ve n t io n ; a n d t h at

t hey w ould w rit e t h eir opi n io n on t h e p r o p rie t y of havi n g
a t rien n ial co n ve n t io n co mpose d of d ele g at es fro m t h e
,

an n u al co n ven t io n s ; a n d t hat Bro t her E van s w rit e i n like

m an n e r t o t h e Con ve n t ion i n t h e w est ern part of t his
S t at e ” .

The c ircu l ar le tt er w ritt en by t h e cl erk of t h e sess io n

, ,

Re v David E van s w a s as foll o w s

.
,

D e a r B re t h r e n Thro u g h t h e love an d kin dn ess of

,

G od our S aviour w e have h a d t his ou r an n u a l m ee t in g ;

,

an d al t houg h w e have n ot had t h e happi n ess of s e ei n g

t h e faces of several of our dear bre t h re n w ho m w e ex

p e ct e d a n d di d g reat ly desire w ould m ee t w i t h us y e t ,

our m eet in g u n der t h e in fl ue n ces of God our S aviour

, ,

w as i n a g ood de g ree co m fo rt able feeli n g t h e i m port an ce

,

of t h e m os t precious t rut h w hich w e profess w ort hy in

earn e st n ess a n d m eekn e ss t o be co n t e n ded for w he t h e r ,

m an y or f e w do fro m t h e h eart e mbrace it Dear bret h .

re n,
l e t us heart ily e n coura g e each ot her i n t his g oo d
w ork " M ay eve ry p art of our co n duct in life m an ifes t
u n t o t h e w orld t hat t h e m os t precious t rut h w hich w e
profess w he n from t h e heart believe d is t ruly reform
, ,

i n g as w ell a s co m fort i n g " an d t hose w h o are n ot care ful

i n t his w e h ave caus e t o co n clude t hat t hey are on ly
,

n o m i n al a n d n ot real believers
, ,
A n d foras m uch as t here
.

is a la me n t at io n t hat so m an y of our church e s are de st i

t u t e of m in ist e rial suppli e s l e t us be u n it ed i n prayer
,

t o God t h at h e w oul d raise for his Israel m an y p ast ors

aft er his ow n h eart w h o shall feed hi s people w it h
,

k n o w led g e a n d un derst an din g .

446 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

We have ag r eed t hat our n ext co n ve n t ion be at

Philadelphia last Tuesday of O ct ober n ext at t hree
, ,

o clock P M
’
, . .

Dear bret hre n prayi n g t hat t h e God of perfect purit y

,

an d love w ill g ive you a n d us t h e t eachin g s of his spiri t

t o lead u s i n t o all t rut h t hat t h e Divi n e purposes w h ich

,

are all foun ded i n in fin it e w isdo m an d g oo dn ess be ac

co m plished w e subscribe ourselves your bre t hre n i n t h e
,
”
be lief of t e g reat salvat io
h n .

I t w as al so agreed t hat t h e foll o w in g l et t er t o de l in

q uen t churches shou l d b e appen ded t o t h e ab ove
D ear B r et hr en , —
hat h bee n c ause of muc h lam e n
It
t at i on t o us t ha t you an d so m a n y of t h e church e s h ave
sen t n eit her let t ers n or messe n g ers t o t h is con ve n t io n .

We pray God our Fat her t hat you m ay n ot be left t o

forsake your first love An d in addit ion t o ou r circular .

le t t er w e t hin k m eet t o w r it e t o t h e delin quen t churches

, ,

earn est ly e n t reat in g t he m t o sen d le t t ers a n d m esse n g ers

t o our n ext co n ve n t io n a n d t h e reason of t heir n e g lect
,
”
or failure at his i e
t t m .

The causes o f “
de lin q uen cy may have b een man y
a n d various ; b u t a n o t a bl e on e w as t h e scarc it y of m i n

i s t e r ial l a b orers a n d t h e in fre quen cy of meet in g s for

,

relig i ou s w orship con se q uen t t here on “

As t o t h e .

s t at e of our church w ro t e t h e P h il ade lphian s w e

”
, ,

are s t ill w it hou t a pas t or bu t are in some hopes our ,

g ood Lord w ill give us on e t o g o i n an d ou t b efore us .

A t prese n t our fri en d an d b rot her M r W in ches t er , .

,

”
preaches t o us .

The church a t Sh il oh repor t ed

“
We have cause t o lam en t t hat w e are o n ce m ore left
in a w ido w ed s t at e as t o a m i n is t er ; y e t w e h ave cause

to bless God t h at w e st ill have an exist en ce as a church ,

 MR . WI NC HES T ER S ’
LAB ORS . 44 7

t hou g h s mal l We a re f e w i n n um ber at best a n d t h e re

.
, ,

is s u ch a d e clin at io n i n reli g ion i n t h is part t hat w e

barely m ee t a t an y t i m e We have n o m i n ist er t o lead .

us an d several of our m e m bers have falle n aw ay fro m

,

t h e fait h an d have t ur n ed ag ai n t o
, an d si n ce our

last on e is dead ; so by t his m ean s w e h ave beco me very

,

s m all N ow dear bre t hre n if you w ill join w it h us in

.
, ,

prayers t hat t h e L ord of t h e harvest w ill se n d laborers

i n t o t h e h arvest an d w it h your prayers join you r e n
,

de a v or s t o v isit an d help us t he n w e believe t h e L ord ,

w ill add h i s blessin g a n d w e shall beco m e a fl ourishi n g

,

bra chn i n t e vi n eyard of God

h ”
.

So t oo t h e
, , church at Ne w Han over
Thoug h w e are f e w w e e n deavor t o keep up our ,

m ee t i n g s m in dful of t h e blessed prom ise of our L ord

, ,

w h o says t hat w here t w o or t hree are m e t i n his n a m e

,
‘
,

t here h e w ill be i n t h e m ids t We do t h in k t hat w e fin d ’

.

t h e pro m ise fulfilled a t t im es ; bu t w e w ish you t o visi t

us as oft e n as a n y of you ca n fin d it con ve n ie n t We .

have n ot had a Un iversalist m i n is t er w it h us for alm ost

”
a ye a r .

Re v . E l han a n
Win ches t er as w e have prev iousl y ,

said ret urn ed t o A merica in 1 7 94 I n t h e su mm er

, .

of 1 7 95 he aga in t ook up h i s a b ode i n Phil adel phia

, ,

re n t ed a house an d pro b ably in t en ded t o make t hat

,

cit y his fut ure res iden ce hi s in t i mat e frien d Dr B e n , ,

.

j am in Rush hav in g arran g ed t o have hi m suppl y sev

,

era l med i cal s t uden t s w it h b oard He suppl ied t h e .

pu l pit o f t h e Phil adel phi a church as reg u l arly as hi s ,

healt h w ou ld perm it durin g t h e rem ain der of t hat ,

year w it h occas i o n al v i si t s t o N e w York w here larg e

, ,

co n gregat io n s li st en ed t o his messag e J uly 1 0 he t hus .

,

w ri t es fro m t ha t ci t y :
448 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

We have be g un a larg e acquain t an ce i n t h i s

t o ge t
cit y, bu t I h ave o n ly preache d t w ice si n ce our arrival
here bu t expect t o pre ach ag a in t his eve n i n g i n H u n
,

t e r s Ho t el w here I preached las t eve n i n g ; for al l t h e

’
,

churches here ar e so sh ut up t hat I can ge t n o n e o f t hem

t o preach i n .I ha ve ho w ever got t h e c ircus — a l arg e
, , ,

pl ace w here feat s of horsem an ship are show n , — w hich

”
w ill co n t ain ma y people
n .

Three days lat er he , i

w r t es to t h e same correspon de n t

I pre ached yest erday t w ice in t h e circu s I n t he .

even in g t here w as a larg e con g re gat io n of n ear a t hou

san d pe ople They have j ust ope n ed a sub script i o n
. .

t ow ards b uildi n g a m ee t i n g house O pe n t o all part ies ;

-

t hey h ave n early a n h un dred pou n ds already sub scr ibed,

alt hou gh t h e b ook is bu t jus t O pe n ed I t i s expect ed .

t h at l arg e e n courag e m e n t w ill be g ive n .

We have n o further in format i on w it h regard t o t h is

att emp t at erect in g a p lace of w orsh ip an d t h e pro b a ,

bil it ie s are t ha t M r Wi n ches t er s fai lin g heal t h pre

’
.

ven t ed h i s foll ow in g u p t h e favorin g opport u n it y Te n .

year s b e fore t his accord in g t o M rs M urray s s t ate men t

, .
’

Life o f M urray page a church had b ee n pur

”
,

cha sed in Ne w York w hi ch t hey f ore bore t o open u n t il

,

i t cou l d b e ded ica t ed b y t h e peac e speak in g vo i ce o f -

t h e promu l gat or Wh at b ecame of t his propert y if

”
.
,

t h e purchase w as comp l e t ed of w h ich t here may b e

,

some dou bt , w e are n ot in form ed .

By far t he most s ig n ifican t even t in 1 7 95 c er

t ain l y t h e on e w h i ch exert ed t h e mos t pe rma n e n t in

fl u e n ce — w as t h e pre sen t at ion o f U n iversali sm on a
Un it ari an b as is b y Rev Hosea Ball ou
, . He pro ba bly .

b ecame a Un it arian says h i s bi ographer Rev Dr

”
, , . .
 UNI T ARI AN UNI VERSALI SM .
449

Whit t emore in B u t h i s fi rs t sermo n from

,

t h i s s t an dpo in t so far as w e have an k o w l ed e

,
y n
g .

w as preached in S t urb rid e M ass 3 year l a te r Rev

g , .
, . . .

Ed w ard Tu rn er w h o li st e n ed to t he sermon an d con

, ,

versed w it h t h e preacher aft er servi ce on t he n ovel

g roun ds he had ma in t ain ed in his d is cours e has l e ft ,

t h is re c ord

“
The Un iversalist s appear t o have t aken t h e lea d of
o t her den om in at ion s in an n oun cin g U n it arian vie ws of
t he person of Christ a n d of t h e n at u re of t h e at o n e m e n t .

Thoug h as w e have before said t h e preachers of t his

, ,

order w ere un derst ood t o foun d t heir b el ie f on Calvin

i st ic prin ciples ; y e t t here m ig ht b e some a mo n g t he m
w h o had att ain ed t o clearer a n d m ore rat io n al con ce
p
t i on s of t h e se n se of t h e S cript ures i n relat io n t o t hese
t opics We can S p e ak of t h e ch an g e i n t heir m ode of
.

preac hin g from m e m ory o n ly I t w a s n ot t ill t h e year .

1 7 95 t h at w e n ot iced a n y chan g e at all Ot hers, it is pos .

sible may have discovered it before Th e re may have

, .

been man y preachers w h o elect rified an d as t oun ded so me

of t he i r audi t ors w it h t h e an n ou n ce m e n t of t h e doct ri n e
of Christ s subordin at io n t o t h e Fat her an d w it h t h e
’
,

n ovel i dea of reco n ci li at io n as aff ect i n g hu man bei n g s

alon e : We ho w ever he ard t hese st at em en t s an d t h e ,

argume n t s i n s u pport of t hem for t h e first t ime in t h e , ,

year above men t i on ed The pre a cher on t h at occasio n .

w as t h e aut h or of t h e T rea ise o

t n A t o e e
n m n t 2
.
’

As al ready n ot iced Un it aria n vi ew s had so f ar pre

,

vail ed I n Pe n n sy l van i a an d Ne w Jersey as to b e f ormu

lat ed in to a creed assen t ed t o b y several Un iversa li st
,

ch u rches an d pu blished t o t h e w orl d w it h a re com

,

1 Lif e of Re v Hose a B all ou ,

. vol . i p 118
. . .

2 U n iversal ist Q u art e rl y , v ol . v i. J an u ar y , 1 849 , pp 13 , 1 4

.

V OL. I . 29
45 0 U NI VERS A LI SM IN AM ERI C A .

m e n dat i on that t h e y b e favorabl y rece ived b y o t hers ,

a t l eas t t w o years b efore M r Ball ou pre ached t hem

.
in

N e w En g la n d ; bu t i t i s n ot pro b a bl e t ha t t hey f oun d

favor wi t h m a n y Least of a ll i s it t o b e supposed t ha t
.

M r Ba ll ou h ad an y k n ow ledg e of t hei r preva le n c e in

.

t ha t sect ion of t h e coun t ry ; w h il e i t i s cert a i n t ha t

t heir in flue n ce w as lim it ed a n d t ha t t he org an i zat io n s
,

soo n ceased t o ex i st .

N ot a b ook on t h e subj ect of t h e Un it ari an con t ro

v er s
y had a t t hat t i me b ee n pu bli shed in Ameri ca Dr . .

M ayhew o f Bos t on had made an assau l t upon t h e

doc t rin e o f t h e t rin it y t h ir t y years b efore M r B all ou .

preached h i s serm o n bu t o f t his M r Ba ll ou had n ever .

heard N or had he an y k n o w ledg e of Rev Dr Free

.
. .

m a n an d h is Un it ar ia n w ork a t K in g s Chapel resu lt

’

in g in t h e modify in g of t h e lit urgy as earl y as 1 7 85 ,

con cern in g w hich w ork Dr Freeman w ro t e t o Rev

,
. .

Theophil us Lin dsey of En gl an d in J u l y 1 7 86

, , ,

The lit urg y of our church w as duri n g a lon g t im e

un p opular ; bu t your approbat ion t h e n o t e of Dr Price ,
.

an n exed t o a let t e r of Dr L ush an d t h e m en t io n w hich

.
,

Dr Pries t ley is pleased t o make of it in his ser m on upo n

.

t h e 5 t h of N ove m ber have raised i t i n est ee m

,
.

w ish t h e w ork w a s more w ort h y of your approbat io n .

I ca n o n ly say t hat I e n deavored t o m ake it so by

at t em pt ing t o in t ro duce your lit urg y e n t ire ; bu t t h e
peopl e of t h e chapel w ere n ot ripe f or so g re at a ch an g e .

S o m e defect s an d i mproprie t ies I w as un der t h e n e ce s

s it y of re t ain in g for t he sake of i n duci n g t he m t o o m i t
,

t h e m os t excep t io n al part s of t h e old service t h e At h e n a ,

sian pray e rs Perhaps in so m e fut ure day w he n t h e i r

.
,

m in ds be co m e m o re e n l ight e n e d t hey m ay co n se n t t o a
,
”
furt h er alt erat ion .
 TI M I D UNI T ARI ANS .
45 1

Tw e n t y five years ho w ever

-
, , el apsed b efore t h i s hope
w as rea li zed A n e w edit io n
. of t h e li t urgy w as pu b
lis he d in 1 8 1 1 of w hich Rev
, . Th omas B e l sham in h i s ,

Lif e o f Lin dsey said ,

N ot hin gi s t o be foun d w hich is in con s i st en t w it h

t he pures t prin ciples of U n it arian w orship as such ; an d
i h a very f e w alte rat ion s chiefl y verbal
w t , , it might be
made perfect ly un object io n able ” .

Three years b efore M r B all ou s sermon Un it ari an .

’
,

soc i et ies had b een formed in Port l an d an d Saco M e ; ,

bu t M r Wells of Bost on w r it in g t o M r B e l sh am in
.
, , .

1 81 2 sai d
,

The ch urches a t Port lan d an d S aco of w hi ch you

speak, hardly ever saw t h e li g ht an d exi st n o lo n g er , .

An d he makes t h e con fess io n ,

Wit h re g ard t o t h e pro g ress of U n it ari an is m I have

'

bu t lit t le t o say I t s t e n e t s have spread very ext en sively

.

i n N e w E n g l an d, bu t I believe t here is o n ly on e church

p r of esse dl y U n it ari an .

Alt houg h he cl a im s t ha t mos t of our Bos t o n cl ergy

an d r e spec tabl e layme n ( of w ho m w e hav e man y en l ig h t

en ed t heo l ogian s ) are Un it arian s ye t t h e con t ro

vere y h e adds, is se ldom or n ever in t rod u ced in t o
,

t h e pu l p it
”
.

A nd h e j ust ifies t h is t im id po li cy b y sayin g t hat

“ This s a e of hin s appears t o m e so favorabl t o t h e
t t t g e
disse m in at ion of corr ect se n t ime n t s t hat I s hould pe r ,

haps re g ret a gre at de g ree of exci t e m en t i n t he pub lic

m in d upo n t h ese subj ec t s The m ajorit y w ould e v e n t u
.

al l y be a gai n s t u s The i g n oran t t h e violen t t he amb i

.
, ,

t ious, an d t h e cun n i n g w ould car ry t h e mult i t u de w it h

t he m i n reli g io n as t h ey do i n polit ics On e Dr M , i n a . . .
45 2 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

con t est for spreadin g his ow n sen t i m e n t s am o n g t h e

ody of t h e peo p le w ould at leas t for a t i m e b e a t
gre a t b , , ,

t e n Pri e st leys N ot t o d w ell upo n t h e con siderat io n t h at

.

U n it arian is m co n sist s rat her i n n ot believin g an d t hat it ,

is m ore easy t o g ain pros e lyt e s t o absurd o pi n io n s t han

t o m ake t he m ze alous i n r ef u s i n g t o believe Wi t h w hat .

arm s w h e n t h e of w oM ol are t h e judg es ca n virt ue a n d

, , ,

learn in g a n d ho n or co n t e n d w it h craft a n d cun n in g an d

, , ,

equi v ocat io n a n d falsehood an d in t ole ra n t ze a l ? L earn

, ,

i n g is w orse t han useless ; virt ue is oft e n di fii de n t of her

ow n co n clusio n s an d at a n y rat e m ore an xious t o r e n
,

der m e n g ood Christ ian s t han t o m ake Christ ian s of h e r

ow n de n o m in at io n ; a n d t hat self respect w h ich is t h e -
,

co m pan ion of virt ue disdain s t o m ee t t h e l ow cun n i n g

,

of her advers aries or t o fl at t er t h e l ow prej udices of h e r

,

jud g es I t hin k t hen it m ust be assum e d as an axio m

.
, ,

t hat a p erseveri n g con t roversy upo n t his ques t ion w ould

re n der t h e m ult it ude big ot e d a n d pers e cut i n g Cal vi n ist s .

Then com e syst e m s an d cat echism s in a bun dan ce E very .

con ceit ed deacon every parish io n e rw ho has or t hin ks

, ,

he h as a s m at t erin g i n t heolo g y becom es t h e in quisit or

, ,

of h is pas t or I n such circum s t an ces learn i n g a n d g ood

.

sen se have n o chan ce They can n ot be heard . I do .

n ot k n o w t hat you w ill approve m y s e n t i me n t s n or a m I ,

very con fiden t of t heir just n ess bu t I h ave see n t h e con

t est be t w ee n t rut h an d falsehood b ef or e t h e m u l t it u d e ; ,

bet w een everyt hin g w hich is respect able an d e very t h in g

w hich is de t est able so u n equal i n poli t ics t hat I dread
,

t h e eve n t i n m at t ers of reli g io n S t ill I w ould be n o .

,

advocat e for t im idit y m uch less for an y t hin g like ,

equ ivocat ion or evasio n a n d it must be con fesse d

,

t hat prude n ce oft e n de g e n er at es i n t o t hese vices .

Dr Freeman
. w rot e t o M r . Li n dsey in M ay , 1 7 96
“
I am acquai n t ed w it h a n um ber of m i n ist ers part ie ,

u l arl y in t h e sout hern part of t his S t at e w h o avow a n d ,

 T I M I D UNI T ARI ANS . 45 3

publicly preach t his sen t i m en t Th ere are o t hers more .

caut ious w h o co n t e n t t h e mselves w i t h leadin g t h e ir

hearers by a course of rat io n al bu t pruden t se r m o n s
, ,

g radually an d i n se n sibly t o e mbrace i t Thoug h t his .

lat t er mode is n ot w hat I en t irely ap prove y e t it pro ,

duces g ood eff ect s For t h e people are t hus ke p t ou t

.

of t h e reach O f false O p in io n an d are prepared for t h e

,

i m pression s w hich w ill be m ade on t hem by m or e

bold an d arde n t successors w h o w ill p r obably be raised
,

up w hen t hese t imi d charac t ers are re m ove d Off t h e

st a g e .

These t im id charac t ers seem t o have sha ped t h e

po l icy of t h e U n it ar ian s of A m erica for full t w e n t y
years aft er Hosea Ball ou s b o ld ad vocacy of th e doct rin e
’

of t h e D iv in e u n i t y ; for as a sect t h e Un it aria n s w ere

, ,

n ot k n o w n in t h is cou n t ry u n t il aft er t he year 1 8 1 5 .

The lat e Professor N ort on w as on e of t h e m ost for

w ard t o speak ou t There had be e n a st rugg le i n 1 805
.

i n re g ard t o t h e elect io n of t h e elder Dr Ware t o t h e .

Hollis Professorshi p of Divi n it y at Harvard U n iversit y

bu t n o on e ca m e ou t O pe n ly i n favor of Un i t arian is m
u n t il 1 81 5 a n d t his w as brought about al m ost by acci
,

den t Rev J S Buck m i n st er said i n 1 80 9 i n a let t er

. . . .

t o M r B e l sh am of E n g la n d : Do you w ish t o k n o w
‘
.
,

an y t hi n g of Am erican t heolo gy ? I c an o n ly t ell you

t hat except at t h e s m all t ow n of Bost o n a n d it s vici n
i t y t here can n ot be collec t ed from a space O f on e h u n
,

dre d m iles six clergy m en w h o have an y co n cept io n s of

rat io n al t heolo g y an d w h o w ould n ot s hr in k fro m t h e
,

suspicion of an t i Tri n it arian is m in an y shape

- I n 1 812 .
’
,

M r N ort o n al r e ady n a m ed cam e ou t w it h t h e firs t vol

.
, ,

u m e of t h e Ge n e ral Reposit ory i n w hich he defe n ded ’

,

Libe ra l Chr i s t ian i t y : A s lo n g af t erw ards as 1 81 9 w he n ,

M r N o r t o n w as elec t ed Professor of Biblical Cri t icism

.
,
45 4 U NI VERS A LI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Dr Chan n in g w h o w a s t hen a m e m be r of t h e Corpo

.
,
.

rat io n object ed t o g ivin g h im t h e t it le of Professor

, ,

t hrou g h fe ar i t mi g ht i n j u re t h e colle g e t o m ake so c on

sp ic u ou s it s co n n ec t io n w it h on e hol di n g such opin io n s

bu t h e w a s w illin g t o assi g n h im t h e dut ies an d salary

of t h e office I n 1 815 broke ou t t h e Un it arian co n t ro
.

v e rs
y w hich as w e have said ori g i n at e d in a n acciden t
, , , ,

n a m e ly t h e u n lucky eve n t of a copy of B e l s h am s L ife ’

,

of L in dsey ’ (a n E n g lish w ork) , fallin g in t o t h e han ds of

an Ort hodox edi t or i n t his co u n t ry I n t his w ork t h e .
,

privat e let t ers Of e m in en t Am erican an t i Trin it aria n s t o -

t heir E n g lish bre t hre n w ere published Whe n t hese pri .

vat e le t t ers t hus b e cam e k n own t o t h e O rt hodox part y ,

t h e y at o n ce d e t erm in e d t o com pel if possible t h e an t i , ,

Trin it arian part y t o avo w t he m selve s The m ost cele .

brat e d co n t roversy t hat ever t ook place i n t his cou n t ry

bet w ee n t h e Trin it arian s a n d t h eir O ppo n en t s t he n eu
sue d ; a n d t h e U n it arian s (as t hey came aft er w ards t o
be calle d) w ere Co m pelled as it w e re t o co m e ou t O pen ly
, ,

an d t ake t heir po sit io n We co m m e n d t o t h e at t e n t io n

.

of t h e reader a very valu able art icle from t h e p e n of ,

t h e lat e lam e n t ed Prof e ssor N or t o n on m at t ers e m braced ,

i n t his para g raph w hich w ill be f oun d i n t he Chris t ian

,
‘

E xamin er for Sep t embe r 1

,

Mr Ba llou as w e have sai d reached h i s con cl us io n s

.
, ,

u n aided b y human t eachers H i s au t horit y an d his .

sol e u mp i re w as t h e Bibl e I n a le t t er t o Re v Thomas. .

Wh it t emore in N ovemb er 1 82 9 he sa id
, , ,

I had preache d bu t a short t ime before my min d w as

e n t irely freed from all t h e perplexi t ies of t h e doct rin e
of t h e Trin it y an d t h e co mmo n n o t ion s of At o n e m e n t
, .

B u t i n m aki n g t hese advan ces as I am disposed t o call ,

1
Re v D r Whit t e more , f oot
. . n ot e on
-
pa g e s 1 12 , 1 13 of vol . i .
, L if e
of Re v Hose a B all ou
. .
 UNI TARI AN VERSALI S M 4 55
'

U NI .

t hem, I h ad t h e a ssist an ce of n o aut hor or w rit er As .

fa s t as t hese old doct rin es w ere by an y me an s ren dered

t h e subj ect s of in quiry i n m
y m i n d t hey becam e e x ,

p l ode d B u t it w oul d be diffi cult for m e n ow t o rec all

.

t h e p art icular i n cide n t s w h ich su g g est e d queries i n m

y
m i n d respect i n g t he m I t m ay be proper for me h ere t o
.

st at e on e circumst an ce w hich n o doubt, had n o s mall ,

t e n de n cy t o brin g m e on t o t h e g rou n d w here I have for

m an y years felt es t ablished I t w as my readi n g so m e
.

de is t ical w rit i n g s By t his m ean s I w as led t o see t hat

.

i t w as ut t erly i m possible t o m ai n t ai n Christ ian i t y as i t

ha d bee n g e n erally believed i n t h e church This led m e .

of cour se t o exam in e t h e S cript u res t hat I m i ht d et er

g ,

m in e t h e ques t io n w he t her t h e y did really t e ach t h at

Jesus C h rist died t o recon cile an un chan g eable God t o
his creat ures You can n o t su ppo se t hat I w as l o n g i n
.

fin din g t hat so far fro m t eac h in g such absurdit ies t h e

, ,
'

S cript ures t each t hat God w as i n C hr is t recon cili n g t h e

w orld un t o hi m self The qu e st io n respect in g t h e Trin it y
.

w as by t h e sam e mean s as S p eedily se t t led B u t I c an .

n ot say for cer t ai n t y in w hat year I becam e a U n i

t ar ian ; bu t i t w as l on g before I wr ot e my t reat ise on
”
at on em en t .

B u t M Ball o u w as n ot a m an t o s t ifle his con v i c t i on s

r .

w he n o n ce t hey had b ecom e es t abl i shed in h i s ow n

m in d He mu s t speak w hat he b e lieved an d m u s t seek

.
,

t o l ead o t hers t o t h e k n o w l ed g e o f w ha t he regarded as

”
t h e t ru t h Oppos it i o n w as of course aroused ; an d ,

he says I fo u n d it as difli cu l t t o co n v in ce my e lders

,

o f t h e errors o f Cal v in i st i c t en e t s as ot her peopl e of t h e

”
e rror o f t he doc tr in e of en dl ess pun i sh m e n t I t w as .

n ot l o n g h o w ever b
,
efore h is O pen avo w al an d s t ron g
,

demon st rat i on of t h e t rut h b ore ab u n da n t fru it .

The o ther min ist ers sai d t h e l at e Rev Dr Ball ou

,
”
. . ,
45 6 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

in an art i cl e in t h e Un iversali s t Q uarterly for Ja n u

ary ,
1 848,

radually follo w ed h i m i n t his refor m an d as early as

g
1 80 5 t h e w ork m ay be said t o hav e bee n com ple t ed ,

t h ou gh M r M urray a t Bos t o n a n d M r M it chell at N e w

.
,
.

York s t ill m ai n t ai n ed t h e fo rm er vie w s w it h g rea t st r e n u

on s n e s s B u t fro m t his t i m e on w ards t h e U n iversalist
.

m i n ist ry i n t his coun t ry h as w it h o n ly t hree or four ex ,

c e pt i on s publicly avo w ed a n d O ft en defe n d e d U n i t arian

, ,

sen t i m e n t s on t h ese poin t s, bot h in t h e pulpit a n d fro m

”
t h e press .

The New E n gl a n d
Co n ven t i on me t in S ept emb er ,

1 7 9 6 at W in ches t er N H
,
N O reco rd is preserved of
,
. .

t h e n u m b er in a tt e n dan ce n or Of t h e b usi n ess don e ,

.

Rev Zeb ul o n S t reet er w as moderat or an d al so t h e

.
,

w ri t er Of t h e circ u lar l e tt er t o t h e churches Th i s is .

t h e firs t m e n t i o n t hat w e have of M r St ree t er in c on .

n e c t i on w i t h t h e m i n is t ry an d t h e Co n ve n t i o n ; bu t
amo n g t h e papers of t h e lat e Rev Dr Ball ou is a . .

memoran dum of a con versat i o n he ld w it h t h e sen i or

Hosea Ba ll ou in 1 847 w he n t he l at t er men t io n ed Zeb
,

u l on St ree t er as b e in g al ready i n t h e m in is t ry w he n he

b eg an t o preach in 1 7 9 1 The lat e Rev Lemue l W illi s . . .

sai d of M r St ree ter .

He w as a sain t ly m an a n d adorn e d t h e doct rin e of ,

God our S aviour w it h a w ell ordered life an d a C h rist ian -

co n versat ion He w as lo n g a preacher of t h e fi n al salv a

.

t io n of t h e e n t ire race a n d w a s qui t e a pat riarch in t h e

,

d e n o m in at io n an d he n ce h e w as ap poi n t ed t o preside as
m oderat or of t h e Ge n eral Co n ve n t io n for a lo n g n u m ber
of yea r s i n successio n He w a s n ot o n ly a ma n of g reat
.

m oral excelle n ce an d very a m iable bu t w a s a pe r so n of ,

m uch di g n it y of charact er a n d bearin g A lt hou g h i n .

 Z EB ULON ST REET ER . 45 7

so m e respect s h i s b r ot h er Adam s w a s h i s superior it is ,

said y e t he w a s a n a bl e m in ist er of t h e N e w Tes t am e n t

,

a n d d i d a g reat d e al by h i s n oble t ale n t s as a public

t eacher a n d by h i s love l y Christ ian spirit bo t h i n pub
lic a n d in pri vat e ” 1 .

He w as pro b a bly a n abl e w ri t er rat her t han a gift ed

speaker .

I t is sai d t hat some O f t h e b re t hre n in a tt e n da n ce a t

t h e Con ve n t ion in 1 7 9 6 w ere disposed t o co n t en d upon
,

ma t t ers calculat ed t o produce discord a n d disu n ion bu t ,

t hat M r St ree t er s exce ll e n t advice con v in ced t he m of

’
.

t h e foll y of con t e n t ion Ho w e v er t hi s migh t have

.

b een t h e circu lar l et t er gives ev iden ce t hat diversit ies

,

of O p in io n w ere lia ble t o l ead t o pr ofit l e ss di spu t e an d ,

w arn s ag a in s t it

I t is t rue t h at diff ere n t professors of t h e Abraham ic

fait h have dissim ilar vie w s co n cern in g t h e m odes i n
w h ich so g reat a salvat io n w ill be in dividually m ade

kn o w n t o t h e p urchase d p ossession ; bu t w e collect ive ly

a n d separat ely seriously aff ect io n at e ly
,
m eekly e n t re at
, , ,

our bret hr e n t h at t h ey w ould n ot g ive t h em selves over

t o vai n disput at io n s on t h e m an n er i n w h ic h J e hovah
w orke t h t h e coun cil of his w ill Rat her rest ye con t e n t e d
.

t hat God w h o hat h pro m ised is fait h ful t o p e rform ;

, ,

a n d cheerfully re ceive all t h ose w h o ar e blessed w i t h

g ift s of e d i ficat i on how ever div e r se t heir g ift s m ay be

, ,

preferrin g n o m an above his fello w m a n a n d re n de r in g -

,

ho n or t o n o n e save un t o J e sus C h rist t h e o n ly Holy an d ,

”
t h e o n ly Revere n d .

M r . s deat h t ook place says M r Willi s

S t ree t er
’
,
.
,

in Sep t emb er 1 80 8 in t h e t ow n of S urrey N H H i s

, , ,
. .

a e
g at t h e t i m e of h is decease I do n ot k n o w ; but

1 T h e U n ive rsalis t , J une 2 6 , 1 87 5 .

45 8 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

I do k n ow t hat he w as l ov in gl y spoke n of as t h e v e n
crabl e Zeb ul on St ree t er an d I am sure t hat he w as ,

revered .

The Ph iladelphia Con ven t io n of 1 7 96 con ven ed in

Philadelphia in O c t o ber The M in ut es of t h e sess io n
.

have n ot b ee n prese rved I t w a s a t ime of t rial i n .

al l rel ig ious de n o m in at i o n s an d t h e a tte n dan c e at t h e

,

Co n ve n t io n w as smal l T h e church i n P hil adelphia

.

repor t ed t hat t he ir n umb ers w ere f e w an d t hat t hey ,

had l o ng b e e n w it hout a min i s t er bu t of l a t e M r ,

.

Tho m as Jon es arrived from E urope an d w a s n ow t he ir ,

”

preacher .

”
We la e t , t hey
m n t h e cold an d lifeless st at e
of Chris t i an it y in g e n eral in t his day O f fallin g aw ay ,
.

B u t m ore e specially i n our sis t er churches w h o on ce ,

professed t o be for C h rist an d w er e zealous t o m eet an d ,

co n fer w it h each o t h er so m e of w ho m n e g lect ed t o se n d

,

le tt ers or m esse n g ers t o our last y early m ee t i n g ” .

Besides t h e P h ilade l phia church t h e churches of ,

N e w Brit a in an d N e w Ha n over w ere t h e o n ly on es t o

sen d repor t s .

Rev Tho m as J o n es t h e c lerk o f t h e sessio n an d

.
,

n e w ly se t t l ed pas t or in P hil ade l phia w a s a recen t a n d ,

val uab l e acquisit io n t o t h e U n iversal ist m in ist ry in

Am erica . He w as b orn at N arbat h Pe m b rokeshire , ,

S ou t h Wales A pril 5 1 7 6 3 an d w as educat ed for t h e

, , ,

Cal vi n ist ic M e t hod is t m in ist ry a t Tre v a cca Wales at , ,

t h e se mi n ary es t abli shed a n d support ed b y t h e Coun t

ess of Hu n t in g do n a zeal ous Wh it fie l dian M e t hodist
,
.

Graduat in g in 1 7 85 he w as at o n ce orda in ed an d se t
,

t l e d a t Berks En gl an d, I n 1 7 88 he w as b roug h t by
.

t h e s t udy O f t h e S cr i p t ures t o t h e b el i ef of U n i versa l

 C OS T OF LI VI NG . 45 9

i sm , whi ch he at on ce open ly professed an d preache d .

H is church i n s t ead of Cas t in g h im off severed i t s c on ,

n e c t i on w it h t h e M e t hodis t s a n d ret a in ed h i m t ill his ,

rem oval t o t his cou n t ry eigh t years l at er He came , .

here at th e
earn est desire of Rev Joh n M urray w h o .
,

w a s in t erest ed in se tt lin g a pas t or in Phi l ade l phia .

E ig h t years aft er co m i n g t o Am erica he moved t o ,

Gl oucest er M ass a n d became pas t or of t h e church

, .
,

t here w here he rem ain ed u n t il h i s dea t h Aug us t 2 0

, , ,

1 846 .

As in t im a t ed a b ove t h i s w a s a t ry i n g year for reli

,

gi o n s orga n iz a t ion s ; n ot o n l y on accoun t of t h e p rev e

l e n ce Of in fidel n ot io n s w hich had in fect ed som e of t h e ,

s o—ca ll ed w ise m e n of t h e n a t io n a n d w ere i n m a n y ,

cases regarded aft er th e exa m pl e of Fra n ce b y man y

, ,

Of t h e co m m on peop le as an adj u n c t of Democracy ,

bu t a lso on accou n t of t h e ext re m e h ig h prices of t h e

n ecessaries of life This scarcit y an d h ig h price w as
.

due t o t h e w a r t hen p reva ilin g on t h e co n t in en t of

E urope M r M urray men t i on s i t as b ein g exceedin gly
. .

e m b arrassi n g t o salaried me n I n a le t t er t o Rev Rob . .

e rt Reddin g he says ,

I su ffer m uch f ro m it t hou g h I have t w e n t y t w o ,

-

dollars a w eek B u t I pay four hun dre d dollars a y e ar

.

for m y hous e an d have bu t n in e p oun ds of bread for a

,

dollar five poun ds of but t er for a dollar a g ood p iece of

, ,

beef 9 d a poun d veal 7 d ve g et ables dear i n propor

.
,
.
,

t io n ; m il k 6 d a quart e gg s 1 3 a doze n ; w ood be f ore it

'

.
,
.
,

is p u t on t h e fir e six dollars a cord We h ave n o o t her

,
.

fuel here We g ive ou r m aid in t h e kit che n (is a w e e k

.
. .

We burn t w en t y fiv e cords of w ood a year You m ay

- .

jud g e fr o m t his rou gh ske t ch h ow it is at presen t in t h is

cou n t ry At t his t im e I do n ot kn o w a dearer coun t ry
.
46 0 -
UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

to live i n in t h e w orld B . ut t hese are m erely t e m porary

ills We e n courag e hope
. it w ill be bet t er w he n t h e w ar
is over ” .

Rev Du n can . M cLe a n i

w r t es t o a frie n d from his
home in Loudon Co .
, Virg in ia
I preach st at edly in Alexan dria t o g reat au die n ces ,

an d i n s e v e ral o t her places at con siderable dist an ces

fro m m y ow n resid e n ce This is at t en ded w i t h t oil a n d
.
,

m y support hit h ert o hat h bee n i n con siderable ; i n fact ,

I have oft en sn fi e r e d respect in g t h e co n ven ie n ces of

”
life .

The church at Pi ke Ru n ,
P en n sy l van ia report ed ,

co n cern in g t he ir m in i s t er
beloved brot her Abel S arje n t w h o has fait hfully
Ou r ,

labored t hese four years in t his coun t ry is n ow w e ,

e xpect about t o leave us We h ave n o room t o say .

p

au g ht a g ain st it for he h as fait hfully labored a n d has

, ,

bee n in st ru men t al in co n vin cin g very m an y an d w e m ay ,

say i t has been chiefl y upo n his ow n charg es ; a n d he is

n ow t hereby so reduce d t hat he is i n a likely w a y t o be

dist ress e d by t h e l a w for w an t of cash t o defray his

n ecessary char g es i n life a n d w e can n o t hel
, p h i m be ,

c ause it is impossible t o obt ai n cash i n t his coun t ry .

At a lit t l e la t er da t e t han t h i s Rev Georg e Richards , .

,

in a l et t er t o Rev E dw ard Turn er urgin g h im t o set t l e

.
,

in G l oucest er M ass sai d

,
.
,
'

“
I t hin k it im probable t h at t heir presen t c ir cu mst an
ces w ill adm it of more t han seve n dollars per S abbat h ;
bu t w i t h t h e addit io n of m arri a g es p r ese n t s & c it w ill , , .
,

amou n t t o m ore a n d I should supp ose t hat you mi ght

,

coun t on four hun dred an d fi ft y dollars a y e ar I .

sh ould i m ag in e t h at m uch of your fam ily s s u pp ort w as ’

 ELHANAN WI NC HESTER . 46 1

derived fro m preachin g ; a n d as t h e coun t ry bre t h ren

sel d om rise above five dollars a n d as t hey seldo m e m ,

p loy t h e w h ole y ear t hat co n seque n t ly your prospec t s

,

are n ot above t w o hun dred dollars cash per ye ar ; an d ‘

t his acquir e d by a n imm e n sit y of ridi n g a n d t ravellin g

i n all w e at h e rs ” .

M Ri chards w as oblig ed t o g i ve a large port ion of

r .

his t im e t o schoo l t each in g in order t o ob t ain e n ou gh ,

t o support his fa m il y ; a n d t h e sa m e w as t rue Of M r .

Jo n es in Phi lade l phia This s t at e of aff airs n at ural ly

.

accou n t s for t h e in act ivit y of m an y of t h e preachers a n d

con g reg at i on s as lam e n t ed over by t h e Co n ven t i on
, .

M r Win chest er preached in Philade lph ia durin g t h e

.

w in t er a n d sprin g O f 1 7 96 Dr Rush in a l et t er da t ed . .
,

M arch 4t h says ,

M Win che st er preache s on S un d ay eve n in g s t o

r .

cro w ded aud ie n ces bu t t hey are co m posed chiefl y of t h e

,

seco n d an d lo w er classes of our cit izen s He is as usu al .

,

eloquen t script ural a n d irresist ible i n his reaso n i n g s

, ,

upo n all subj ect s ” .

The fo ll o w in g J un e h i s healt h fail ed so rap idl y t hat

,

M r W in ches t er w e n t t o N e w York w here h e spe n t

.
,

several m o n t hs bu t w a s pro b ably u n a b le t o preach A

,
.

year b efore at t h e sugg es t ion of H on Ti m o t hy Picker

,
.

i n g w it h w ho m he e n j oyed an in t i ma t e acqua in t an ce
, ,

”
he had w ritt e n an d pu blished a Po li t ica l Ca t echism “
,

w hich he dedicat ed t o t h e un ivers it i es an d se m i n aries

of l earn in g in Ameri ca I n it he w arn s t h e peopl e of .

t h e U n it ed S t a t es Of

“
the ban eful e ffect s of i n fidelit y a n d lucidly exposes ,

t h e evil t e n de n cy of Fre n ch pri n ciples I t is w ell cal c u .

lat ed t o i m pre ss t h e m i n ds of A me r ican yout h w it h a .

46 2 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

se n se of t h e value of t heir re lig ious an d civil libert y ,

a n d of t h e im por t a n ce of t heir cou n t ry i n a polit ical a n d

co m m e rcial view I t w a s g e n erally ap pr ove d a n d passed

.
,

t hroug h several edi t ion s By m an y i t w a s t houg ht w el l

.

adapt ed t o t h e use of sch ools an d it a p pears t hat n e g o ,

t i at i on s w ere com m e n ced by his frie n ds i n Provide n ce

” 1
for t h e supp ly of t h e N e w E n g la d
n S t a es
t .

Aw are of h is rap i dly approachin g dea t h M r Win ,

.

chest er w as so li cit ous for t h e fu t ure m a in t e n an ce of h is

w ife ; a n d t o t his e n d co n t e m p l at ed g ivi n g t o t h e w orl d

a rev ised an d u n ifor m ed it i o n of his w r it in g s He n ce .

hi s removal t o N e w York w here he in te n ded t o super ,

vi se t hi s w ork The p l an d id n ot succeed ; prob ably

.

h i s st ren g t h did n ot al lo w t h e care an d lab or w h i ch

t h e proj ec t de m an ded Dr Fra n ci s says : Win ches
. .

t er s Lec t ures on Un i versa l Res t orat i o n an d on t h e

’

Prophecies h a d bee n circul at ed in N e w York w it h a

, ,

s t ro n g reco m me n dat ory l e tt er in t he ir b ehal f fr om t h e

p e n of Dr Be
. n j a m i n Rush 2
Th is may have b een a .
”

n e w N e w Y ork ed it i o n .

Dur in g his st ay in N e w Y ork M r W in ch es t er e u , .

j oyed a frie n d ly in t imacy w it h G overn or Jay an d ot her ,

dist i n g uis hed g e n t l eme n w h o w ere more or l ess in

,

sympat hy w it h h i s vi e w s I n O ct o b er he w e n t t o
.

H art ford Co n n Hav in g d in ed he saun t ered ou t t o

, .
,

v ie w t h e p lace .

Observin g a fun eral processio n he join ed it an d ,

e n t ered t h e e n closure of t h e dead The asse m blag e w as .

larg e an d t h e sce n e t o h im sole m n an d a ffect in g Ad

, .
.

dre sses at t h e g rave w ere t he n of frequen t occurre n ce .

1 St on e
’
s Lif e of Win ch e ste r , p 224
. .

2
Ol d N e w Y or k , p 94. .
 ELHANAN WINC HES T ER . 463

The place an d occasio n in duced in h i m a st ro n g desire

t o S peak t o his dy i n g fello w m e n -
The coffi n w as just
.

lo w ere d in t o it s eart hly r e ce pt acle w he n h e arre st ed t h e

,

at t e n t io n of t h e m ult it u de by breaki n g fo rt h i n t h e sub

lim e w ords of Jesus t o t h e affl ict ed sist ers of L azar us I ,

a m t h e resurrect io n a n d t h e lif e T h e effect w as el e c

’
.

t ric . A s t rai n of al mos t sup ern at u ral eloque n ce n ow

salut e d t h e e a r a n d en g ag e d t h e eag er g a ze of t h e sp e ll
,

bo u n d t hro n g T h e st ran g er s m an n e r his clerical habit

.
’
, ,

a n d t h e s e pulc h ral hue of his coun t e n a n ce con s p ir e d t o ,

ag it at e t he ir he art s w it h various an d i n de scribable e mo

tio n s ; an d t h e t e arful eye of m an y g ave evide n ce t o t h e
po w er of his r e m arks If t h e t h o u ght ful w e re im presse d
.

w it h t h e i m port an ce of livi n g for d eat h a n d e t e r n it y t h e ,

Christ ian m our n er could rejoice i n t h e i mm ort al hop e s

O f t h e g os p el ; an d w h e n h e ceased t o speak t h e i n quir ,

ies Wh o is he
, V Vh e n ce cam e he broke s p on t a n e
ou s l y fro m every lip .

There w ere at t h is t ime several g en t le me n in Hart

,

ford w h o cheris h ed a kin dred fait h Wit h t h e se M r . .

Wi n che st er w as n ot lo n g i n form i n g an acquain t an ce ,

a n d a t t h e h ouse of on e O f t h e m h e con t i n ue d t o reside

-

un t il his de c e ase Whe n it be cam e n oised abroad t h at

.

t h e st ran g er at t h e g rave w a s a cl e rg y m an a g e n eral de ,

sire w as ex p re ss e d t o h ear h im p r e ach M r Wi n ch est er

. .

accordi n g ly de livered on e or t w o lect ures t h at w eek I n .

t h e m ea n t i m e arran g e m e n t s w ere m at ured for t h e p e r

f or m a n c e of public w orship on t h e app roachi n g S abbat h .

N O bui l din g or hall s u fii c i e n t l y ca p acious bei n g ava il a

bl e t h e t h eat re w as first O bt ai n e d for t hat purpose ; an d
,

t h us p r obably for t h e first t i m e i n ou r cou n t ry a house

, ,

of plays w a s co n vert ed i n t o a house of praye r Here .

t h e m e e t i n g s w ere re p eat ed w i t h e n coura g i n g success A .

re s pe ct able co n g re g at io n soo n g at h ered a n d had M r ,

.

Wi n chest er be e n w illi n g t o accept a perman en t se t t l e

m n t a m e e t i n g h ouse w ould have bee n erect ed an d a
e
,
- .
,
4 64 U NI V ERSALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

societ y org an ize d He con t in ue d t o p reach i n t h e t h e a

.

t r e every L ord s day an d i n on e O f t h e m ee t i n g hou s es

’ -
,

on We dn es day eve n i n g s u n t il t h e be g i n n i n g of Dece m

ber w h e n in co n s e quen ce of t h e i n cle m e n t w eat her

, , ,

a cham be r i n t h e house of M r T h o mas Tisdale (an .

arde n t frien d) capable of acco mm o dat in g about four

,

h un dre d person s w a s fi tt ed up for reli g ious w orship

, .

Here M r Wi n chest e r co n t in ued his meet in g s un t il dis

.

e ase co n fi n ed h i m t o t h e bed of deat h His t ex t s w e re .

g e n erally sele ct ed from t h e P e n t at euc h t h e Psal m s t h e , ,

book of Isaiah an d t h e Revelat io n s ; a n d his d iscourses

,

probably r an m uch on t h e t y pes of t h e l a w t h e pro m ises ,

of t h e g ospel an d t h e fulfil me n t of prophecy

,
1
.
’

S om e t w o m o n t hs b efore
W in chest er w e n t t o M r .

N e w York a move m e n t w as comme n ced w hich r e

,

su l t e d in th e format i o n of a Un i versali s t soci e t y in t hat

c it y The circum st an ces are t hus rel at ed by on e w h o

.

t ook an act ive part i n organ i zin g an d sus t a in in g t h e e n

t e rp ris e t h e l a t e Rev E d w ard M it che ll
,
.

arch or on t h e aft ern oon of Friday t h e 1 st

L at e i n M , ,

of April 1 7 96 George Robert s w h o w e believe w as

, , ,

t he n t h e presidi n g elder of t h e M e t h odist socie t y of t h e

cit y of N e w York called on Abraham E Brouw er at his
,
.
,

hous e an d in form ed h im t hat he di d n ot co m e t o co n t ro

,

vert t h e subject of un iversal salvat io n w it h h im bu t t o ,

in for m h im t hat as h e held t hat doct rin e it w a s n ot

, ,

proper t h at he should at t h e sam e t im e hold an Offi ce in

t h e ch ur ch T h e reply of M r Brou w er w a s
. I have f re .
,

que n t ly O f fered my class paper t o M r Dicke n s a n d h e -

.
,

has as O ft e n refused t o t ake it ; bu t n ow sir you are , ,

w elco m e t o i t an d accordi n g ly han ded it t o h i m Whe n

’
.
,

M r Robert s w a s about t o g o aw ay Robert S n o w w h o

.
, ,

had lon g been t h e i n t i m at e frie n d of M r Brouw er, pre .

1
S t on e
’
s L if e of Win che st e r , pp 2 2 7 2 2 9
.
-
.
 ORG ANI ATI ON I N N EW
Z Y ORK .
46 5

se n t ed h i m self fro m t h e st ree t an d t h e t erm brot her ,

" ’

w as rec i procat ed be t w ee n t he m M r Ro bert s w e n t a w ay . .

,

a n d M r Sn o w w e n t in
. He w as soon i n formed of w h at .

had t ake n place a n d aft er so m e con versat io n M r S n o w

, , .

came t o t h e h ouse of t h e w r it er an d asked hi m t o g o ,

w i t h h im t o Bro t h er Brou w er s Here t h e w rit er w as ’

.

soon in formed of w hat had t ake n place Aft er a lon g .

co n sult at ion w e t houg ht it probable t hat t h e in t e n t io n of

,

M r Robert s w a s t o follow up his a ct of discipl i n e by e x

.

pul sion ; bu t t o pu t t h e m at t er beyo n d doubt w e de t er

, ,

m in ed t o w ait on h i m t h e n ext m orn in g w hich w e did , .

M r S n ow w as our spokes m an a n d i n formed h i m t hat our

.
,

visit w as in con sequen ce of h i s visi t Of t h e precedin g eve n

i n g t o ou r brot her Brouw er a n d t hat w e t hou g ht t hat as
, ,

he h ad t ake n fro m M r Brou w er his class paper perhaps .

-
,

he in t en de d t o exco mm u n icat e His reply w as That .

,
‘

w as my i n t e n t io n He w as t he n t old t hat on t h e subject

.
’

of relig io n w e w ere all of on e m in d ; t hat w ha t he ih

t e n ded t o do w it h on e w e supposed he w ould do w i t h ,

all ; an d t hat as it w as n ot comm on t o exclude fro m a

relig ious socie t y for a m ere differe n ce of opin io n an d as ,

w e w ere al l m e n i n busi n ess ou r c h ar act ers w ere dear t o ,

us a n d w e request e d t hat h e w ould be so g ood as t o gi ve

,

us a cert ificat e st at in g t hat it w as n ot for an y i mmoralit y

of con duct bu t for t his differen ce t h at w e w ere t hus ex
, ,

cluded He a n sw ered t hat t here w o u ld be a m ee t in g of

.

t h e l eaders t hat eve n i n g a n d t hat he w ould lay t h e m at ,

t e r b efore t he m .

I n t h e course of t h e da y w e w ait e d on M r Dan iel .

S mit h , w h o ha d form erly bee n a set t led pre acher i n t h e

city bu t w h o w as t hen a local p reacher an d w it h w ho m
, ,

w e w ere on ve ry g ood t erm s O f i n t i m acy an d of w ho m w e ,

request ed t hat as he w ould be a t t h e m ee t in g t hat e ve n

,

in g he w ould n ot a dvocat e our cause bu t urg e a decisio n

, ,

of it The mee t in g w a s held a n d t h e subj ect of t h e

. ,

mor n in g st at e d M r S m it h asked M r Robert s Brot her ‘

. .
.

V OL . I. 30
46 6 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Robert s do you ask our O pin i on t h at you may kn ow w hat

,

w e t h i n k, or t hat you ma y be g overn ed by it Th e

an sw er w a s : I can n ot say t hat I w ill be g overn ed by
’
your Opin ion u n less it ag re es w it h my ow n The meet .

i n g broke up w it hout co m i n g t o an y decis i on .

Thin kin g oursel ves agg rieved by t h e sit uat io n in

w hich M r Ro b
. ert s ’
con duct had placed us, w e w rot e h im
a n o t e on t h e subj ect urg in g h i m t o a dec i sion of our
,

case ; t hat if upon fai r i n quiry w e should b e deem ed

w or t hy of expul sio n , he w ould proceed t o t hat w i t hout

delay ; t hat i f t h e co n t rary he w ould t hen publicl y ao

,

kn ow ledge u s as accep t abl e m e m bers of t h e M et hodist

church in t h e cit y of N e w York The an s w er w as t hat
.
,

he w as ye t of t h e sam e m in d as he w as w hen he con

versed w ith us an d t hat he w ould act a ccord ing l y un less
, ,

w e w ould previously w it hdraw Aft er w ait in g t wo w eeks

.
,

an ot her n ot e w as w rit t e n t o h im st ill urgin g him t o a

, .

decisio n ; an d i f it w as n ot ag reeable t o him t o do t his

publicly t hen proposin g a m ore privat e on e by a n o t e
, ,

fro m h i m an d furn ishin g a form of privat e exclusio n

,

an d on e of co n t i n uan ce n ot w it hs t an d in g our bein g U n i

,

ve r sal i st s . This was an s w ered by a n ot e st at in g t hat he

,

had foun d t hat it w a s his duty n ot t o be hast y i n h i s

c o n clusio n s, an d t hat n eit her aut horit y n or reso l ut io n

w ere w an t i n g in h i m t o car ry t his busi n ess i n t o e f fect .

To us t his appeared very much like sayin g I w ill exclu de ,

you bu t I w ill choose m y ow n t i me t o do i t We also

’

.
,

t hou ght t hat he mi ght hope by del ayin g t h e exercise of

,
.

t h e aut horit y w h i ch he supposed he had t o fin d so me t hi n g

,

else t h at w ould serve as an excuse i n depen de n t of our

reli g ious opin i o n s ; an d aft er w ait i n g an ot her w eek w e
, ,

t ook l eave of h i m an d t h e churc h t o w h ich he b elo n g ed

by a n ot e, say in g :

Sm, As y ou can n ot , or wi ll n ot, do u s th ejusti ce t o w hich

w e are en t itl ed, w e do n ot ch oose an y lon g e r t o c on tin ue in t hi s
 O RGANI ATI ON I N NEW Z Y ORK . 46 7

c on dit i on . T he re f ore , f r om t h e dat e h e r e of w e sh a ll no lon ge r

l
c on side r ou rse ve s as me mbers of t h e M e t h odist S ocie t y ,
n or su b

j e ct i
t o i t s pre car ou s disc p i n e i l

AB M . E B . ROU WE R .

RO B T S N OW . .

E D WA RD M I T CH E LL .

NE W YO RK , 2 ot h A pril , 1 7 9 6 .

S om e t i m e aft er , we w ere read ou t O f the M e t hodist

S ocie t y as w i t hdr a w n .

T h e circu m st a n c e s i n t h e above st at e me n t are correct ;

for t hou g h it is n ow m ore t han t hir t y seve n y e ars si n ce -
,

t hey t ook place t h ey w e re of such in t erest i n t h eir n at ure

, ,

an d of so m uch i m port an ce i n t heir result s — t hey have ,

bee n so oft en t h e subject O f co n versat ion bot h w it h frien ds

an d e n e m ies — t hat t hey could n ot be easily for g ot t e n an d
, ,

t hey are n ow fresh i n t h e m e m ory of t h e w ri t er ; an d t h e

m ore so as a di fl e r e n ce of opin ion has e v er exist ed be
,
.

t w ee n h im an d M r B r ou w er relat ive t o t heir separat ion

.

fro m t h e M et hodist Church ;— t h e lat t er in sist in g t hat ,

t h e y had o n ly w it hdraw n w hile t h e form er m ain t ain e d

,

t hat t h ey had b e e n as li t erally t urn ed ou t as t h at m a n

had bee n w h o hav i n g bee n in vit ed i n t o a house w as
, ,

aft er w ards t old t hat un less he t ook his leave he shoul d

be pu t ou t by force ; an d aft er so m e alt ercat io n t h oug h t
, ,

fit t o w al k ou t Was he or w as he n ot t ur n ed ou t
.
The
ori gi n al let t ers of M r Robert s are n ow in exist e n ce as
. ,

are also t h e roug h dr aft s of t h e le t t e rs of B S an d M .

,
.
,
.
,

i n t h e han dw ri t i n g of Robert S n o w .

Thus sit uat ed belo n g in g t o n o church w e seriously

, ,

co n side re d w hat w as our dut y as professors of reli g io n ,

on t h e subject of w orship We kn e w t hat w e c o u ld read

.

t h e S crip t u res t o g e t her p r ay t o God f or eac h o t her S in g

, ,

t h e praise of God our S a v i ou i a n d be h e lpers t o each ,

o t her i n our co m m on fait h We t h erefore de t erm in ed t o .

w ors h ip t o g et h er hopi n g for t h e e n joy m e n t of th e p ro m

,
46 8 UNI VERS ALI S M I N A M E RI CA .

ise of Christ t hat w h ere fi r m or t hree are g at hered t o

,

g e t her i n his n am e he w ould be w i t h t he m

,
.

As i t is n ecessary t hat w herever m e n associat e for

an y per man e n t purpose t hey should dis t in ct ly u n ders t an d

by w hat rules t hey w ould g overn t he m selves i n t he i r

associat e charact er so w e t houg ht it best t o gat her up
,

t hese rules ; a n d While w e w ere e n g ag e d in t his w ork,

sun dry person s w h o had previously belon g ed t o t h e M et h
odist S ociet y an d w h o w it h us hoped for t h e fi n al hap
.

p in e ss of all me n un it ed w it h us a n d am on g t hese Bar n e t

, ,

M oon ey a hi g hly est ee m ed frie n d w h ose sou n d, g ood

, ,

se n se w as of g reat se rvice t o u s in t h e format io n of our

co n st it ut ion : he w a s t h e w rit er of t h e preamble t o it .

By it s t it le w e fin d it s dat e for i t i s called ‘Con s ti t ut io n

,

of t h e S oc i et y O f U n i t ed Christ ian Fri e n ds, est ablished

at N e w York, M ay 1 7 ,

“ This co n s t it ut io n is si n ed by Ab raham E Brou er

g w .
,

pres ide n t , an d Jacob Cli n ch clerk , .

I n t h e course of t his year w e m ade a s mall select io n

of hy mn s for our ow n use an d published t hem w it h our ,

co n st it ut i o n an n exed The preface t o t his litt le b ook

.

w as w ri t t e n by Robert S n o w a n d w e fin d it sig n ed by ,

Abraha m E Brou w er elder an d Jacob Cli n ch, clerk

.
, , .

“
The pro min e n t feat ures of t his con st it ut io n w ere as
follow s
Art i cle I declared t h e t it le
. Un it ed Chri st ian ,
’
Frie n ds .

Art i c le II sec 1 , required t hat an elder b e chose n by

. .

b allot t o serve on e ye ar an d n ot t o be eli gibl e for t h e

,

succeedin g year ; an d his duty w as t o w at ch over t h e in

t e re st s of t h e societ y S e c 2 require s a s t ew ard t o be
. .

chosen by b allot for on e yea r a n d n ot t o b e e l i g ible for ,

t h e succ ee din g ye ar t o receive a n d pay al l m o n eys t o

, ,
’
provide for th e L ord s S upper an d feas t of charit y an d ,

report his accoun t s every t hree m o n t hs Se c 3 requires . .

a clerk t o b e chosen by b allot t o serve on e year, t o keep

 ORGANI ATI ON I N NEW Z Y ORK . 46 9

the M in ut es a n d re g ist er t h e n am es of t h e m e mbers of

,

t h e socie t y .

“
Ar t icle III divides t h e socie t y in t o classes of n ot
.
,

m ore t han t w elve n or l e ss t han S i x e ach class t o choose

, ,

it s ow n leader w h ose dut y it w a s t o see eac h m e mbe r

,

o n ce a w e ek t o i n quire aft er t he ir spirit ual w elfare an d

, ,

t o a dvise r e prove i n love co m fort or exhort as occasi on

, , , ,

m ig h t r e quir e t o report t o t h e elder a n d st e w a r d t h e cas e

of such in his class as w ere sick or n eedy ; a n d t h ey
t h ree or a majorit y of t he m t o g ive t h e re quisit e relief
, ,
.

The leade r w a s n ot t o serve t h e sam e class for m ore t h an

t hr ee m o n t hs succ e ssively .

Ar t icle IV sec 1 requires t h e observan c e O f t h e

. .
,

L ord s S upper
’
S e c 2 app oi n t s t h e first S un day eve n in g
. .

of each m on t h t o cel e brat e a feast of charit y t o co n t in ue ,

t w o hours t h e last t h re e quart ers t o be appro p riat ed t o

,

S peaki n g of par t icular experie n ce S e c 3 says t h e s o . .

c i e t y s h all m ee t at co n ve n ie n t t i m es for w orshi p a n d

m ut ual e di ficat i on S e c 4 appoi n t s t h e fo u rt h Tuesday

. .

of M ay in each yea r t o elect t he ir s e rv an t s S e c 5 a p . . .

poin t s t h e fir st Tuesday i n February M ay Aug ust an d , , ,

N ove m ber t o t ran sact busi n ess .

Art icle V provides for t h e recept io n of n e w m e m bers

.
,

w h o m us t h a v e bee n previously appro ve d u n an i m ously ,

an d w ere requi r e d t o an s w e r i n t h e a fii r m at i v e on bein g

quest ion e d (1 ) AS t o belief i n t h e exist e n ce of God t h e

,

Creat o r an d accoun t abilit y at t h e day of judg m e n t

,
.

Fai h i n Jesus C h ris t as t h e p ro m ised M e ssiah an d

( 2 ) t ,

t h at he w as se n t i n t o t h e w orld for t h e salvat io n of m a n

kin d (3 ) T h at t h e S cript ures are a revelat io n fro m God
. ,

a n d a sufficie n t r ule of fait h a n d pract ice (4) A det er .

m i n at io n t o be devot ed t o God (5 ) A p u n ct ual at t e n d .

an ce on t h e m e an s of g race These an sw ers b e i n g g iven .

,

t h e elder g ave t h e ri g ht ha n d of fello w ship i n t h e pres -

e n ce O f t h e societ y .

“
Art icle V I ack n o w le dg es bapt is m as an ordin an ce of
.
47 0
-
U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t h e g ospel ; bu t as t o t h e s ubj ect s an d m ode of a dmi n is

t eri n g , each m e m ber is left t o his ow n discre t ion .

“
Art icle VII is of
expulsio n of m e m bers an d
. t he ,

make s t h e rule as foun d i n M at t h e w xvii i 1 5 —1 7 . .

“
A rt icle VIII is of la w s a n d requires t h e asse n t of
.
,

t hree fo u r t hs O f t h e me m bers prese n t before t h e l a w

-
,

s hall pass .

These art ic le s close w it h a declarat ion of w il lin gn ess

t o perm it t h e use of t heir r e li g ious m ean s t o Chris t ian s
of a n y n ame provided t h e part y h e first i n t roduced t o
,

t h e e lder by a me m ber .

I t is a m att er of re g re t t h at t h e firs t church book of

t h e socie t y is n ot n ow t o be fou n d The on e n ow in use .

be g in s w it h a con st it ut io n diff erin g from t h e first a n d is ,

dat ed Au g ust 1 1 7 98 The list of m e m bers w h ich i m

, .

m edia t e ly follo w s be g in s w it h t h e dat e of 1 7 96 M ay 1 , ,

w hich appears t o fix t h e d a y O f t h e societ y s bein g

’

formed Fourt ee n n am es are Of t h is dat e an d it is n ot

.

u n w ort hy of n ot ice t hat of t he se four t een t e n are n ow ,

dead On e soo n ret u rn ed t o E n glan d his n at ive coun

.
,

t ry a n d h as n ever sin ce bee n i n Am erica ; on e has for

,

som e t i me bee n preven t e d by ill healt h fro m t aki n g an

act ive part ; on e appears n o lon g er in t erest ed S o t h at .

of t h e fou n ders t h e w rit er alo n e is left (Jun e

,
an ,

act ive me m ber of t h e S ociet y of U n i t ed Chris t ian Frie n ds .

The societ y firs t w orshipped in a roo m i n t h e house O f

Abraham E Brouw e r bu t t h e n um ber of t h e m e m be rs
.
,

i n creasin g it w as j u d g ed expedie n t t o build ; a n d a house

,

w a s accordin g ly erec t ed n ear w here t h e free E piscopal

chur ch i n Van de w at er St reet n ow st a n ds S hort ly aft er .

t h e erec t io n of t he i r first house t h e w rit er proposed t hat ,

t h e socie t y should b e i n corporat ed bu t i t w a s n ot a p ,

proved His secular aff airs calli n g h im t o re m ove from

.

t h e cit y he w a s abse n t part O f 1 7 98 an d 1 7 9 9 re t u r n i n g

, ,

M ay 1 7 9 9
,
Durin g h i s abse n ce M r M urray of Bos t on
.
, .

visit ed t h e ci t y a n d pre ac h ed, bu t n ot in t h e house of t h e

 ORGANI ATI ON I N NEW
Z Y ORK . 47 1

socie t y N ove mber 12 1 800 it w as de t ermin ed t hat a

.
, ,

pro p osit ion made a m o n t h previous t o h ave t h e societ y

b e co m e a body corporat e an d t o hold an elect io n on t h e
,

1 7 t h i n st for t rus t ees should be accept ed

.
, An d t h e .

elect ion w as held accordi n g ly on t h e 1 7 t h of N ovem be r ,

1 800 . On Dece m ber 3 of t h e sam e year Robert S h aw ,

declin ed act in g an y lo n g er as elder A de put at ion i m .

m ediat ely w ait ed on hi m t o p e rsuade hi m t o co n t i n ue ;

bu t his an sw er w as t hat he cou l d n o lon g er hold t hat
o ffi ce for w hich he foun d hi m self i n adequat e He an d .

M r Brouw er left t h e socie t y at t h is t im e an d t heir n am e s

.
,

have opposit e t hem t h e w ord w ithdr a w n Decem ber .

1 5 1 80 0 an oth er con st it ut io n w as adopt ed som et h i n g

, , ,

diff ere n t from t h e secon d in asmu ch as i t en t i rely om it s

,

class m eet i n g s M arch 2 4 180 7 t h e con st it ut ion w hich

-
.
, ,

has g overn ed t h e societ y ever sin ce w as adopt ed I t diff ers .

fro m t hose precedin g by o m it t in g t h e feast of cha rit y .

Whe n i t is co n sidered t h at t h e first me mbers of t h e

societ y h a d all been m em bers of t h e M e t hodis t socie t y ,

i t is n ot t o be w o n dered a t t hat t hey shoul d ha ve cl ass

me e t in g s an d t h e feast of ch ar ity The first is w ell cal .

c u l a t e d for t hose w h o k n ow lit t le m ore of reli g io n t h an

t h at t hey desire t o fl e e from t h e w rat h t o co m e ; a n d for

such w e believe it w as fir st prin cipally in t en ded ; an d
if co n t i n ued w it h proprie t y m ay be useful t o t h ose w h o
hav e m ade furt her pro gre ss in t h e fait h An d t h e feas t .

of charit y as con duct ed am o n g t h e M et hodist s m ay w i t h

, , ,

t heir vie w s of reli g ion be very profi t able t o t he m

,
In .

t h e S ocie t y of Un ite d C h ris t ian Frie n ds i t w a s a ve ry

t e mperat e repast a frie n d ly social m e al ; an d i t s t e n
, ,

de n cy w as t o refresh t h e w earied m i n d an d t o cem en t ,

t h e bon d of brot herhood The o n ly dan g er t o be app r e

.

he n ded fro m such m ee t i n g s is t hat in co n versat ion so m e

,
l

may be led t o expre ss t he m selves i n a w ay t hat m ay

appear like de bat e ; an d t his m ust ever be un profi t able .

If i t be asked Why, t he n , w ere t h e class mee t i n g s an d

,
-
47 2 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

feast s O f charit y laid aside t h e an s w er is easy N eit he r .

of t he m is t h e co mm an d of God a n d t h erefore n ot st rict ly ,

O bli g at ory on me n T h e fir st w as obse r ved f or m ore

.

t han four years a n d t h e las t for more t h a n t e n years .

Durin g t his t i m e m an y m e m bers w e re ad ded t o t h e

socie t y w h o for various reaso n s co n sidered t hese in s t i
, ,

t u t i on s as n ot required of God n or n ec e ssary i n t he m ,

selv e s a n d t herefore in t h e for mat io n of t h e p rese n t

,

co n s t it ut io n t h e y w ere o m it t ed I n Jun e 1 803 t h e .

, ,

societ y det ermin e d t hat t h e w rit er be ordai n ed as a re g u

lar m in ist er an d he w a s ordai n ed accordin g ly on t h e 1 8t h
,

of July i n t hat year ” 1 .

M r M it che ll
. at i ve of th e n ort h of Ire l an d
w as a n ,

an d i n early life w as a b ookse ller At t h e t i me he .

cam e ou t from t h e M et hodi st church t h e f orm o f U n i

v e r s a li s m e n t er t ai n ed b y him an d b y his associa t es w as

t hat preached b y M r Wi n chest er bu t aft er t h e preach

.
,

in g of M r M urray in N e w York a ll uded t o in t h e

.
,

ex t ract j ust g ive n M r M it chell an d t h e socie t y g en erally

.

b ecame Rellya n s .

I n 1 8 1 0 M r M it chell set t l ed in Bos t o n as t h e co l

.

l eague Of Rev Joh n M urray ; bu t aft er a year s ah

.
’

sen ce he re t urn ed t o N e w York an d w as re set t l ed

, ,
-

as pas t or of t h e Socie t y of Un it ed Chri s t ian F r ien ds .

I n 1 8 1 8 t hey b u ilt a n d t ook possession of a n e w house

Of w orsh i p at t h e corn er of Duan e an d Aug us t us s t ree t s .

M r M it chell di ed Au g 8 1 83 4
. H O W l on g aft er h i s
.
,
.

deat h t h e meet in g s w ere co n t in ued if at all w e are n ot , ,

in formed M r Cook says in t h e le t ter referred t o in

. .
,

t h e foo t n ot e :

1 T h e C h r is t ian U n iv e rsal ist , by E dw ar d M it ch e l l , pp 2 5 —3 4 . .

2 k
S e e a l e t t e r f rom E dw a r d C oo , t h e l as t pr e sidin g e l de r of t h e
soc ie t y,
in t h e C h r ist ia n A mba ssa dor , M ay 7 , 1 85 3 .
 DR . J OSEP H P RI EST LEY . 47 3

re g ard t o t h e socie t y t hou g h dorman t , it y e t ex

In ,

ist s .I t s propert y is in t h e ha n ds O f t rus t ees an d w h e n ,

i n t h e provide n ce O f God h e shal l se n d a preach e r like

t h e lame n t ed M it chell i t s m e m bers w ill be ga t hered
,

fr o m t h e churches t o w hich t hey ha ve bee n scat t e red ,

a n d a g ai n fo r m a bo dy of U n it ed C h ris t ia n Frien ds
‘
.
’

Th i s w as w rit t e n t h irt y y ears ag o The presen t c on

.

dit ion Of t h e soc i et y s aff airs i s u n k n o w n

’
.

I n t h e w in t er of 1 7 96 Dr Joseph P ri es t ley g ave a

,
.

series of D i scourses re l at i n g t o t he E vi den ces of

“

Reveal ed Religi o n i n
”
t h e
“
Church o f th e U n iversal
is t s at P hil adel ph ia .T h ey w ere a t on ce prin t ed mak ,

in g an oct avo vo l u m e of 42 6 pages The secon d part

O f Thomas P a in e s
“
Age of Reason W a s publi shed i n
’

t hat ci t y durin g t h e de li very of t hese d is co urses an d ,

man y Of it s pos it io n s w ere crit i ci sed an d refu t ed b y

Dr Pri est l ey I n t h e co n clud in g d iscourse occurs t h e
. .

foll ow in g l an gu ag e S ho w i n g w hat he regarded as

,

t h e t each in g s o f revel a t i o n on t h e s u bj ec t o f hu man

dest in y
A familiar acquain t a n ce w it h t h e S cript ures w ill p r e
serve upo n t h e m i n d a live ly se n se of God an d his m oral
g overn m e n t .I t w ill co n t in ually brin g in t o vie w an d ,

g ive you a h a b i t of co n t e m plat in g t h e g re at pla n of

,

Provide n ce respect in g t h e desig n s of God in t h e creat io n

of m an an d his ult im at e dest i n at io n You w ill by t his
,
.

me a n s have a clearer vie w of t h e Divi n e w isdo m a n d

ood n ess i n t h e g overn m e n t of t h e w orld eve n i n t h e
g ,

m os t cala m it ous e ve n t s as i n t h e corrupt ion of t ru e r e

,

l ig i on as w el l as i n t h e reform at io n O f i t
,
You w ill .

perceive si g n s of order in t h e prese n t se e m i n g ly dis

ordered st at e of t hin g s, an d w il l rejoice in t h e prospect
of t h e g lorious co m plet io n of t h e sche m e i n u n iversal
 4 74 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

virt ue an d un iversal hap pin ess S uch v ie w s of t h i n g s as

.

t hese , w hich w ill be perp e t ually su gg e s t ed by t h e readi n g

of t h e S cript ures have t h e g reat es t t e n den cy t o e n n oble
,

a n d e n lar g e t h e m i n d t o raise ou r t houg ht s an d aff ect io n s

,

a bove t h e l ow pursuit s w hich w holly occupy an d dist ract

t h e mi n ds of t h e bulk of m an ki n d ; t hey w il l i n spire a
most delig ht ful sere n it y i n t h e m ids t of t h e care s an d
t roubles of life a n d i m pa rt a joy w hich t h e w orld can
,

n eit her g i ve n or t a ke a w ay (pp 42 2 .

,

At t he con clus ion o f t h is series of di scou rses Dr , .

Pries tley gave an ot her dis course e n t it l ed Un it arian ism

,

E xp lai n ed an d De fen ded This w as al so pu bli shed

"
.
,

an d some por t i o n s of it w e re i t i s s ai d rev i e w ed b y

, ,

M r W in ches t er
. . Dr Pr ies t ley co n cl u ded t h is di scourse
.

w it h t h e f o ll o w in g man l y avo w a l an d argu me n t

Hav i n g gi ve n t his accoun t of my fait h w ith respect

t o ar t icles of t h e great e st seco n dary i m port an ce, I shall
t ake t h e liber t y ( especially as I have bee n i n dul g ed w i t h
an oppor t u n i t y of pleadi n g w ha t I believe t o b e t he

cause of t rut h in t his place) t o e xpress my co n curren ce

w i t h t h e mi n is t er an d t h e co n g re g at io n w orshippi n g here ,

i n t heir o pin io n co n cern in g t h e fin al happ in ess of all t h e

human rac e , a doct rin e em in e n t ly cal culat ed t o prom ot e
alike g ra t i t ude t o God an d be n evole n ce t o m an a n d c on ,

seque n t ly every ot her virt ue a n d sin ce t his doct ri n e is

‘

perfect ly con s i st en t w it h t h e be lief of t h e adequat e

pun ishme n t of all sin , it is far fro m g ivin g an y e n cou r
a g e me n t t o si n n ers .

“
The doct ri n e of et ern a l tor me n ts i s alt oget her in de
f e n s ibl e on an y prin ciples of just ice or equi t y for all t h e
cri m es of fi n it e creat ures bein g of cour se fin i t e can n o t in ,

eq u it y deserve i n fin it e pun ishm en t The Ju dg e of all

.

t h e eart h, w h o appeals t o m e n t h at a ll his w a ys a r e

e qu a l w e may rest assured w ill do t hat w hich i s r i h t
, g .
 DR . P RI ESTLEY S ’
UNI VERSALI SM . 47 5

N ay , i n t h e mids t of j u dg me n t he e ve r r e me mbe rs me r cy,

an d he has de clared t hat he r et a in e th n ot a n g e r f or e ve r .

B u t I do n ot lay m uch st ress on par t icular t ext s of

S cript ure i n t his case, because i t does n ot appear t o m e
t o h ave bee n t h e proper O bject of t h e m ission of Christ
or of a n y ot h er prophet t o an n ou n ce t his doct rin e n or
,

does it appear t hat an y of t hem co n sidered t h e subj e ct i n

i t s f u ll ex t e n t
. B u t i t m ay be in ferre d fro m t h e g e n eral
m axi m s of God s moral g ov e r n me n t an d fro m t h e s p iri t
’
,

a n d t en de n cy of t h e w hole sys t e m of revelat io n S i n ce .

all t h e dead are t o be ra ised t h e w icked as w ell as t h e

,

rig h t eous it is hig hly i m p robable t h at t his w ill be

,

m ere ly for t h e sake of t he ir bein g pun ished an d t h en

con sig n ed t o an n i hilat ion as if t h ey w ere in capabl e of
,

imp r ove m e n t .

N 0 hu man bei n g s c an be so depraved as t hat it S h all

n ot be i n t h e po w er of prope r disciplin e t o reclai m t he m ,

so as t o make t he m valuable charact ers What g reat .

t hin g s have t h e excelle n t re g ulat io n s of t h e public prison

i n t hi s ci ty ef fect ed i n t his respect " They are re g ul a
t ion s w ort hy t o b e i m i t at ed in all t h e U n i t ed S t at es a n d

t h r ou g h t h e w hole w orld H ow O ft e n do vices arise

.

from false vi ew s of t h in g s occasion ed by t h e circum

,

st an ce s i n w hich m e n a re u n avoidably pl aced w h ich , ,

t herefore, a more favorable S i t uat io n an d be t t e r i n for m a

t io n w ould e asily cure The n at ural operat io n of all
pu n ishm e n t here i s t h e reform at io n of t h e offe n der ; an d
if hum an n at ure w ill co n t in ue t o be t h e same t hin g t h at
i t n ow is i t must h ave t h e sa m e operat ion here aft er an d
, ,

t h e t i m e t ha t is oft en t h e o n ly t hin g w an t in g t o produce

it s proper e ffect at presen t w ill n ot be w an t in g t hen
,
.

M an y v icious perso n s a n d especially un believers are

, ,

m e n of g reat n at ural t ale n t s an d po w ers capable of t h e ,

h appi e s t exe rt io n s if o n ly w ell direct ed an d is t heir

M aker i n capable of g ivin g t h e m t hat du e direc t io n

A ft er havin g made use of t h e m for t h e w i se an d be n e vo
47 6 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

len t purposes of his provide n ce here in pro mo t i n g as ,

t hey i n direc t ly do t h e virt ue an d h appi n ess of ot hers

, ,

w ill he cas t t he m a w ay as of n o furt her use For as I ,

have observed m oral as w ell as n a t ural evils are n e c e s

,

sary in t his st at e of t r ial a n d discip lin e Would n ot an y .

m a n be just ly ce n sure d for des t royin g a n y a n i m al t h at

m ig ht be re n dered useful m erely b e cause he w a s vicious
O r w ou l d a n y pare n t aban don a child for a n y fault t hat
he could be g uilt y of I t w ould be sai d t hat judicious
t reat m e n t w ould cure t h ose vices W hat ever t hey w ere , .

An d is t h e Divin e Bein g less skilful or less be n evole n t

t han m an
Co n sider furt her h ow is it possible for g ood m e n t o
, ,

w ho m t h e hap p i n ess of he aven is pro m i s ed t o have an y ,

e n joy men t of t hat happin ess t he m selves if t hose for ,

w ho m t h ey can n o t bu t have t h e st ro n g es t aff ect io n espe ,

ci al l y t h e i r childre n a n d o t her n ea r relat io n s a n d frie n ds ,

he I do n ot say con si gn ed t o everlas t in g t or m e n t s bu t

, .
,

eve n an n ihilat ed or in an y o t her w ay o n ly excluded fro m

,

all possibilit y of at t ai n in g such a st at e as w ill m ake t heir

exis t e n ce a ble ssin g t o t he m If David lam e n t ed as he
did t h e d e at h of h is rebellious s on Absalo m w hat w ould
.

he have felt in t h e i dea of his ut t er dest ruct io n A

pare n t m yself allow m e t o speak t o t h e feelin g s of
,

o t h ers w h o are also pare n t s B u t i s n ot God t h e t rue

.

paren t of us all ? Ar e n ot our childre n as much his as

t hey are ours A n d is a n eart hly pare n t w h o is de se r v
i n g of t he nam e i n capable of w holly aban do n in g a n y of
his children ? a n d w ill God Wh ose t en der m e rci es a r e
,

ove r a l l h is w or k s (Psal m cxlv an d w hose love a n d

.

co m passio n far e xceed ours aban do n an y of his

,
L ike
a t rue pare n t he w ill ever correct i n m e a s u r e an d w it h
, ,

m e rcy .

I shall con clude w ith a quot at io n from Dr Hart l ey s .

’

Observat io n s on M an i n w hich I fin d t h e doc t ri n e of

,
’

t h e fi n al happi n ess of all me n is ably defe n ded I t is .

 REV . NAT H AN ST RONG. 47 7

t he o n clusio n of h is g reat w ork

c I have n ow g on e .
‘

t hroug h w i t h my observat io n s on t h e f r a m e du t y a n d , ,

expe c t at io n s of m a n fi n is h in g t he m w i t h t h e doct ri n e of
,

ul t imat e un li mi t ed happi n ess t o all T h is doct ri n e if it .

,

be t rue oug ht at o n ce t o dispel all gloo m i n ess an xi e t y

, , ,

a n d so r ro w fro m our he ar t s a n d raise t he m t o t h e hi h , g

e s t pi t ch of love adorat io n a n d g rat it ude t o w ar d s our
, ,

G od our m os t bou n t iful C r eat or a n d m erciful Fat h e r an d

, ,

t h e i n e xhaus t ible source of happi n ess a n d perfect io n .

Here self i n t erest be n evole n ce a n d pie t y all co n cur t o

-
, ,

m ov e an d ex a l t our aff e c t io n s H ow h ap py in him se lf .

,

h ow be n evole n t t o o t h e rs a n d h ow t han kful t o God ,

ou g h t t h at m a n t o be w h o believes bo t h hi m self a n d
o t h e rs bor n t o a n i n fi n it e ex p ect at ion " S i n ce God has
bid us rej oice w h a t c an m ake us sorro w ful ? S i n ce he
,

h as creat e d us f or h app i n ess w hat m isery ca n w e fear ,

If w e be really in t en ded for ult i m at e un li m i t e d happ in ess ,

i t is n o m at t e r t o a t ruly resig n e d perso n w h e n or w h e r e , ,

or h ow N a y could an y of us fu lly co n ceive a n d be duly

.
, ,

i nfl u e n ce d by t h is g lorious expec t at io n t his i n fi n i t e bal

, ,

an ce i n ou r favor it w oul d be su fficie n t t o deprive all

,

prese n t evils of t he ir st i n g a n d bit t ern e ss I t w oul d be .

a sufficie n t an s w er t o all our difficul t ie s a n d a n xiet ies

fro m t h e folly vice an d misery w h ich w e ex p e r ie n ce in
, ,

ourselves an d see in ot h ers t o say t h at t hey w ill e n d i n ,

un bou n ded kn o w ledg e virt ue a n d h app i n ess ; a n d t hat

, ,

t h e pro g ress of e v e ry i n div i dual i n his passag e t hroug h

a n e t ern al life is fro m i m pe r fect t o perfect p art icular t o
, ,

e n eral less t o r e a t er fi n i t e t o i n fi n i t e a n d fro m t h e

g , g , ,

creat u r e t o t h e Creat or .
’

Dr Hu n t in gt o n s w ork C al v in i sm Improved m e n
.
’
,
“
,

t ion e d in t h e firs t chap t er as hav i n g bee n pu bli shed

i n 1 7 96 w a s t h e same year a t t acked by Rev N a t ha n
,
.

S t ron g of Hart ford Co n n in a w ork e n t it l ed

“
, ,
The .
, ,

Doct rin e of E t ern al M i sery Reco n cil able w it h t h e

47 8 U NI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

B e n evol en ce of G od a n d a t rut h p la i n l y assert ed in

,

t h e Chris t ian S crip t ures M r St ron g had b ee n b rou g h t

. .

up i n Cove n t ry — Dr Hun t in gt o n s resi den ce at t h e

,
.
’

t ime h i s b ook w a s w ri tt e n — an d h i s fa t her h a d b ee n

,

a predecessor of Dr H Of t h e rev iew t h e l at e Rev

. .
, .

Dr Wh it t emore sa i d in th e first ed it i o n o f h i s M odern

.

H i st ory of Un iversa li s m

The g roun d t aken in opposit io n t o Dr H w as t hat . .

,

ben evolen ce in God w as n ot a love of in divid u al happi

n ess , bu t of t h e hap pin ess of socie t y or t h e g reat est ,

quan t it y of g ood ; a n d t hat t h e e n dless m isery of a part

of man kin d w a s co n sist e n t w it h be n evole n ce i n as m uch ,

as it w a s t h e m e an s of pro m ot in g t h e g en eral g ood B u t .

w e are un able t o see for w hat reaso n M r S t ro n g s book

’
.

sho u l d ever have bee n called an a n s w e r m uch less a ,

r e u t a t i on
f of Dr H s t heory The lat t er so far fro m
,
. .
’
.
,

den yin g had m ai n t ai n ed t hat en dle ss pun ish me n t w as

,

a doct rin e of t h e S cript ures ; he had fou n d fault w it h

U n iversalist s i n g e n eral for tr ifl i n g w it h t h e ori g in al
w o r d t ran slat ed forever ; an d i n refere n ce t o t h e ques

t ion ,
Does t h e Bible plain ly say t hat sin n ers of m an
‘

ki n d shall be dam n ed t o i n t erm in able pu n ishm e n t he

an s w ered I t cert ai n ly does as plain ly as lan g uag e can
,
‘
,

express or a n y m an or eve n God him self ca n speak

, , , .
’

N or did h e den y t h at e n dless m isery w a s co n sist e n t w i t h

d ivi n e j u st ice On t h is subject he w a s perfect ly plain
. .

T h e e n dless durat io n of pu n ish m e n t said he appears

‘ ’ ‘
, ,

obviously jus t n o m ore t h an w e deserve an d n ot i n t h e

, ,

least cruel for God t o in fl ict To arg ue as so m e do, .

,

t h at it is n ot j u s t for God t o pu n ish e t ern ally for t ran

sie n t sin s i n t his w orld is t h e perfect io n of absurdit y,
,

a n d arises fro m a t ot al i g n oran ce of God an d o urselve s

i n t h e t rue charact er a n d relat io n of e ach Why a ’

.

w o r k de s i g n ed t o refut e such a t heory should bear t h e

 DEAT H or M R . WI NC HESTER . 47 9

t it le M r . S t ron g g ave his book , we can n o t imag in e

(pp . 385 ,

E arly in A pr il, 1 7 9 7 , M W in chest er w h o w as s t ill r .

,

in Hart ford preached a sermon fro m S t Paul s fare

, .
’

w e ll address t o t h e e l ders of t h e E phes ian churches

(Ac t s xx 2 8 u n der t h e im pression t hat it w as

.

t h e l as t he should ever preach A f e w days sho w e d .

t ha t his prese n t ime n t had b ee n w ell fou n ded ; he n ever

ag a in en t ered hi s pu l pit H i s disease progressed rap .

i dl y an d baffled al l eff ort s of skilful physician s He

, .

f el t t ha t dea t h w as approachin g bu t fearin g n o ev il , ,

he co n t e m plat ed h i s depart ure from eart h w i t h resign a

t io n an d eve n w it h j oy A n eye w it n ess t hus describ ed
.

h is deat h b ed -

Here w as t o be seen t h e most disordered a n d di s

t ressed s t at e of body w it h a m i n d m ore c al m t h a n h i s
,

m ost i n difi e r e n t spec t at ors ser e n e a n d bri gh t e n i n g at ,

t h e n ear app r oach of d e at h like t h e i n c r e asi n g li g h t of

t h e m orn n g w i t hou t clou ds as t h e dyin g m an call e d
i ,

on h i s att e n dan t s t o b e ar w i t n ess t o h i s u n s h ak e n fait h

a n d relian ce on t hat sys t e m of t h e g os p el h e had so

fully published an d freque n t ly i n culcat ed fro m t h e pul

p it
. O n t h e m orn i n g of April 1 8 he w as summ o n e d t o
his r e s t A f e w m o me n t s before his depart u re he r e
.

quest e d t hat a part icula r hy mn Far e w ell dea r fri e n d s , ,

i n Christ b e lo w m i gh t be su n g i n w hic h h e at t e m pt e d
’
, ,

t o joi n A ft er a f e w s t an zas h i s voice sun k i n e x h au s

.

t ion His frie n ds ala rm ed paused R allyi n g a lit t le

.
, ,
.
,

he said S i n g on
,
‘
be n ot afrai d — sin g on t o t h e e n d
, ,
.
’

They obeyed ; an d w he n t h e hy m n w as co mplet ed h e

” 1
ceased t o brea he t .

1 S t on e
’
s B iog r a ph y of l l ’in ch e s t e r pp 23 0 , 2 3 1
,
. .
480 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

The N e w En g lan d Co n ve n t io n m e t at M ilf ord , M ass , .

in 1 7 97 .Appe n ded t o t h e c ir cular l et t er , w h i ch i s t he

on l y docu men t ex t an t ,
is t h e follo w in g
As a furt her reco mme n dat ion w e propose t hat w h en
,

our elders are c alled t o t ravel t o pl ac es w here t hey are

n ot kn o w n , som e socie t y or bre t hre n g ive t he m a l in e t o

si gn ify t hat t hey are received by us as preachers of t h e

”
g ospel an d person s of g ood
,
m oral char c er
a t .

Up t o th i s t im e , t herefore w e
suppose t hat t h e Con
,

ve n t i o
n had n ot i ssued le t t ers of fell o w sh i p The p lan .

o f g overn me n t adopt ed by t hem at t hei r org an iz at io n

delegat ed t h i s pow er as als o t hat of ord in at i on t o t h e
, ,

churches The f ull t ext of t h e provis i on on t hi s s u bj ect

.

i s as fo ll ow s
Such perso n s as possess t h ose qu alificat ion s an d g ift s
w hich t h e S cript ures prescribe f or a b isho p an d w h o ,

w ish t o devo t e t he m selves t o God i n t h e m i n ist ry shall ,

be in vit ed t o preach before t h e m e m bers of t h e ch urch ;

an d if aft er t rial t hey s h all appear t o b e u n der t h e i n

fl u e n ce of t h e spirit of t h e g ospel an d t o possess such

,

en dow men t s as are requisit e for t h e profit able exercise

of t h e dut y of a bishop or m in i s t er t h e church shall ,

solem n ly se t apart an d orda in such person s ; an d a cer

t ificat e of such appoin t m e n t shall be t o t he m a su f fi
cie n t ordin at ion t o preach th e g ospel an d t o adm in ist er ,

such ordin an ces herein aft e r m en t ion ed as t o t hem m ay

'

see m proper, w herever t hey m ay be called by Divi n e

Providen ce .

“
An d as t h e g reat desi g n of form s i n orda in in g min
i s t e rs i s t o pre ve n t w eak a n d i mmoral perso n s fr om e x e r
cis in g t h e mi n ist eria l o ffi ce w e ad m it ordi n at io n by an y
,

ch urch in w hich form s have been observed, t o be val i d

an d w he n perso n s so ordai n ed shall apply t o b ecome
 MR
. M URRAY ’S P AM PHLET . 48 1

m e m bers of an y of our c hurches, t hey shall (if o t her

w ise qualified) be adm it t ed n ot o n ly as m e m bers bu t , ,

m i n ist ers also .

There are n o documen t s relat in g t o t h e P h ilade lph ia

Con ven t i on t his year .

M r M urray publ ished in 1 7 9 7 a n oct avo p amph l e t

.

of xv i an d 9 6 pag es e n t it l ed Un iversali sm Vin di

.
, ,

ca t e d bein g t h e su b s t a n ce of so m e o b serva t io n s on t h e
,

reve lat i o n of t h e u n bou n ded love of God m ade t o t he

pat riarch in t h e field of Padan aram (Ge n xx vii i -
. .

a n d co n firmed b y t h e j oin t su ff rag es of t h e pr ophe t s

an d A pos t l es delivered so m e t ime s in ce t o a socie t y i n

,

Bos t on w h o st at ed ly w orsh i p t h e o n l y w i se God our

S aviour The passag e of S crip t ure referred t o con t ain s
.

t h e pro m i se t o J a co b : I n t hee a n d in th y seed s ha ll

all t h e fa m il ies of t h e ear t h b e bl essed
”
.

T w o years la t er t h e pamph l et w as repu bli shed in

,

w ha t w as t he n co n s idered t h e far w est in t h e v ill ag e ,

of Rome On eida Cc N Y Placed in smal l er t ype it

,
.
,
. .

t hen fi ll ed 83 pages — an u n der t akin g t hat mus t have

,

in vol ved n o litt l e expen se an d w h i ch in di cat es t hat ,

som e b elievers in U n i versali sm had pen et rat ed t h a t re

g i o n a n d w ere zea l ous for th e spread of t h e t ru t h
,
.

The serm on i s purely Rell yan in i ts arg ume n t an d in

its in te rpret a t io n of S cript ure fig ures of speech On e .

of t h e open in g paragra phs is a g ood s pecimen of t h e

lat t er
“
I n t he su bject before us w e hear t h e voice fro m
h eave n ut t ered by t he Jehovah t hat st ood above t h e lad
der declari n g t h at t he seed of t h is pat riarch should be
,

as t h e dus t of t h e eart h This fi gure n o doubt poin t s ou t .

t h e i n n um erable m ul t it udes t hat should s pri n g from t his

VO L . I . 31
4 82 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

favored st ock This fi gure w a s used by t h e same g racious

.

Bei n g w he n he preached t h e g ospel t o t h e g ran dfat her of

t his yout h ; bu t t here he ad ded an ot her m ost glorious
fig ure Havin g t urn ed t h e pat riarch s at te n t i on t o t h e
.
’

eart h an d in eff ect declar in g it as i mposs i ble t o n umber

,

t h e in divi du als t hat shou l d sprin g fro m h im as t h e par .

t icl e s of w h i ch it w as co m posed an d havi n g by fixin g , ,

’
t h e pat riarch s at t e n t io n t o t h e eart h led h im t o c on ,

sider t h e ori g in of t h e dust y part of hi s seed as of eart h

eart hly h e t he n t ur n ed his at t en t ion t o t h e heaven s
, ,

direct in g him t o vie w t h e st ars an d said un t o h i m S o

, ,

shall t hy see d b e A ccordin g ly w e hear an Apost le un der

.
,

t h e in fl ue n ce of t h e sp i rit of h i m w h o spoke t o Abraham

an d Jacob decl ar in g as on e st ar diif e r e t h fro m an o t her
, ,

st ar in g lory, so shall be t h e resurrect ion of t h e dead ;

t hus t h e seed, h ow dishon orable an d corr up t ible soever
it m ay have b ee n w h ile b earin g t h e im a g e of t h e eart h ly ,

shall in it s resurrect ion st at e h e hon orable in corrup t ible , ,

an d g lorious b earin g n o m ore t h e i m a g e of t h e ear t hly

, ,

bu t forever b earin g t h e i m a g e of t h e heaven ly ; so t hat

even t h e vil e b ody shoul d be chan g ed an d acco r din g t o ,

t h e m i g ht y w orkin g w hereby t h e Al m ig ht y God is able

t o subdue all th in g s un t o h im self be fashion ed like un t o
,

t h e g lorious b ody of t h e S o of God (pp 3

”
n .
,

Havin g sho wn t hat t h e pred i ct i o n co u l d n ot have

in cl uded t h e descen dan t s of Abraham on ly sin ce t h e ,

bl essedn ess i s promi sed t o all th e fam ilies of t h e

“

eart h M r M u rray con t in ues

,
”
.

of all ot her subject s, i s t o us an d t o al l t h e

As t hi s,
families of t h e eart h of t h e m ost i mport an ce w het her
, ,

w e co n sider t h e ch ara ct e r of t h e speaker, t h e charac t er

spoken t o, or t h e charact ers spoken of w e s h all con s i der ,

t his sequel of our subj ec t w i t h pecul iar at t en t io n i n t h e

follo w i n g order
 MR . M U RRAY ’S P AM PHLET . 4 83

First t h e S e e d S eco n dly What t his S eed shall con

, ,

t ai n ; Thirdly Wh at shall be t h e po r t ion of t h e co n t ain e d ;

,

a n d close w it h so m e observat io n s on t h e w hole .

An d first t h e S e e d ,
Thoug h w e have se e n from t h e
.

fi gures m ade use of t hat t h e seed can n ot be n u m bered ,

y e t i n s u n dry part s of divin e revelat io n w e are led t o

t h e co n t e mpl at io n of t h e s e e d of w hom M oses a n d t h e
pro p h et s spake fro m t h e be g in n in g so t hat n o soon er ,

did t h e serpe n t be g uile our g en eral m ot her t han w e hear ,

of t h e s e e d as t h e bruiser of t h e serpen t s head S e arch ’

.

t h e S cript ures sai t h our Divi n e M ast er ; t h ey t e st ify

, ,

sait h h e of m e B u t i n n o part of divi n e revelat ion does

,
.

t h e S p irit t est ify m o r e c l e arly of our S aviour t han u n der

t h i s ch aract er ; an d t h at i n t h i s place w e are led t o see
J e su s i n a n es p ecial m an n e r e xhibit ed is clear fro m t h e
Apos t l e w h o speakin g of t h e g ospel preached u n t o A bra
, ,

h a m sai t h To Abraham an d h i s s e e d t h e pro m ises w e re

, ,

m ade — n ot un t o se e ds as of m an y bu t u n t o t h y s e e d
, , ,

w hich is C h rist
’
.

T h ou g h t h e seed of Jacob in t heir in dividual capaci t y

w e re for n u mber as t h e san ds of t h e sea y e t w e fin d ,

t h e m as collec t ed i n t h e S hilo un t o w ho m t h e g at herin g ,

of t h e people should be exh ibit ed i n t h e sin g ular char

act e r I in t he m a n d t h ou in m e t hat w e m a y be p e r
,
‘
, ,

fee t in on e I n t h e e an d i n t h y seed e t c The n am e

.
,
’
.

t his pat riarch w a s dest i n ed t o bear w as Isra e l ; hen ce

his desce n d an t s are d en o m in at ed t h e childre n of Israel .

B u t t his n a m e is by t h e royal prop he t applie d t o Jesus .

S peakin g i n t h e charac t e r of t h e M e ssiah w e hear h i m ,

sayi n g M an y a t i m e t hey have affl ict ed m e fro m my

,
‘

yout h (m ay Israel n ow say) y e t h ave t hey n ot prevailed ,

ag a in st m e The plou gh ers plou g hed my back ; t hey

.

m ade lon g t heir fu r ro w s

’
.

“ Thou h
g t h e S cri p t ures, i n w h ich w e t hi n k w e have
et ern al life very clearly t es t ify of Jesus as t h e on l y life
,

of t h e w orld in g e n e ral or of an y in dividual i n it , ,

48 4 UN I VERS ALI S M I N AM E RI C A .

t hou gh his charact er as co n t ain i n g in him self all ful

n e ss t s i n e very part of revelat io n plai n ly m an ifes t ed ,

y e t t h e ques t ion What t hi n k you of Christ

,
w a s n e v er

m or e pert in e n t t han at prese n t especially w he n w e c on ,

sid e r t h ere are so m an y false C h ris t s in t h e w o r ld w h o ,

have dec eived man y We are t aug ht t o believe t h at t h e

.

S cript ures a r e t h e on l y rule g ive n for ou r direct ion ; bu t

as t hey t est ify of Christ a n d as it is i n h i m t hey a l l ,

co n sist t hey c an be of li t t le use t o us except t h ey lead

,

us in t o an acquain t an ce w it h h i m w hom to k n ow is life

e t ern al T h e A post le w as so sen sible of t his t ha t he
.

de t erm i n ed t o k n ow n ot hi n g am o n g t h e Cor i n t h i a n s bu t
C H R I s r a n d h i m crucified Accordi n g ly t hou g h n o n e
-
,
.
,

of t h e Apost les at t en ded more t o t h e S cript ures y e t he ,

m ade use of t h e m prin ci p ally for t h e pur p ose of m an i

fest in g Jesus of w ho m M oses a n d t h e pro p het s s p ake
, ,

w h o d i ed f or th e si n s o f t h e p e op l e, a ccor di n
g t o t h e S c rip
tu re s . as peace a n d rest a n d deliveran ce fro m c on
An d , ,

de m n at i on w it h m an y o t h er advan t ag es are depe n de n t

,
.
,

on a n d co n n e ct ed w i t h believin g in Jesus Ch rist a n d a s

"
,

w e c an n o t believe i n hi m of w ho m w e have n ot heard it ,

is of t h e last i m port an ce t hat w e at t en d t o t h e voice t hat "

t e st ifies of h i m I n at t e n din g t o t h i s voice fro m h e ave n

.
,

w e s hall fin d t hat i n hi m a l l ful n ess d w elt ; i n his h u m a n

char ac te r t h e f ’a l n e ss of t h e hu m a n n a tu r e in his divin e
char act er t h e f u l n e ss of t h e di vi n e n a tu r e I n t h e form er .

he is t h e s eed h ow mu lt ip lied soever I n t his s e e d d w elt

,
.

a l l the
"
f ul n e ss of t h e G odh e a d ; so t hat he is t h e on l y
w i s e G od, an d t h e S aviour of t h e w orld ; he is t h e s e con d

Ada m , an d t h e L or d f r om h ea v en .

“
B u t we co me
ext pla ce t o con sider S eco ndly,
in t he n ,

What t hi s s e e d co n t ain s The S cript ures declare t h at

.

t h e firs t Ada m w as a fi gure of t h e seco n d i t is t herefore

t h e L ord f r om he ave n bear s t h e n am e of Ad a m A dam .

w a s co n sid e r ed by t h e w ri t ers of revelat io n i n a p u bl i c,

n ot (a p r i va t e charac t er, an d n ot o n ly act in g for his pos
 MR . M URRAY ’S P AM PHLET . 485

t e r it y , bu t con t ain in g i n h i ms e lf fuln ess This t heir .

t rut h ap p ears g e n erally ack n o w led g e d as w e fre que n t ly ,

he ar t hat i n A dam all die ; n or do w e fin d t hat t h is t r u t h

is called in quest io n by m an y w h o d e n y t hat in t h e
secon d Adam all are made alive ; bu t w hat e ver w e se e
i n t h e fi g u r e w e have a r i g ht t o e xp e ct i n t h e su b
s t a n ce ,

else w e could n ot discover an y jus t ice in t h e fi g ur e ,

accordin g t o t h e plan in i n fin it e w isdo m laid B u t t hat .

A da m con t ai n ed i n h i ms e lf t h e fuln e ss of hum an n at ure ,

is cle ar fro m t h e deat h w hich co n seque n t on h is t ran s

, ,

g r e ss i on p assed up o n a l l m e n
, If it should be said t h at .

deat h passed upo n all me n in co n sequen ce of all me n

sin n in g w e an sw er I t does n ot app ear fro m d ivin e re ve
, ,

lat ion t hat t h e desce n dan t s of Ad am w oul d ha v e si n n e d

,

if t heir fat her h a d n ot ; besi de s w e fin d de at h pa s s i n g ,

on t he m w h o had n ot i n t h e i r ow n p e r so n s s i n n e d a o
, ,

f Ada m
’
cor di n g to the s i mi l i t u de o s t r a n s g r e ss i on .

B u t i t is fi gure o n ly t hat w e see Jesus

n ot in t h is .

I n a ve ry g reat varie t y of fi g u r e s w e see J e sus m an if e s t e d

as co n t ain in g i n hi m self t h e i n dividuals w hich co n st it ut e
his ful n ess —as t h e on e r i ve r co m posed of in n u m erable
, ,

dr ops of w at er ; t h e on e t r e e co mp osed of i n n u m e rable ,

bran ch e s ; t h e on e t e mp l e co n t ain i n g an in fin it e varie t y

,

of m at e r ials ; t h e on e br e a d co m posed of i n n u me r able ,

rai n s of w heat Wha t sai t h t h e Apos t le is t h e br e ad

g .
, ,

w e break is i t n ot t h e c om mu n i on of t h e b
,
ody of C h r is t

B u t w hat is a co m m u n io n bu t a g at h e rin g t o g e t h e r so ,

t hat t h e people bei n g like t h e g r ai n s of w h eat t h at r e p

,

rese n t e d t he m m a n y coll e ct e d i n t h e s e e d m ay be on e i n
, ,

Christ or t h e fuln ess of his body

,

“
B u t beside t h e m an y speaki n g fi g ures m a de u se of
by t h e S pirit of God t o ill u st rat e t h e t ru t h of a n d as it is ,
’
i n Christ Jesus w hich for brevi t y s sake w e are obli g ed
, ,

t o pass over t h ere are m an y plai n clear posit ive p or

, , ,

t io n s of divi n e t es t i m o n y w h ich direc t ly lead t h e mi n d

of t h e h on e st i n quire r t o t h e kn ow ledg e of t h e t rut h a s
48 3 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

i t is i n J as Fat her t hat i n h i m

I t pl e a s e d t h e
‘

es u s ,

( Jesus )
, t h e se e d all fu ln ess should d w ell ;
,
God ha th
appoi n t e d a day i n t h e w hich he w ill g at her a l l t hin g s
i n t o on e ; Of h i m (t h e Jehovah) are ye i n Christ Jesus ;
A ccept ed i n t h e beloved co mple t e i n h im ; We are,

his w ork man sh ip creat ed i n Christ Jesus ; For he is

,

ou r peace ,
w h o h at h m ade bo t h on e For t o m ake i n
h i ms e lf of t w ai n on e n e w m a n a n d t hat he m i g ht reco n
,

cile bot h i n on e body I n w ho m (Jesus) all t h e build

i n g (n ot buildin g s) fit l y fram e d t o g e t her (n ot asu n der)
, ,

g ro w e t h in t o an holy t emp l e (n ot t e mples) i n t h e L ord ;

I n w ho m you also a r e builde d t og e th e r for a n habi t at io n
n ot habit at io n s ) accordi as h (t h Jehovah ) ha th
( ng e e

c hose n us i n hi m (Jesus) ; I n w hom w e have re de m p

t io n i n w ho m also w e have ob t ai n ed an i n herit an ce

,
.

g by t h e g race of God t as t e d deat h for

“ Jesus havi n

every m an , an d bein g by t h e pow er of t h e divi n e n at ure

raised fro m t h e dead asce n ded i n t h e s a m e n at ure in
,

w hich he desce n de d ; a n d w e a r e n ow t au g ht t o co n si der

t h i s n at ure t hus raised an d seat ed a t t h e ri g ht han d of

,

t h e M aj est y on hi g h as t h e n ext in di g n it y t o t h e divi n e

,

n at ure ; so as t o be as m uch on e w it h t h e divin e n at u re

as t h e soul of an y in dividual of t h e hum an kin d is w it h

t h e body it i n habit s The head of e ve r y m a n is t hus
.

raised far above all prin cipalit ies an d po w ers a n d m i g ht , , ,

a n d do m in io n an d every n am e t hat is n am ed n ot o n ly
, ,

i n t h is w orld, bu t also i n t h a t w hich is t o co m e God .

hat h pu t all t hin g s un der his feet a n d g ave h i m t o be ,

t h e head over all t hin g s t o t h e church (t h e called ou t ) ,

w hich is his b ody

(n ot bodi es ) t h e fuln ess of hi m t hat
,

fil le t h a l l in a l l Accordin g ly t h e Apost le or rat her t h e

.
,

S pirit speaki n g b y t h e Apost le i n form ed t h e people i n

, ,

form s u s t hat ‘Thoug h w e are dead i n t respasses an d

,

si n s y e t God w h o is rich in m ercy for his g reat love

, , ,

w here w it h h e loved us eve n w he n w e w ere dead in si n s ,

hat h quick e n ed us t og e th e r w it h Christ , an d hat h raised

 MR . M URRA Y '
S PAM PHLET . 487

us up t o g e t he r, an d m ade us s it t o g et her i n heave n ly

places i n Chris t Jesus t h at in t h e ag es t o co me he m i ght
,

s h o w t h e exceed in g riches of his g race (pp 5 .

“
B u t if t h e pro m ise d see d i n clude d i n hi m self as -

t h e sec on d Ad a m as e v er y m a n s h e a d as t h e n e w m a n ’
, ,

t h e ful n ess of t h e hum an n at u re in his bi rt h, so he did

i n h i s life ; ot herw ise it does n ot appear t hat he cou ld, i n
con s equen ce of his obedien ce t o t h e l aw un der w hi ch he
w as m ade b ecom e t h e L ord ou r Rig ht eous n ess w hich is
, ,

on e of t h e n ames by w hich he is p ro p erly called ; a n d if ,

as t h e secon d Adam he h ad n ot in him self t h e ful n ess

,

of t h e human n at ur e t h e rig ht eousn ess of God w hich he

,

t h e on ly w is e God ou r S aviour w rou g ht ou t , w ould n ot ,

could n ot as w e con ceive w it h a n y de g ree of propriet y

, ,

b e declared un t o all a n d upon all t h em t hat believe for

t here is n o di ff ere n ce A g ain if t h e people h ad n ot
.
,

b ee n i n h im in all he w rough t t hey could n ot be th e

, ,

rig ht eousn ess of God i n h i m n or co ul d he accordin g t o , ,

j ust ice be t h e l if e of t h e w or ld for n eit her th e w orl d in

,

g en eral n or a n y in dividual of t h e w orld can be t h e sub

, ,

j ae t of l ife accordi n g t o t h e rule of divi n e t rut h an d

,

just ice w it hout t hat ri gh t eous n ess w hich alon e g ives a

,

le gal t it le t heret o If sait h div in e t rut h t hou w ilt en t er

.
, ,

i n t o life keep t h e co mm an dm e n t s ; t h is is ac cordi n g t o

,

t h e L aw ,an d heave n an d eart h shall p a ss aw ay before

on e j ot or t itt le of t h e L a w s h all pass un fulfilled When .

Jesus ca me t o seek an d t o save i t w as n ot in v iolat ion of ,

th e L aw I cam e n ot sait h he t o d es tr oy t h e Law bu t

.
, , ,

t o fu lfil it He n ce t hen h e i s t h e l if e of t h e w or ld i n
.
,

con s e qu en ce of t h e u n ion su b sis t i n g be t w ee n h i m a n d t h e

e o l e as exe m plified u n der t h e fi g ure of t h e h ea d an d

p p ,

me mber s of w hich t h e spirit sp ake; w he n by t h e Apos t le

he said I w ou ld n ot h a ve y ou i g n or a n t t h a t th e h e a d of
,

e very m a n is Ch r is t N ow as i n n at ure w hat is don e by

.
,

t h e head is w it h S piri t jus t ice a n d p roprie t y sai d t o b e

, ,

do n e by t h e w h ol e m a n so w hat w a s do n e by J esu s as
,
488 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA
.

ev ery m made u n der t h e L aw , is accordin g t o

an s
’
h ea d,
st rict j ust ice in God s sig ht con s i dered as don e by every
’

ma n The revelat io n of t his is i n dee d g la d t i din g s t o

.

eve ry creat ur e .

“
B u t w e are n ot o n ly boun d t o be li eve t ha t t h e f ul
n ess of t h e hu m an n at ure w a s i n t h e s e e d ou r seco n d ,

Ada m in h i s bi r t h an d in his l if e bu t also i n his de a th

, , .

This i s on t h e very best aut horit y co n firme d Ou r .

S a viour S peakin g of t h e deat h he w as t o die said, An d

, ,

I w h en I a m l if t ed up f r om t h e ea r t h w il l dr a w a l l me n
,

u n to me .

This t h e S piri t in f orm s us he spake S i gn ifyin g w hat

“
, ,

deat h he S ho u ld die bu t cert ain ly n ot m erely w it h r e

spect t o t h e m a n n er of his deat h, — for h e coul d have
d i ed as an in div i dual in t h a t or a n y oth e r w ay, w i t hout
draw i n g all or an y in dividual of m an ki n d un t o himself .

B u t he dre w al l me n u n t o him self t hat i n h is deat h t hey

may a ll di e accordin g t o t h e L aw w hich had declar ed
, ,

t h e s ou l th a t s in n e t h s h a l l di e B u t havin g th u s draw n .

a l l m en u n t o hi m self t h e love of Christ co n s t rai n ed t h e

,

A pos t les t o jud g e t hat if on e d ied f or a l l w hich t hey ,

w ere as sured t h e S aviour did t he n w ere a ll d ea d This

,
.

is perha ps w hat w as in t en ded by t h e Prophet Isaiah

, , ,

w he n he said B e h old t h e L or d ma k e th t h e e a r t h e mp t y "

, ,

Were w e t au g ht t o co n side r t h e prophe t s as m ere hist o

rian s sen t t o fo re t ell or relat e eve n t s as t hey respect e d
on ly t h e t e m poral co n cern s of t h e children of m e n t hen ,

w e should g lean bu t li t t le kn ow l ed ge of ou r S av i our,

or salvat io n by h im, i n co n sult i n g t hem bu t if w e credit
h i m of w h o m t hey spake w e shall fin d t h e y t e st if y of
,

h i m i n t h e various charac t ers an d sc e n es i n w h i ch h e

w as ordai n ed t o appear N ow as w he n he w a s l if t ed u p
.
,

f rom t h e e a r t h in his crucifixion a n d on t hat occasion

, ,

dre w al l m e n u n t o him s e lf t h e Prophet , i n t h e beaut iful

,

lan guag e he w a s direct ed t o make use of p oin t ed ou t ,

t his gran d eve n t by sayin g B e hold, t h e L or d m a k e th t h e

,
 MR . M U RRAY ' S P AM P HLET . 4 89

e a r t h e mp ty " S ho uld w e for g e t t hat t h e prophe t s t est ify

of Jesus an d read t h ese S cri p t ures w it hout t h e s mallest
,

expect at io n of fi n din g h i m w e shoul d be very much per

,

pl e x e d t o k n ow h ow t o kee p p e ace w it h t h e prophe t s, in

t h e plain la n g uag e of t h eir revelat ion We do n ot see
.

at a n y perio d of t im e t h is pro p hecy l i t e r a l l y fulfilled ;

an d should i t be co n fi n e d t o t h e lan d of Judea t here ,

w ould s t ill b e a di fficul t y as w e do n ot fin d t hat t his

,

spot of eart h w a s ever in th is poin t of vie w m ade e m pt y

i t w as con st an t ly occupied by t h e n at ives or by s t ra n
g ers . I n fact t h is as w e ll as sun dry ot h er par t s of
,

divi n e revelat ion can n ever ap pear w hat divin e revela

,

t io n m ust of n ecessi t y be t ru e except w e c o n sider i t as

, ,

t rue i n J esu s i n w hom a l l t h i n g s con s is t

, If w hen our.
,

S aviour w as suspe n de d on t h e cross be t w ee n heave n an d

eart h be co n t ain ed i n h i m se lf as t h e se con d Ada m t h e
, ; ,

fuln ess of t h e hum an n at ur e ; if J e w an d Ge n t ile w ere

recon ciled i n on e body on t h e cross t he n t h e L o rd m ade
,

t h e eart h e mpt y . T h e la n d sait h t h e Prophe t shall b e

, ,

u tt e r l y e m p t ie d an d u t t e r l y S p oiled for t h e L ord hat h

, ,

spoke n t h is w ord If it s h ould be sai d t hat aft e r it w as

.

declared Th e L or d m a k e t h t h e e a r t h e mp ty; ma k e t h i t
,

h e s ca t t er e th a br oa d t h e i n h a b i ta n ts t h er e of t hat
“

w as t e ,

scatt erin g abroad t h e in h abit an t s t hereof does n ot cor

respon d w it h t h e idea of t heir bein g collect ed in t heir
head w he n he w a s lift ed u p from t h e eart h w e an sw er, ,

t heir be i n g sca t te r ed w as a n eve n t t hat t ook place soon

a ft e r t h e crucifixion accordi n g t o t h e divin e predict io n ;
,

an d so far is t his fro m opposi n g t h e t r ut h as i t is i n

J esu s , t hat co min g i n co n n ect ion w it h it it serve s as a

, ,

corroborat in g e vide n ce of t h e form e r t r ut h .

“
Ag ain , in t h e prophecy of Jere m iah Thus sait h t h e ,

L ord t ake t h e w in e c u p of t his fury at my han d an d

, ,

cause all t h e n at io n s t o w hom I sen d t hee t o drin k i t ;

an d t hey sh a ll dr i n k a n d i t shall be i f t hey r e fuse t o
,

t a ke t h e cup at t hi n e han d t o dri n k t he n shalt t ho u say

,
49 0 UNI VERSALI SM IN A M ERI C A .

u n t o t he m Thus sait h t h e L ord of Host s Ye sh all ce r

, ,
‘

t a i n l y dri n k An d w e are e xpressly t old, all t h e ki n g

’
.

do m s of t h e w orl d w hich are on t h e face of t h e ear t h

shal l drin k t his cu p I t w ou l d b e ext remely di ffi cul t t o
.

fin d t his t rut h an y w here bu t i n t h e g arde n of Ge t h

sem an e w hen t h e head of every man
, t h e part of t h e
body w hich dri n ks — sai d Fat her if it b e possible l e t , , ,

t his c u p p a ss from m e S hould it b e said he dra n k t h e

.
’

bit t er c u p a l on e, l e t it be observed it is t h e h e a d a l on e
t hat drin ks bu t n ot i n a s ep a r a t e s t at e from t h e body ;
,

he n ce as t h e head ta s te s for t h e w h ol e body so Jesus as , ,

t h e h ea d of t h e b ody t as t e d d e a t h f or e very ma n w hich ,

e ve r y m an w as t h e ful n ess of his b ody C a n i t be .

doubt ed t hat t h i s w as t h e cup our L ord advert ed t o

w he n t h e fon d m o t her pe t it ion ed for t h e preferm en t of
her son s an d th e S aviour asked t hem, Are ye able t o
,

dr i n k of t h e cu p t hat I s h a l l dr in k of an d t o be bapt ize d ,

w it h t h e bapt is m I am t o be ba p t ized w it h They i g n o ,

ran t as his di sc iples g en erally w ere at t hat period of

, ,
’
t h e full purport of t heir L ord s sayi n g s, an s w ered w e ,

are able ; an d he, in his ow n w ay repl i ed Ye shal l ,

in deed drin k of t h e cup an d be bapt iz ed w it h t h e bap

,

t is m . B u t i f t his cup w as t h e cup pu t i n t o hi s han ds t o

drin k in t h e g arde n alluded t o an d t his bapt is m w as as , ,

is g e n erally believed t h e bap ti s m of his sufi e r in gs an d

,
'

de a t h w here or h ow could t his di vi n e t es t imon y be ful

,

filled an y w ay bu t in him self The people w e are t o l d, ,

w e r e cru cifie d w it h Christ buried w i t h hi m by b , a t is m

p
i n t o d ea t h There in deed t h e w ord of t h e L ord w as
.
, ,

di vin e l y mp l i sh ed
a cc o .

B u t it is n ot i n t h e bi r t h, t h e l if e, an d de a t h of Christ
alon e t h e ful n ess of J e w a n d Gen t ile w as fou n d bu t in
,

his resurrect i on al so ; for as m an y as w ere i n h i m on t h e

cr oss w e r e i n hi m i n t h e g rave an d in h e ll ; an d as m an y

as w ere i n hi m co n st it ut i n g h is f u l n ess i n h e l l an d i n t h e
g ra ve , w ere w i th or i n hi m i n hi s resurrect io n st at e .
 MR . M U RRAY ’S P AM P HLET . 49 1

Thi s he w as assured of w he n he said Thou w ilt n ot leave ,

my sou l i n h e l l n or su ff er t h y hol y on e t o see corr upt io n

, .

T h e S pirit ex pressly decla r es t h at w e are r is en w i t h

Ch ris t . Jesu s a ppeared t h e secon d t i m e w it hout s i n ,

n amely t h e s i n of t h e w or ld w hich w as l a id u on h i m
, p , ,

w hich he bare i n his ow n b ody on t h e t ree an d w hich a s , ,

t h e L a mb of God he took a w a y p u tt in g it a w a y b
, y the
,

s a cr ifice o f h ims e lf for t hou g h as an in dividual he w a s

,

w it h ou t s i n y e t as t h e agg re g at e of hum an n at ure he

, ,

bare all t h e ir s in s an d as on e w it h t h e m j u st ly sufi e r e d for

, ,
‘

t h e m ; bu t havi n g by his on e sa cr ifi ce p u t a w a y s in j i n ,

is h i n y tr a ns g r es s i on m aki n g an e n d of s in i n t h e a ccou n t
, ,

o f j u s t i ce he appears i n t h e f u l n es s of his b
, ody t h e sec

on d t im e w i t hou t si n an d prese n t s t h em before t h e F a t h er

,

w i t h o ut sp ot an d t o t h e
f u ln ess of t hi s body t h e divin e
n at ure s p eaks w hen he says This i s my b e l ov ed S on , t h is
,

da y have I be g ott e n t he e T h e Apost le, in s t ruct ed by t h e

.

S p iri t w h o t ak e s t h e t hi n g s of Jesus an d sho w s t he m ,

said He hat h be g ott en us ag ain un t o a live ly hope by t h e

,

r esu rr ect i on of Jesus Chris t fro m t h e dead i n w hich s i n ,

l es s resurrect ion st at e t h e A post le had an d every on e ,

t aug h t by a n d a believer of God has t h e a n sw e r of a

, , ,

g oo d c o n s ci en ce t ow a r d God The A pos t le ha d n ot t h is

.

an s w er of a g ood con sc ie n ce t ow ard God by t h e put t in g

aw ay t h e filt h of t h e flesh bu t by t h e r esu rr e cti on of ,

Jes u s C h ri st fro m t h e de ad in w h om he w as pre sen t ed ,

w it hou t sp ot , an d bl a m e l ess i n l ove .

B ut it is n ot i n t h e b ir t h, t h e l if e , t h e dea t h , an d r es

u rr e ct ion of Chris t alo n e t h e ful n ess of his body w as,

bu t i n h i s a s cen sion also I t w as t h e same body t hat w a s
.

bor n t hat l ived ; it w as t h e sam e body in w ho m dw elt al l

t h e ful n ess of t h e Godh ead t hat di e d ; it w as t h e sa m e
b ody t hat rose f r om t h e dea d it w as t h e sa me body w hich
arose from t h e de ad t hat ascen ded i n t o t hat heave n w h ich
mu s t con t a in him un t il t h e t i me s of t h e r es t i tu t i on o
f a ll

t h i n gs it w as t h e same Jesus t hat des ce n de d, w h o, aft er

492 UNI VE RSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

h i s resur rect io n as cen de d far above al l heaven s t hat he

, ,

m i ght fil l al l t h in g s He n ce t h e S pirit by t h e A post le

.

assures us w e ar e n ot on ly ra is e d up w i th Ch r is t bu t ,

are made t o sit t og e t he r in heaven ly plac es i n Chri st

Jes u s .

Thus w e fin d acc ordin g t o t h e S cript ures t hat Jesus

, , ,

h a vin g e n t ered in t o th e holies t of all w it h h i s ow n blood ,

presen t s t h e people i n h i ms e lf an d t hey are a ccep t e d in t h e

;

beloved The fi g urat i ve hi g h pri est w it h t h e fig u rat ive

.
-

sacrifice in fig u r e carri e d all th e t ribes of Israel in t o t h e

,

holiest of al l an d i n his ow n person presen t ed t he m be

,

fore t h e m ercy seat If t h e h i gh priest w a s accept ed, t h e

-
.
-

t ribes of Israe l w e re ac cept ed for t heir hi g h priest pr e ,

-

sen te d t h em on his bre a st plat e before t h e L ord ; h e n ce

t h e people w h o w ere on t h e ot her side t h e rail in t heir ,

in dividual capacit ies w e re kept in suspen se t ill th ey ,

heard t h e soun d of t h e bel ls t hat hun g bet w een t h e pome

gran at es on t h e bot t om of t h e sacerdo t al g arm e n t bu t on ,

hearin g t hese t hey k n ew t heir hig h priest lived, an d -

because h e l ived t he y w oul d live also a n d t hey shout e d ,

for joy ; so every believer in t h e hig h pri est of our pro -

f e ssi on w ill rejoice w it h joy u n speakable w he n t hey hear

his voice fro m w it hi n t h e rai l sayin g B eca u s e I l i ve y e
'

s h a ll l iv e a l s o.
“
B come i n t he t hird place t o in quire w hat is
ut w e ,

t h e por t io n of all t h e famili e s of t h e eart h co nseque n t on

bei n g i n t hi s see d E t ern al praises t o t h e Fat her of t h e
spirit s of all flesh w h o assures us t hat t he port ion of all
,

t h e fam ilies of t h e eart h i n t h i s SE E D is bl essi n g — n ot ,

blessin g an d cu r s i n g or blessin g som e families a n d curs

,

i n g ot h ers or bl ess i n g a t on e t ime an d cu r si n g a t a n ot h e r

,

n o he t hat t e ac hes h i s disciples t o b

, l ess an d cu rse n ot ,

bu t eve n t o bl ess t h e m by w h om t hey are d esp i t ef u l ly

tr eat ed t h ou g h t h e y r e a ll y s af e r in con seque n ce of such
,

t reat me n t w ill as suredly ac t on h i s ow n prin ci p les

, .

“
B u t firs t : I n t h e pro m ised seed all t h e fa m i lies of
,
 MR . M URRAY ' S P AM PHLET . 493

the ea rt h are bless e d w it h ri g h t eous n e ss This t hey can n ot .

have a n y w h ere bu t in t hi s seed ; for ever si n ce t h e Fall

n o mere m an hat h ever ke p t t h e co m m an d me n t s of God
’
.

I t follow s t hat eve r si n c e t h e Fall t here have bee n n o n e

ri ght eous an y w here bu t i n t his seed ; so also, ca n n o ,

family of t h e eart h avoid h avi n g t his ri g ht eousn ess in

t his s ee d for t h e seed is h oly an d if t h e first fr ui t is holy
, ,
-
,

so is t h e lu mp Hen ce t h e n ame w h ere by he is a n d shall

.

be called is t h e L or d ou r Rig ht eousn ess Ri ght eousn ess .

is a p e rf e ct obedien ce t o t h e righ t e ous l aw of God N o .

mere m an ever produced t his ; bu t Jesus did He n ce he is .

becom e t h e e n d of t h e l a w for rig ht eousn ess n ot on ly ,

u n t o all i n g e n eral bu t a lso t o t he m t h at b

, e l i eve i n par

t icu l ar To all t hen w h o w ere u n able t o obey t h e l aw of

.
, ,

G od i n t heir ow n perso n s Jesus is g ive n as t h e l aw ful -

filler an d as t h e ri g ht eousn ess of God w hich is I mma n ,

u e l s ob e d ie n ce t o t h e l a w is u n t o a l l an d a s God so l ove d
’
, ,

t h e w or ld a s t o g i v e t h e m h is S on t his Son t hus g ive n is

,

w it h st ric t proprie t y de n o m i n at ed t h e L or d ou r Ri h t
g
e ou sn ess .An d t his w it h st rict t rut h every fam ily of t h e
, ,

eart h an d every in dividual of each fam ily may say, an d

each an d every in div i dual ou g h t t o believe t his f or him
self ; an d t herefore he w h o believet h n ot t his i s just ly
-

con dem n ed for u dt g ivin g credi t t o t his t rut h .

S eco n dly . Al l t h e fam ilies of t h e eart h are in t his

seed blessed w it h j u s t ifica t i on Th is is t h e cert ain c on
.

seque n ce o f t h e rig ht eousn ess t hey w ere by t h e g race of

-

God i n t h e gi ven S on blessed w it h I t w ould be an .

abom in at ion t o just ify t h e w icked hen ce w he n w e h ear of

t h e u n godl y b ein g j u s t ifi e d w e fin d i t i s by t h e b
,
lood of
J esu s . I t i s t herefore t hat t h e asse m bly of divin es w h o
composed the sh ort er c at echis m assure us t h at ju st ifica
t i o n i s an act of God s free g race w here i n he pardo n et h
’
,

all ou r s in s, an d accept et h us as ri g ht eous in his sig ht ,

o n ly f or t h e r i g ht eousn ess of Christ i mp ut ed t o us, an d

rece i ved by fait h ’ I t is i mp u ted bef or e f a i th, bu t r e
.
4 94 UNI V ERSALI S M IN AM ERI CA .

cei ve d by f a i th . is i mput e d t o al l bu t rece i ved by

It ,

n on e bu t t hem w h o b elieve He n ce t hese g lad t id in g s

.

are preached t o e very creat ure t hat a ll m en m ig h t se e in ,

t h is act of God s free g rac e t h e t hin g s w hich m ake for

’

t heir peace .

Thirdl y I n t hi s SE E D all t h e families of t h e eart h are

.

blessed w it h s a n ct ificat ion or holin ess, w i t h ou t w h i ch n o

,

m a n ca n s e e th e L ord Con siderin g t h e u n c l e a n n ess of

.

a l l t h e fam ilies of t h e ear t h an d t h e i mpossib ili t y of t h e

,

u n c l ea n s t a n din g i n t h e presen ce of H i m w h o is of p u r e r

ey es t h a n t o b e hold i n i qu i ty t h e bl ess in g of al l m an kin d

,

w it h s a n ctifica t ion i n Chris t Jesus i s a n act of as f r ee a n d

as mu ch g r a ce as t h e blessin g t hem w it h jus t ificat io n .

B u t t h e g racious God n ever blessed a n y i n dividual w it h

just ificat io n t hat he did n ot bless w it h s an ct i ficat ion , f or
w h om h e j u s t ified h e s a n ct ifi ed an d it is of God w h o

sen t Jesus t o bless every on e of us a n d all t h e fam ilies

of t h e eart h by savi n g u s a n d t h em f rom s in t hat w e are
, ,

i n Ch r is t J e s u s w h o is m ade un t o us san ct ificat ion

,
.

Wit hout san ct ificat ion t here coul d b e n o g lorificat ion ; it

is on ly t h e pure in heart can see God ; bu t as n o fam ily
of t h e eart h c an b oast of h e a r t p u r it y in t he ir ow n per -

son s as is clear n ot on ly fro m d ivi n e revelat i on bu t

,

fro m t h e t est i m o n y of all God s children fro m t h e be ’

g i n n i n g of t h e w orld it is as clear t hat it is o n ly

,

i n t h e Se ed w h ich is Chris t Jesus, t hat an y family of

,

t h e eart h c an be i n t h e prese n t st at e blessed w i t h

s an ct ifica t ion ; an d fro m t h e sa me divin e revelat io n i t is

as clear t hat t his blessin g co m et h on all t h e fa milies of

t h e eart h i n C h r is t J esu s o t he rw ise he could n ot be t h e
S a vi ou r of a ll m en .

Fourt hly I n t his see d all t h e fami lies of t h e e art h

.

are blesse d w it h l i e This by t h e t ran sg ress i on of t h e

.

first Ad am w as forfeit ed ; bu t in t h e se con d Adam, and

by his obedi e n ce i s recovered ; a n d t h e li fe t hus recovered
,
.

is by t h e favor of God g ive n t o t h e w or ld The w ag es .

 MR . M URRAY ’S PAM P HLET . 49 5

of s in is deat h bu t , t h e g ift of G od is eve rl ast i n g life .

God so l ov e d t h e w or l d h e g a ve t h e m h is S on , an d i n t his

S on he g ave t h e m life The w orl d t o w ho m t his S on w a s .

g ive n w as dead in t respasses an d sin s bu t i n g ivin g t he m ,

t h e S on t h e lover of t h e w orl d g ave t he m l if e a n d t here

fore t his g ift of G od is e m ph at ically st yle d t h e L if e of
t h e w or ld .

As deat h an d dark n ess i n t h e la n g uag e of reve l at io n

are so n early relat ed as frequen t ly t o be con si dered
sy n o n ym ous so lig ht an d life see m expressive of t h e
,

sa me t hin g I n t h e Word t hat w as made fl esh w e are

.
,

t old w a s l ife an d t his life w as t h e li g ht of m e n w hich

, , ,

i s aft e r w ards called t h e t ru e l i g h t w hich e n l i g h t e n e t h

e ve r y m a n t h a t co m e t h in t o t h e w o r l d Whe n C h rist .
,

sait h t h e A post le w h o is ou r l if e sh all appear t he n shall

, , ,

ye also app ear w it h h i m i n g lory Because sait h t h e .

,

S aviour I l i ve y e s h a l l l ive a ls o
, , I n t his s e ed as t h e .
,

dw ellin g p lace of all g e n erat ion s w e l i ve an d as t h is

-

se e d w h ich is Christ is t h e sam e yest e rday t o day an d

, , ,
-
,

forever t h e life w hich t h e fa milies of t h e eart h have in

,

h i m m us t be a n e ve r la s t i n g l if e N or c an an y of t h e f am .

il i e s of t h e eart h eve r lose t his life because i t is hid w it h ,

Christ in God ; a n d as it is o n ly in h i m an y of t h e f a m
il i e s of t h e eart h ho w ever excelle n t t hey m ay be i n
,

t he m selves can h ave life he t hat hat h n ot t h e S on

, ,

h at h n ot life n or ca n he see life ,

B u t God so lov e d t h e .

w o rld he g av e t h e m t h e S on ; n or w ill he ever t ake t his

g ift a w ay fro m t h e w orld for t h e g if ts as w e ll as t h e , ,

Ca ll i n g s of God are w i t h ou t r ep en t a n ce
,
God w ill n ever .
,

t h e refore repe n t t hat he so loved t h e w orl d as t o g ive

,

t he m his S on an d i n t his S on life ; havi n g loved t h e

,

w orld he w ill forever love t he m for he chan g e t h n ot he ,

is of on e m i n d w it hout variable n ess, or eve n t h e shado w

,

of t urn in g .

Fift hly I n t his seed all t h e families of t h e eart h are

.

bles sed w it h peace Pe ace i s made for t he m by th e bl ood .

496 UNI V ERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

t he The cou n c il o f p e a ce w as bet w e e n t h e m bot h ,

f
o cr oss.

t h e h ea d f
o e ve ry ma n , w h ic h is Chr ist , a n d t h e he a d
of Christ w hich is t h e div in e n a tu re There is n o peace
,
.
,

sait h my G od t o t h e w icked ; h e n ce, as t h e co mmissio n

,

of s in co n st it ut es t h i s charact er an d as t here is n o man ,

t h at live t h an d sin n e t h n ot i t is cl ear t hat n o man can

,

be j u stl y en t it led t o p e a ce i n h i ms e lf or ou t of t his S E E D .

God s coven a n t is c alled a coven an t of peace bu t Jesus

’
, ,

t h e pro mi se d S E E D is dec l ared t o b e t h e cove n an t of t h e

,

people I t is t herefore w e hear t h e prophe t decl are

.
,

This man shall be ou r p ea ce eve n w hen t h e Assyrian ,

com et h in t o our lan d Whe n t h e an g els w ere se n t t o

.

proclaim t h e birt h of t h e w orld S av i ou r t hey proclai med -

peace on eart h a n d t hi s w a s g lad t i din g s t o a l l pe ople

,
.

The S av i our t herefore, se n t fort h his servan t s t o preach

,

peace t o t hem t hat w ere n ig h an d t o t he m th a t w ere afar

off ; an d w he n he w as g oi n g for a l it t le t im e t o leave

t he m h e said M y p ea ce I l e a ve w i t h you
, These t hi n gs .
,

sai t h t he S aviour, have I spoken t hat i n me ye mi g ht h a ve ,

p e a ce . The A post les w h o preached peace by Jesus, w h o ,

t h ey assure us w as L ord of a ll, i n form us w e are c alled

,

t o pe ace ; t h at t h e ki n g dom of God is j oy an d p eace t h e ,

fruit of t h e S piri t is love joy an d p e a ce , ,

.

Jesus h ims e lf is ou r p e a ce w h o hat h m ade both on e , ,

J e w an d Ge n t il e , an d hat h broke n do w n t h e middle w all

of part it ion bet w ee n us h avi n g abolished i n h is fl es h t h e
,

en m it y t o m ake i n himse lf of tw a in on e n e w ma n so ma k ,

i n g p e a ce an d t hat he mi g h t recon cile bo t h i n on e b

, od y

by t h e cross havi n g s l ai n t h e e n mit y t h ereby an d cam e

, ,

an d preached p e a ce t o you w h ich w e re a a r o

f fi an d t o
‘
;

t hem t hat w ere n i g h ; for t hroug h hi m w e bot h have ao

cess by on e sp iri t u n to t he F a t h e r Thus w e fin d t hat t h e .

ful n ess of J e w an d Gen t ile are t h e s ubject s of t h e p e ace

w here w it h t hey are blessed i n t h e s e e d of Abraha m
t h e e n mi t y is abol i she d in his fie sh ; bo t h a re reco n cile d
i n one b ody Yea, t h e bl in d an d th e ig n oran t are t h e
.
 M R M URRAY ’S
. P AM PHLET . 49 7

subject s of t hi s peace He n ce t h e t hi n g s w hi ch are hid

.

fro m t heir eyes are t h e t hin g s w hich n ot on ly ma k e f or

p e a ce bu t for th e i r peace fro m w hose eyes t hey w ere h i d
, .

When t h e G od of pe a ce w ould co mfort hi s people he

t old t he m t h at t heir s e e d should in herit t h e Ge n t iles an d ,

make t h e desolat e places be i n ha bit ed ; for sait h t he ,

L ord, t h y M aker is t h y Husban d t h e L ord of Host s is ,

hi s n ame t h e Go d of t h e w h ole e a r t h sh al l he be called

, .

I n a lit t l e w rat h sait h t h e Jehovah I hid my face for a

, ,

m om e n t bu t w it h everlas t in g kin dn ess w ill I h ave m ercy

,

on t hee ; a n d Jehovah s ai d t o t h e servan t t hat be upheld ,

t o h i s elec t i n w hom he t ook d eli g ht I t is a li g ht t hi n g ,

t hat t hou shouldes t be m y servan t t o raise up t h e t ribes

of Jacob an d t o rest ore t h e preserved of Israel I w ill
, .

a l so g ive t hee for a li g h t t o t h e Ge n t iles t hat t hou m ay ,

e st be my s a l va t ion u n t o t h e e n ds o
f th e e a r th .

Ag ai n Thus sait h t h e L ord The Redee mer of Israe l ,

an d his Ho ly On e kin g s shall see a n d arise

,
Wherefore .

Because t hey are fait hful N 0 because of t h e Lord t hat ,

is fait hful Thus sait h t h e L ord I n an accept able t i me

.
,

have I heard t hee, an d i n a day of sal vat io n have I helped

t hee an d I w ill preserve t hee an d g ive t hee f or a cove ,

n an t for t h e people For w hat purpos e ? t o est abl i sh

.

t h e eart h t o cause t o in herit t h e desol at e herit ag es t hat

, ,

t hou mayes t say t o t h e prison ers Go fo rt h ; t o t he m ,

t hat are i n dark n ess S ho w yourselves , They shall feed .

i n t h e w ays, an d t heir past ur es shal l be i n hi g h places ;

t hey shal l n ot hun g er n or t hir st n eit her shall t h e heat ,

n or su n smit e t he m for he t hat hat h m ercy on t he m shall

,

lead t hem Behold t hese shal l co m e from f ar B u t

.
,
.

w h o are t hese pri son ers chil dren of darkn ess, on

w hom t h e God of t h e w hole eart h should have m ercy ,

an d w h o should, i n t h e g reat n ess of his g oodn ess t hrou g h ,

t he i n s t rumen t ali t y of t h e S eed his servan t lead t hese , ,

blin d by a w ay t hey kn e w n ot eve n t h e w ay of peace,

,

w h i ch i s t h e w ay everlast i n g .

VO L I . . 32
49 8 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

“B u t
, S ixt hly : I n thi s seed all
fa milies of t h e
t he
eart h are blessed w it h r e con ci l i a ti on He n ce w e fin d
.

t h e recon ci led God co m mit t i n g t o t h e Ap os t les t h e min

i st ry of recon cil iat ion , charg i n g th em t o t e ll th e w orl d
t hat G od w as i n Chris t re con cil i n g t he m u n t o h i mse l f,
n ot i m put i n g un t o t he m t hei r t respasses ; co mm an di n g

t h e m t o t ell every creat ure t hat J e sus w as m ade si n for

t he m, t hat t hey m ay be m ade t h e ri g ht eous n ess of God
in h i m .An d t hat t h i s recon cil iat io n w as a matt er
be g u n , carried on , an d complet ed on behalf of t h e lost
w orld i n t h e S aviour of t h e w orld wi t hout th e cre a
, ,

t ure s kn o w ledg e or asse t is plain from

’
’
n ,
t h e A pos le s
t
beseechi n g t h e people he m ade t hi s declarat ion t o, t o be
reco n ciled t o God S o t hat w e see, as clear as w e see
.

t h e su n a t n oon da y t hat t h e peace m ade on t h e cross

,

co n firm ed t h e recon cil iat ion on God’s par t on behal f of ,

t hose w h o in t h e m selves w ere e n e m ies t o God B u t t his .

reco n ciliat io n w as pre ac hed un t o t he m, t hat t hey m ay

be on believi n g it recon ciled t o God Thus w e see t hat .

God i s recon ciled a nd w ell pleased for h is ri g ht eous n ess’

,

sake i n w hom he w as recon cilin g t h e w orld u n t o h im

self ; an d i n order t hat t his may be don e i n a w ay per
f e ct l y con form able t o eve ry rul e of e quit y an d j u st i ce ,

t h e w hole w orld of man ki n d w ere, t o t h e eye of t h e just

God t o w ho m t hey w ere accoun t abl e , collect e d i n t heir
H e a d, Jesus n or t hey alo n e ; t he i r in i quit ies w ere co l
,

l e ct e d t h ere also The L ord laid on hi m t h e in iquit i es

.

of u s a l l an d n ot on ly t h e in iquit ies of us all bu t a l l ou r

, ,

in i quit ies ; for t h e spirit of God assure s u s t hat Jesus

bare a l l ou r sin s in hi s ow n b ody on t h e t ree An d t hat .

t here ma y be n ot hi n g t o preve n t a recon ciliat io n t ak i n g

place on t h e pri n ciples of st rict j ust ice it ple ased t h e ,

L ord t o bruise hi m on w ho m an d i n w hose body t h e

i n iquit ies w ere an d h is soul bein g exceedin g sorro , w fu l ,

e ve n un t o deat h , w as fin ally m ade an o e r i n so

g f or si n
’

fi
t h at h e a s a si n ofi er i n g w as d e livered up t o d e a th or
'

f
 MR . M URRAY S ’
PAM PHLET .
’

499

u s all . Je sus t h erefore f i n is h in g t h e t r a n sg r e ss i o

n, mk
a

in g an en d
f o p s in , u fro m befo re God by t h e
tt in g i t aw ay -

s a cr ifice o f h i m se lf th e cause bein g t hus re move d t h e

;

eff ec t ceases ; God is recon ciled ; his jus t ice h as all it

de man ded ; his t rut h is fulfilled ; mercy a n d t rut h have
m e t t o g e t her ; ri gh t eous n ess an d peace h ave e mbrac e d
“

each o t her T h e co n seque n ce is Glory t o God in t h e

.
,

hi g h est a n d on eart h peace a n d g ood w ill t o m e n "

,
-

“
Thus m y belove d frien ds w e are assured by t h e
, ,

voice of Je h ovah fro m above t h e ladder t h at h ow ,

w re t ch ed soev e r his o ff spri n g may be i n t h is dist e m pere d

st at e of t hin g s, ho w ever l ow t h ey may ha ve fallen h ow ,

far soever t h ey may have be e n led capt i ve by t heir lust s

( w hic h w a r ag ai n s t t h eir souls ) h ow lo n g so e ver t h e y,

m ay h e suff ered t o bear t h e i m ag e of t h e ear t h y — t h e ,

lover of t heir souls w h o so loved t he m as t o g ive t h e m

h i s S on a n d i n t his S on g race before t h e w orld w a s hat h
, , ,

a ssured us t hat i n co n sequ e n ce of all t h e fam ilies of t h e

eart h bein g i n t h is se e d ble ssed t hey sh all be brou g ht ,

ult i m at ely in t o t h e g lorious libert y of t h e S o n s of God ;

t hey shall be brou g ht ou t of t h e es t at e of si n and m is
ery i n w hich t h ey are an d brou ght i n t o a st at e of salva
,

t io n fro m all t hese si n s a n d so r ro w s by a Re de e mer ; for

w e have heard t h e voice of ou r fai t hful C reat or sayi n g

u n t o t h e pat riarch I n t h y S E E D s h a l l a l l t h e f a
, m i l i e s of
t h e e a r th b e bl es s e d M ay w e ve n t ure t o beli e v e t his
.

Is t his i n deed t h e w ord of Jehovah I t i s or i t is n ot .

If it is n ot w hat reaso n have w e t o b e l i eve a n y bt h e r

,

t es t i m o n y delivered un de r t h e sam e si g n at ure If it is

n ot t I u e h ow t he n can w e be direc t ed by t his rul e
, ,

w h i ch w e h ave bee n t au g ht t o beli e ve T h e o n ly rule

A re w e blesse d wi t h a re v el a
'

g i ve n f or our direc t io n ?
t io n i n w hic h w e g ai n t h e kn o w led g e of W h at We n e ver
could have k n o w n w it hou t it an d y e t are w e n ot all ow e d
,

t o t ake t his revelat io n as i t i s g ive n H owt h e n ca n it

prope r ly be called a r eve l a ti on if it doe s n ot r e ve a l the ,
5 00 UNI V ERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

min d of t h e speaker If G od di d n ot m ean w h at h e

said t o Jacob h ow are w e e ver t o fin d ou t w hat he
,

m e an t We have n o ot her revelat ion fro m h i m a n d if ,

w e have n o o t her fro m h i m by w hat rule can an y on e

,

de t er min e w hat he mean t B u t shoul d a n y on e u n der

t ake t o reveal as t h e min d of God n ot on l y w hat is n ot
, ,

e xpressed b u t so m e t hin g di am e t r i cally O pposit e t here t o

, ,

t his could n ot be call e d di v i n e revelat ion i n as m uc h as ,

t h e reveal er w ould be m erely hu man S houl d i t be said.

t hat man y part s of divi n e revelat io n c an n ot on m a n y ,

ac coun t s be clearly u n derst ood ; suppose t his should be

,

g ran t ed does it follo w t hat t here is n o p a rt of divi n e

,

revel at io n t h at c a n be un derst ood Sh ould t his b e t h e

case t he n it w ould cl early follo w t hat w e have n o re ve l a
,

t i on at all B u t if t here is an y part of revel at ion t hat

.

m ay b e co n sidered c l e a r a n d p la i n , i t is t h e subj ect

before us ; an d as it is t h e g osp el ordain ed t o be preached
t o ev ery cre a t u r e w e should suppose it w as desi g n ed as a
,

r e ve l a t i on to e ve r y cr e a tu r e
(pp 1 4 .

The foreg oin g seems t o be t h e cl earest w ritte n o f an y

of M r M urray s pu bli shed d i scourses an d gives a c om
.
’
,

prehen s ive vi e w o f hi s pecu liar t h eo l og y w h i ch w as all ,

b ase d on h i s t heory o f t h e u n i on o f Chr is t w it h hu m an

ity . He regarded it w e t h in k as his b est presen t at i on
, ,

of h i s op in i on s an d w as ev i den t ly flat t ered b y t h e re

,

ce p t ion
gi ve n t o it b y t h e pu bli c I n se n d in g a copy t o
.

t h e Re v Rob ert Re dd in g of En gl an d he t hus speaks

.
,

o f it
Nov e mbe r 8, 1 7 9 7 .

I n ow se n d you a n ot her b ook I se n d it t o you . .

I g ive y ou i n t his an ot her pr oof of my g ood opin io n of

you an d my co n fide n ce in you I do n ot co n s i der y ou
,
.

a bel iever i n t h e doct rin e co n t ain ed t herein ; y e t I se n d

i t t o y ou I did n ot con side r so me of t h e clerg y of t h is
.
 SEC RET UNI VERSALI S M . 5 01

t ow n believers of t h e g ospel w hich is t h e subject of t h i s

pa m phle t ; y e t I se n t it t o t he m a n d w as n ot a lit t le ,

surprised w he n on e of t he m a Doct or Clark l t old m e , ,

t hat t hou g h he w ould n ot say t hat his bre t hre n of t h e

clerg y be lieved e ver y t hi n g co n t ai n ed t herein y e t he ,

had t h e pleasure t o assure m e t hey w ere all very much

pleased t h ere w it h a n d s a id t h e y t h oug ht it did m e m uch
,

ho n or B u t I am t old by on e of t heir order t hat t he re

.

are bu t t h ree of t h e clergy in t h is t o w n w h o are n ot be

l i e v e r s of t h e g ospel God preached t o Abraha m I
freque n t ly m
.

e e t w i t h m i n is t ers at public e n t er t ai n m e n t s ,

w h o i n a w hisper t ell m e t hey h a ve bee n for so m e

years believers i n t h e doct ri n e s I preach bu t are afraid ,

t o t ell t heir people so S o it w as of old

. There w ere .

m an y of t h e chief ru lers w h o belie ved bu t t hey p r o ,

fessed it n ot ope n ly Ho w eve r t h e t i m e w ill com e w hen

.
,

t hey w ill n ot be afraid t o m ake a n ope n con fessio n

of it w he n t hey w ill n ot st agg er at t h e pro m ises t hrou g h
un b e lief bu t bei n g t au ght of God t hey w ill be st ro n g
, ,

i n fait h g ivi n g g lory t o God

,
.

n eed n ot t ell you my loved fr ie n d t hat w h at ever

“I
, ,

t his book co n t ai n s I believe is t h e t rut h of God If I .

di d n ot I should n ot publish it If I did n ot I should .

n ot p r eac h a t all ; or if I did I should n ot k n o w w hat

, ,

t o do w i t h t h e S crip t ures If I did n ot I should differ

.
,

fro m all God s holy p roph e t s by w hose m out h God

’
,

S p a ke ever si n ce t h e be g i n n i n g of t h e w orld B u t be .

lievi n g as I do I feel my heart disposed t o love God an d

,

m y brot he r also .N or c an I ce n sure a n y on e for n ot

b e lievi n g ; for fait h is t h e g ift of God I n fact I h ave .
,

oft e n w o n dered t hat so m uch has b ee n said respect i n g

believin g a n d so lit t le said of t h e mat t er t o be believe d
,
.

L e t me see t h e t rut h I can n o m ore help believi n g it

,

1 Probabl y Re v . Joh n Cl ar k e, D D
. .
,
su cce ssor t o D r C h au n ce . y . Se e
C h a pt e r I .
5 02 UNI VERSALI S M I N AM ERI CA .

t han I ca n help breat hin g ; an d t ill I can see it t ill I ,

a m able t o see t he t rut h of an y prop osit io n I ca n n o ,

m ore beli e ve it t han I can m ake a w orld I co n ceive, .

t herefore, t h ere can n ot be a m ore i n co n sis t e n t charac t er

i n t h e w orld t han a n u n chari t able ce n sorious b eliever of
, ,

t h e t rut h as i t is i n Jcsus B u t n o m ore of t his . You .

w ill read m y feeble at t e mp t a t i n vest i g at i n g t rut h a n d ,

i n yo u r ow n dear g ood w ay t el l m e w here I am w ro n g , .

You k n o w I shall t ake v ery ki n dly everyt h in g fro m

Of Re v Dr C larke
. .
, M r . M u rr ay w r it es t o a n o t her
fri en d
A pril 9 , 1 7 98 .

I su ppose you have h eard of t h e sudden de at h of Dr .

Clark I sa w h im on S at u rday ; he w a s n ever be tt er i n

.

m in d i n body or es t at e
, ,
He preached on S un day w ell
.
,

very w ell ; in t h e aft ern oo n he preached ag ai n — n ot

lo n g ; he beg an his t ext : Thou a rt holy 0 Thou t hat ‘
,

in habit est t h e prai ses of Israel ’ He proceeded bu t a .

lit tle w ay before he w as called ; for he dropped dow n

i n t h e pulpi t ; h ad n o more se n se died b efore n ext m orn
in g . Happy man " he left t h e w orld i n t h e m eridian
of his days an d fame There w a s a po mpous p r oc e s
.
~

sio n fro m his house t o his m eet i n g an d Dr Ho w ard ,

.

prayed an d D r That cher preached

, . I have lost i n .

Dr Clark t h e best frien d I had i n t h e clerical char

.

act er at least in t his t ow n ; his deat h is in deed a

,

public loss ; bu t soo n very soon w e shall follo w

,
I , .

believe I ow e Dr Clark t h e k i n d t reat m en t I have lat ely

.

me t w it h fro m t h e cler gy of t his t ow n , an d t his h as bee n

pleasi n g t o me H ow frien ds drop " Who w ould have
.

t hou ght hi m a subject for apo ple xy I paid w it h

g reat s i n cerit y t h e t ribut e of respect t o Dr Clark s me m
’
.

1 U n iv e rsal ist Q u art e rl y Oct obe r

, , 1 86 9 , pp 424, 42 5
. .
 REV . DR
. CLARK. 5 03

ory yest erday aft ern oo n t hat w a s hi s due I t w as t his .

g ood m an I fixed on t h e las t t i m e I w as s i ck, an d t ill his

d eath t o a t t e n d my fun eral
,
I t must, i n co n f orm it y
.

w it h cust om I presum e be at t en de d
, , I shal l pit y .

w hoever are asked t o ofiic iat e ; at l east I n ow pity t he m ;

I sh al l n ot t h en There is t oo much par ade on t hese
.

” 1
o ccas ion s
.

1 T he Ladie s Re posit or
’
y , vol . xiv. p 191
. .
 C HAPTER V I I .

1 798 1 800 .

THE PH I LAD E L PH I A CO N V T EN I ON OF 17 9 8 . T HE NE W E N GLAN D CO N

‘

V E NT I O N IN 1 7 98 . S . D E L AN OE ’S P P AM HL ET RE V A RI E L KE N
. .

B RI C K ’
S RE PL Y
DE L ANOE
“

RE V S A M U E L S H E AR D ’S A M H L E
To . . P P P T
G T V
A AI N S U N I E RS A L I S M S I N , A N D N O T S I N N E Rs, U N I S H E D
. M R P . .

Y TT
M U RR A S LE
’
E R T o HO S E A B A LLO U M R B A LLO U I N M R M U R . . .

RA Y P PT
’
S UL I T I N B OS O N M RS M U RRA D I S U R E D . M R JO N A . Y T B . .

T H AN B A L C H H E R M O U I H PI E C E T H E CO M M I ’

P G
A O LO I Z E T o M R B AL L O U
T I O N O F T H E SO N
E E O F T H E SO C I E
‘
o
. TT TY
M R M U RR A ’S V I E W S O N T H E S U B J E G
. . . Y
M R B AL LO U R E E U S E S T O G I v E EN C O U RA E M E N
. .
’

G T
T TT
T H A H E WI L L S E LE I N B O S O N — T H E N E W EN L A N D C O N E N I O N T . G V T
I N 1 7 99 T
RE V WA L E R FE RRI S S
. . RE V N S A C ’S AC C OUN O F . . . T Y T
V T
T H E CO N E N I O N T H E E A S E RN AS S O C I A I O N O R A N I Z E D
. C AP T T G .

T P P
A I N J O SE H E A RC E RE V T H O M A S B A R N S I N M AI N E
. TH E . .

S U I C I D E S FU N E R A L — CO R RE S O N D E N C E
‘
.E W E E N RE V JO E L Fos P B T .

T E R , A M , A N D RE V H O S E A B ALL O U
. . M R B AL L O U ’S I N E R R E A
. . T P T .

T I O N O F S C RI U RE A T HI S PT
IM E T
M R B AL LO U ’ s B E L I E I N FU U R E T . F . T
P UN I S HM E N T
N E W EN L AN D C O N E N I O N I N 180 0 A O I N S C O M
. G V T PP T
’ ‘
M I T I E ES ON O R D I N A I O N A N D D I S C I LI N E T
I S SU E S LE E RS O F P TT .

LI C E N S E RE V ED M U N D PI LL S R U RY
. . RE V J O H N FO S E R RE V . T . . .

M I L E S T WO O LE . Y
RE V E D WA R D T URN E R . RE V J O SH UA FLA. GG . . .

RE V E D W I N FE RR I S S
. H I S “ L AI N RE S I U I O N I S " — L E I S
. P TT T T G .

T
L A I O N O F T H E N E W EN L A N D C O N E N I O N
. G
T H E T E M E RA N C E V T P .

Q UES I ON T U N I V E RS A L I s T
. RE A C H E RS I N T H E U N I E D S A E S A T P T T T
T H E C LO S E O F T H E E I H E E N H C E N U R G T T T Y .

H E sess i on of t h e
Philade l ph ia Con ven t i on in 1 7 9 8
w as he l d in M ay I t w as cal l ed a n d t h e t im e .
,

design at ed b y t h e church i n P h il adel ph ia as appears

, ,

from th e l et t er addressed by t hat church t o t he Con

v e n t ion

In co sequen ce of our cit y s be in g visit ed last fall

n
’

w it h a n aw ful S ick n ess an d n ot kn o w i n g bu t it s fa t e ,

m i g ht b e of t h e sam e n at ure i n t hat w hich is co m in g w e ,

t ook u n der co n siderat io n t h e proprie t y of reco mm e n din g

a Co n ve n t io n for t h is y e ar at t h e sam e t i m e t hat w a s
fixed at i t s first e s t ablishme n t An d co n ceivin g it t o be .
 P AM PHLET C ONT RO VERSI ES .
5 05

proper t ook t h e libert y of addressi n g t hose let t ers w hich

,

you received for t hat purpose We w oul d reco m men d .

t hat t h e Con ve n t io n m ake a p er man e n t es t ablishm e n t as

t o t h e t i m e of t heir co n v e n i n g in fut ure ” .

Prob abl y t h e S i ckn ess spoken of had preven t ed a

sess i on in 1 7 9 7 as t he N e w Brit a i n church sa i d in t heir
,

le tt er : We do much a pprove t h e con duct of our s i s t er

church i n Philadel ph ia in propos in g t h e presen t C on
.

”
v e n t i on .

The Phi l adel ph ia Kin g w ood N e w Brit ain an d N e w

, , ,

Han over churches report ed t o t h e sess ion in 1 7 9 8 .

The M in ut es are imperfect an d impart lit t le kn o w l edge

,

of t h e b usin ess t ran sac t ed b eyon d t h e fact t hat t he ,

Co n ven t io n adj ourn ed t o m eet i n M ay 1 7 9 9 , .

The N e w E n gl an d Co n ven t i o n me t in S ep t emb er ,

1 7 9 8 in Hard w i ck M ass
, N e i t her records n or c ir
, .

c u l ar l e tt er if t h e l at t er w as i ssued are n ow t o
, ,

b e fou n d .

S o m e t im e in t h e year 1 7 9 8 a w r it er b y t h e n am e of ,

S D e l a n oe issued a pamph le t in rep ly t o Will ia m Hu n t

.

A dvocat es for Dev il s Refut ed an En g lis h

’ ”
in gt on s ,

pamph le t di rect ed ag ain s t Win chest er a n d w hi ch had ,

b ee n re pu bl ished in Ph il adelph ia in 1 7 96 a n d in dus

-

t ri ou sl y a n d ext en s i ve l y c i rcu l a t ed We have n ever .

see n M r D e l a n oe s pam ph l e t a n d have n o furt her

.
’
,

kn o w l edg e of h i m ; bu t he w a s probabl y a residen t of

V ermon t or N e w Ham pshire Rev A rie l Ke n drick a . .
,

Bapt ist preacher in Woods t ock V t publ ished t h e sa m e ,

.
,

year A Brief Repl y t o a P amph le t l at e ly pu bli shed b y

,

S D e l a n oe [u n der t h e fic t it ious n ame of

.

in favor of U n i versalis m Fro m t hi s Reply w e n u

.

de rst a n d t ha t M r D e l a n oe w as a Rellyan
. .
 506 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

The same year Rev Sam ue l Shepard, pas t or o f a .

Bap t is t church at Bre n t w ood N H publi shed “ The ,

. .
, .

Prin cip le of Un i versal Sal va t i on E xam in ed e t c ; in an , .

E pis t l e t o a Frie n d I t appears t o h ave b ee n addressed

”
.

t o so m e on e w h o had formerl y b een a Bap t is t bu t w as ,

n ow a Un iversa li s t a n d pro b abl y a preacher of U n i

,

ve rs al ism an d w h o professed t o b e li eve t ha t s i n s a n d

, ,

n ot s in n ers are se n t in t o pun i shmen t

, We ge t n o c l ew .

t o t h e n ame or l ocat i on of t h i s person He is t h e on ly .

w r it er fro m w hose pu bli cat i on s w e have see n an y q uo

t a t i on s in d i cat in g t h e b e li ef t hat sin s an d n ot sin n ers , ,

w ere pu n is hed . M r M urray it w il l b e remem b ered,

.
,

w as quo t ed u n der da t e of 1 7 9 1 ( chapt er as a t t ribu t

in g t h i s b e lie f t o so m e U n iversalis t s .

I n O c t ob er 1 7 9 8 M r M urray addressed t h e foll ow in g

, ,
.

l et t er from Bost on t o M r Ball ou t hen in Hard w i ck.

,

M Y D E AR BRO T H E R You are sen sible I presum e t hat

, , ,

som e t i m e past you delivered in t h is t ow n so me mat t ers

n ot u i t e pleasi n g t o m e I ca n n o t a c t a hypoc ri t ical
q .

part an d ap pear w hat I am n ot ; I have si n ce ho w ever

, , ,

n ot o n ly h eard you deliver t h e t rut h b u t h ave bee n m uch ,

delig ht ed by t h e accoun t I have heard fro m Glouc e st er of

your labors t he re You w ill see by w hat follo w s I a m
.

si n cere in my com me n d a t i on s as in m y ce n su r e s a n d as I
e xp r essed m y dislike w he n I fe lt i t I a m n ow g oi n g t o ,

g ive you full evide n ce of m y h e a r ty approbat io n a n d m y

readin ess t o pro m o t e your i n te r e s t I a m g oin g for a f e w .

w eeks t o t h e sout h w ard I have reco mme n ded y ou t o

.

my frie n ds t o supply m y place I have spoke n O f you i n .

such a man n e r as is pleasi n g t o t he m I w ish s in cere l y .

you m ay co m e un t o t hem direct ly an d I w ait o n ly y our ,

an s w er t o se t ou t I can n ot say h ow lon g I shall be ah

.

se n t ; I con t e mplat e five or six w eek s Were I a s in g le .

 M R M URRAY ’S LETT ER
’

. . 507

man I w ou ld l eave my w h ol e
s u pport w it h you as a c om
p e n sat i on for your t i me ; bu t
as I le ave t w o t hirds of m e -

be h in d I shal l g ive ab out half of my promis e d supp ort

, .

I a m w ill in g t o all o w you t e n dol lars a S un day w h ile I

am absen t . Your l ivi n g w il l cos t you n ot hin g you m ay
visit th e adj acen t part s of t h e coun t ry in th e vicin it y of
Bost o n all t h e w eek if you ch oose it or visit t h e frie n ds ,

in t his t o w n , w here you Will be su re of a w e l com e You .

w ill preac h t o m an y s t ra n g e r s h e re an d be by t h is m ean s

,

m ore abun dan t ly kn ow n ; an d I presum e, i f you fare n o,

bett er t han I do w he n I j ourn ey you w ill g ain mor e ,

t ow a rds t h e support of your fami ly here for t h e t i me you

con t in ue here, t ha n you w oul d for t h e same t im e an y
w here else ; so t hat in eve ry poin t of Vi e w i t w ill be your
'

in t eres t t o come here S hould you have made ot her e n

.

g ag e m e n t s you ca n plea d t h e n ecessi t y of att e n di n g on

t h e prese n t occasio n as a m ere t e mporary mat t er which ,

may n ot occur ag ain , an d t hat so me t i me back y ou eu

c ou ra g e d y our fr i en ds i n t his t o w n t o b elieve you w oul d

supply t he m S ho ul d t hey st an d i n n eed of you You w ill .

have t h e g oodn ess to w rit e direct ly t o l e t us kn o w w hat

w e have t o depen d upo n an d if you can n ot co m e sen d
,

M r Coffin or M r L at he I S houl d hope how ever t h at you

. . .
, ,

w ill be able an d w i llin g t o co m e yourself ; a n d S hould

you com e, M rs M u rray w h o had t h e pleasure of hearin g
.
,

you su n dry t i mes in Gloucest er much t o her sat isfact ion ,

w ill be g l ad t o see y ou a t her habit at ion as oft e n as pos

sible I hope t h e presen ce of t h e S avi our w ill be w it h
.

you w ar min g your heart an d t h e heart s of your hearers

,

an d should I ever re t ur n I t rust w e shall rejoice t o g et her

in t hi s h Ope I re main
.
,

Your afie ct ion at e frie n d an d devot ed se rvan t

’

J O H N M U RR AY .

A ppen ded t o t h e lett er w as the foll owin g from on e of

the mem b ers o f t he soc ie t y
508 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

DEA R B R O T H E R — I have o n ly t o add t hat a n umber

,

of our bre t hren have request e d m e t o request you t o

co m e if possible They are very earn est for i t an d I
.
,

doubt n ot bu t you w ill be m uch g rat ified i n t h e frie n dly

visit For my part I must be g your co m plian ce w it h
.

M r M urray s reques t
. I am ’
.
,

Your sin cere frie n d an d brot her M OS E S H A LE l , .

The proposal w as accept ed b y M r Ball ou an d he .

,

preached t e n S u n days in M r M urray s pu l p it An in .

’
.

c ide n t co n n ect ed w i t h t h e c l ose of t h is e n g ag e m e n t is

t h u s n arra t ed b y t h e l at e Dr Wh it t emore w hose au t hor .

,

ity for t h e st at emen t w as M r Ball ou h imse l f .

last S un day of t h e e n g ag e m e n t in t h e aft er

On t h e ,

n oo n he t ook occas ion t o call up t he passag e 1 Cor xv

, . .

26—28 i n w hich Jesus is spoke n of as deliveri n g up t h e

,

kin g do m t o God t h e Fat her M rs M urray by t h e w a y . .

, ,

believed t hat t h e S on w ho is t o deliver up t h e ki n g do m

'

t o t h e Fat her w as t h e S on of perdi t io n an d t hat God

‘ ’
,

w ould fin ally succeed i n g e t t i n g t h e k i n g do m ou t of his

han ds M r Ballou believed t hat it w as t h e S on of God

. .

w h o w ould deliver u p t h e m e di a t or i a l ki n g do m t o God ,

w he n he had broug ht all t hi n g s i n t o subj e ct io n t o h i m

self an d God sh ould t he n be All i n Al l M r Ballou did
, . .

n ot d e sire t o O ppose t h e se n t i m e n t s of M r s M urray ; but .

i t cam e ou t of course t hat he believed t hat t h e s on w a s t h e

S on of God ; a n d t hat as t h e S on w a s t o deliver up t h e
kin g dom t o t h e Fat h er he him self could n ot be t h e Fa t her
,
.

The serm on w a s received w it h ext raordin ary at t e n t ion .

t hrou g hout The con cludin g prayer w as offered an d M r

.
,
.

Ballou arose t o read his last hy mn M r s M urray ( w h o by . .

,

t h e w ay w a s a m ost u n easy S p irit ) had e m ployed t h e t i m e

,

of t h e con cl u din g prayer t o becko n a M r Tirrell t o her .

pe w w ho m she despat ched t o t h e si n g in g seat s t o reque st

-
,

1 F r om a C op yp re se r v e d a m on g t h e pa pe rs of t h e F ir st U n iv e rsal
ist S oci e t y , B ost on , in t h e Un ive rsal ist Hist orical Socie t y ’
s L ibrar y .
 S C ENE IN T HE B O ST ON C HURC H . 5 09

M r Jon at han Balch w h o sat t here t o g ive n o t ice t ha t t h e

.
, ,

doct ri n e w h ich had bee n preache d by M r Ballou on t hat .

aft ern o on w as n ot t h e doct rin e w hich w a s usually

preache d i n t hat house Just as M r Ballou rose t o an . .

n oun ce t h e hy m n M r Balch t o t h e g reat as t on is h m e n t

,
.
,

of t h e co n g re g at io n broke fort h fro m t h e si n i n

g g seat s -
,

w it h a n an n un ciat io n in subst an ce as follo w s : I w ish t o

g ive n o t ice t hat t h e doc t ri n e w hich has be e n preac he d
here t his aft er n oo n is n ot t h e doct rin e w h ich is usually
p reach ed i n t his h ouse M r Ballou list e n e d at t e n t ively
’
. .

t o M r Balch s re m ark an d af t e r sayi n

’
.

g ,The audi e n ce ,
‘

w il l ple as e t o t ake n o t ice of w hat our b r ot her has said ’

,

procee ded t o read t h e h ym n w hich w a s sun g The , .

people w ere i n di g n an t a t M r Balch w h o had so u n n e ce s .

,

sarily dist urbed t h e con gr e g at ion a n d t reat ed M r Ballou .

w it h rude n ess A m ee t i n g of t h e paris h comm i t t ee w as

.

called by t h e se xt o n bei n g se n t rou n d t o n o t ify each

m e m ber t hereof before he left h i s p e w ; a n d t h at c om
m it t e e i n co m pan y w it h a n um ber of t h e leadin g m e m
,

bers of t h e socie t y w ait ed on M r Ballou in t h e even in g

,
.
,

a n d apolo g ized f or t h e coarsen e ss a n d i n deco ru m of M r .

Balch a n d st at ed t hat t h e co n g re g at io n decidedly d is

,

app roved w h at he h a d don e I n t h e old m eet in g h ouse .

-

i t w as cust o m ary al w ay s for a part of t h e co n g re g at ion

t o pass ou t t hrou g h t h e ves t ry on t h e back part of t h e
house a n d as t hey p assed so m e of t he m exchan g ed
, ,

t hou g h t s w i t h so m e w arm t h on t h e subject of M r Balch s .

’

i n t errupt io n an d g e n erally i n co n de m n at ion of it

,
S uch .

w ere t h e fact s i n reg ard t o M r Balch s proclam at io n

’
.

ag ain st M r Ballou s O pin io n s I t w a s a m at t er of M r s

.
’
. .

M u rray a n d of M r Balch as her in st rum e n t ; bu t t h e

.

co n g re g at ion at larg e w ere chag rin ed an d w oun ded by

t h e t ra n s ac t ion a n d t h e co mmi t t ee t ook i mm ediat e meas
,

ures t o as sur e M r Ballou of t his fact ” 1

. .

1 L if e of Re v H ose a B all ou ,
. v ol . i pp 146 148
. .
-
.
5 10 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

Mr M .urray d id n ot ho l d w it h M rs M u rray t hat it .

s on of perd it i o n w h o w as t o b e su bj ec t ed t o
“ ”
w as t h e

t h e Fat her bu t t h e human race coll ect ive ly

, In a .

serm o n on 1 Cor xv 28 he says . .

,

“ Wha are w e t o un ders t an d by subdui n

t g U n doubt
e dl y ,
brin g in g in t o subjec t io n B u t brin g in g in t o .

subj e ct ion i m plies previous rebellio n I t is i m pious .

,

t herefore t o sup pose t hat t his son t o be broug h t i n t o

,

subj ect io n w as Christ Jesus Was Christ Jesus i n his

. .
,

i n dividual charact er ever i n a st at e of rebellio n ,

Ye t
w e are t ol d mos t i r r e ve r en t l i t hat at t h e fi n al con s u m
, ,

mat io n O f all t hi n g s w e shall behold a u n iverse O f D e is ts

,

for Chris t Jesus S hall be brou g ht i n t o a st at e of su b j eo4

t ion . B u t such c o n clusio n s c a n o n ly be form ed by t hose

w h o have n ever l e arn ed or w h o have for g o t t e n t hat t h e , ,

charact e rs Fat h er S on an d Holy Ghost are merely

, , , ,

desi g n ed a s an acco m modat ion t o our li m it ed un der

st an din g an d are bu t various exhibit io n s of t h e same
,

on e e t ern al God The off sprin g of God t h e hu m an

.
,

fam ily w a s fi rst exhibit e d in t h e sin g ular charact er ; in

,

t his charact er t hey sin n ed a n d in t h is charac t er t hey ,

m us t be saved : accordin gly w e are ad m on ished t o have

a sin g l e eye (M att he w vi . The li ght of t h e body .
‘

is t h e eye ; if t herefore t hin e e y e be sin gl e t h y w hole

, , ,
’

bo dy shall be full of li ght An d hen ce Je su s C hrist as .

’
, ,

t h e h ea d of every m an is c alled t h e li g ht O f t h e w orld ,

a n d w h e n all t hi n g s shall be subdued un t o h i m w h o is ,

t h e li g ht of th e w orld t he n S hall t h e S on al So w h o w a s , ,

m ade subject t o v an it y be subj ect ed t o van i t y n o m ore , .

Hu m an n at ure in t h e ag g re gat e shall be broug ht in t o

, ,

subject io n t o h im w h o is able t o subdue all t hin g s u n t o

himself ; u n t il t hat p e riod part ial reforms m ay t ake ,

place bu t t h e day of re t ribut io n w ill be t h e day of

,

a l su b
1
fi n j e c t i on .

1 L e t t e rs an d S k e t c h e s of Se rmon s, v ol . iii pp 2 7 7“ 2 7 8
. . .
 MR . M URRAY I N P HI LADELP HI A .
511

Dr Whi tt emore says

.

The t e n S abbat hs w hich M r Ballou h ad spen t in .

Bost o n durin g M r M urray s absen ce had g iven t h e

.
’
,

Un iversalist s of t hat t ow n an O pport un it y t o becom e

bet t er acquain t ed w it h hi m t han t hey ever had bee n
before The con g re g at io n s w hile he preached w ere c e r
.

t ai n l y n ot di m i n ishe d a t all ; a n d he w as re g ar ded by

m a n y of t h e co n g re g at io n as an ext raordi n ary m an for
t ale n t an d kn o w led g e of t h e S cri p t ures He w a s at t his .

t im e t hir t y years of a g e S everal i n divi duals w h o h a d

.
,

bee n m uch i mpressed w it h his t ale n t s his eloque n ce his , ,

O p in io n s a n d t h e clear n ess w i t h w hich he st a t ed an d

,

proved t he m sug g est ed t o h i m if he w ould re move t o

, ,

Bost on an d beco me t h e past or of a n e w societ y t hey ,

w ould at o n ce proceed t o erect a house for h i m B u t h is .

decision w as in st an t ly form ed I can n ot said he do

.
‘
,
’
,
‘

an yt hin g t o in jure Brot her M urray n or t h e b e love d ,

socie t y t o w hich he m in ist ers An d he expressed t h e

.
’

h ope t hat t h e subject m i g ht n ot be m e n t io n ed t o hi m

ag ain ” 1 .

Durin g M r M urray s vis it t o Ph ilade l ph ia

.
’
t hen ,

th e Cap it a l of t h e g e n era l g overn me n t h e ren e w ed ,

-

his fr ie n dshi p w i t h Pres ide n t J ohn A dams an d m ade ,

t h e ac q ua in t an ce of m an y m e n t he n emin en t in pol it ical

li fe He t hus wr ite s
. .

PH I L AD E L PH I A , Fe bru ar y
,
1 7 99 .

I di n ed w it h t h e Preside n t every w eek dran k coff ee ,

w it h hi m so m e t i m es ; w a s freque n t ly i n vit e d by a n d w a s ,

able o n ce t o accept t h e i n vit at io n of din i n g w it h t h e ,

S ecre t ary of S t at e [ Tim ot hy Pickerin g ] i n w hose c om ,

pan y ho w ever I had freque n t ly t h e pleasure of din in g

, ,

i n co m pan y of sun dry ot her g r eat charact ers On N e w .

1 L if e of Re v H os e a B
. all ou ,
vol . i p 16 2
. . .
5 12 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

Year s day I paid my respect s as did hu n dreds bes i des

’
, , ,

t o t h e Preside n t by w ho m I w as i n t roduced t o t h e M in
,

i st e rs an d S ecre t ary of War e t c O n t h e Presiden t s , .

’

in tr oducin g m e t o M r He n ry [James M cH e n r y ] S ecre .

,

t ary of War he O bserved, poin t i n g t o your h umble ser

,

van t This g e n t leman h as performed a g reat feat Si n ce

,
‘

he has been i n t hi s cit y — n ext t o a miracle ; he h as ,

draw n t h e Vice Pres i de n t [Tho mas J e fi e r s on ] t o a place

of w orship I had t old h i m t hat t h e Vice Presiden t w as
.
’

on e of my audien ce on t h e past S u n da y m orn in g The .

S ecret ary of War replied That is n ot t h e o n ly feat of ,

t hat n at ure he has perform ed to my cert ai n kn o w led g e ;

he has draw n man y ou t t o his place of w orship t hat have
n ot b ee n i n an y o t her for m an y years
’
.

In 1 7 9 9, th e N e w E n g l an d Con ve n t ion m e t in
Woodstock V t , .
, Hosea Ball ou , moderator, Walte r
Ferri ss c lerk Thi s i s t h e first men t i on of Wal t er Fer
,
.

riss amo n g U n i versali st s He w as a n at ive of P aw li n g s .

,

D u chess Coun t y N Y w here he w as b orn J an 2 0 , . .

, .
,

1 7 68 Before e n t erin g t h e min i stry he w as a l an d

.

sur veyor H i s ord in at ion occurred in 1 80 1 at w hi ch

.
,

t i me he w a s past or Of t h e U n ite d S oc i et i es o f Char

l ot t e H in esb urg an d M on k t on V t
,
”
As w ill b e seen
, , .

herea ft er he w as emin en t in t he den omin at io n for

,

several yea rs His deat h t ook p lace at Ferr isbu rgh

.
,

V t Apr il 6 1 80 6
, ,
.

The proce edin g s o f t hi s Con ve n t i on are n ot on record .

Fro m an in t e rest in g accoun t o f it b y t h e l at e Rev .

N at han ie l St acy w h o w as prese n t w e give th e foll ow in g

, ,

paragraphs
I shall n ot att empt t o describe t h e sen sat i on s I
e xperi e n ced on approachi n g an d e n t erin g t h e hou se of
1 Th e Lad es Re posit or
i '
y ,
v ol . x v .i pp 1 9 1 , 1 92
. .
 REV . NAT HANI EL S T AC Y . 5 13

w orsh i p for it w ould be i m possible I t seemed as t hough

, .

li ght be amed i n m at ch less g lory fro m above an d heav en ,

h ad t h ro w n w ide ope n it s port als of be aut y " The w ords

of t h e speak er w ere li ke a p recious healin g bal m t o my
soul The re w e re bu t t hree p re a chers prese n t
. our ,

ve n erable fat her Hose a Ballou n ow livi n g in Bost o n

, , ,

M r I Vill ia m Farw ell an d M r Walt er Ferriss

.
, Bot h of . .

t h e lat t er have lon g si n ce bee n n um bered w it h t h e c on ,

gre g a t ion of t h e de ad M r Ballou preached ; an d on e of

. .

his discourses w as on t h e pa rable O f t h e rich man an d

L azaru s an d i t sw ept aw ay t h e las t vest i g e of doubt
,

a n d d arkn ess fr o m my m in d I follo w ed t h e clergy me n .

aroun d as closely as possible so as t o c at ch eve ry w ord ; ,

ven t ur e d in t o t h e coun cil C h am ber i n t h e i n t erm issio n ,

-

w here t h ey t o g et h er w it h m an y ot her frie n ds w ere

, ,

asse mbled an d w h ere also t h e exc e llen t choir led by

, ,

t h e ce le brat e d t each er M r West performed several .

,

exc e l le n t pieces ad apt ed t o t h e occasio n ; an d t h e preach

in g an d t h e si n g i n g a n d t h e social con verse so e n r ap
t urad my soul t h at youn g a n d bash ful as I w as I could
, , ,

hardl y refrain fro m cryin g ou t i n t h e lan g uage of t h e ,

c eles t ial m esse n g er Glory t o G od in t h e hig hest an d on

‘
, ,

eart h peac e g ood w ill t o w a rd m e n

,
-
An d I re ally felt as .
’

t h e e n t ran ced disciple s did a t t h e t r an s fig u rat ion of th e

S aviour I t is g oo d for m e t o be here
,
‘
An d my ast on .

ish m e n t w as exci t ed bey on d m easure w he n I cam e t o

look aroun d amo n g t h e at t e n dan t s w h o t hron g ed th e
room, an d saw several of my ac quain t an ces, w h o appeared
as happy as myself an d w ho m I h ad supposed to be vio
,

l e n tl y opposed t o t h e doct ri n e ; an d t o w ho m couse ,

que n t ly I h ad n ever dared t o express a t houg ht aft er I

, ,

became fa vorably i m pressed w i t h a belief of it s t rut h .

n ow fel t m yself i n
“I a n e w w orld ; an d alt houg h
amo n g ol d acquain t an ces surrou n ded by n e w frien ds , ,

bou n d t o ge t her by st ron ger t ies t h an I had ever before

experi en ced T h is m eet in g had a very happy eff ect in
.

VO L . I . 33
5 14 u mvm sa rrsn I N AM ERI CA .

this coun t ry B e sides it s t en de n cy to l e ad man y in t o

.

t h e belief of t h e t ru t h w h o ha d n ever before e n t e rt ai n ed

a favorable O pin ion o f it an d t o est ablish t hose w h o w e re
.

w averi n g i t brou g ht t o g e t he r con g e n ial mi n ds a n d i n t ro

, ,

du c e d t h e m t o a n acquain t an ce w it h each ot her w hich ,

served t o s t ren gt he n an d embolden t he m i n t h e cause ,

t o ext en d t heir i n fl ue n ce a n d e n lar g e t h e S phere of ,

t heir act ion ; by w hic h mean s t h e cause of divin e t rut h

advan ced w it h g re at er rapidit y .

An i n ci de n t occurre d a t t his m ee t in g w hich I t hi n k ,

is w ort h recordin g because it sho w s t h e bit t ern e ss of

,

s p irit w hich act uat ed t h e opposers of t his g re at salva

t io n a n d t h e effe ct of a cal m dign ified an d fearless
, , ,

perseveran ce in t h e S pirit of kin dn ess I w a s n ot an .

eye w it n ess bu t I w as t ol d of it ; i n de ed i t w a s a su b
-
, ,

je c t of co mm on observat ion a n d remark an d h a d a very ,

salut ary eff ect upon t h e rea so n able part of com m un it y ;

for it led t he m t o m ake a co m pariso n bet w e en t h e i n fl u
e n ce of t h e t w o doct ri n e s The frie n ds of U n iversalis m
.

had applied t o t h e pr oper aut h orit ies for t h e use of t he

court house for t h e meet in g a n d obt ain ed t heir co n se n t ;
-
,

an d t h e doors w ere acco r di n gl y ope n ed B u t t h e sheriff .

of t h e coun t y — on e Rice a big o t w it hout relig ion as

, , , ,

his charact er t oo plain ly t est ified — un dert ook t o fri gh t e n ,

t he m aw ay by p laci n g him self before t h e do or w it h a

dra w n s w ord in his han d n o doubt t hin kin g t hat t h e ,

i m po rt an ce of his office an d a lit t le blust erin g w ould

, ,

break u p t h e m e e t i n g B u t a t t h e appoin t ed h our t h e

.

clerg y w it h M r Ballou at t heir h e ad w alked de lib e rat ely

,
.
,

t o t h e house ; an d as t hey approached t h e door w here

t his w o n derful m ajes t y of l a w h ad placed hi m self an d
w a s fl ourishi n g his broad s w ord, M r B allou w it h h is -
.
,

w o n t ed urban it y an d pleasan t n ess addressed t h e li tt le ,

m an i n t h e lan g uag e of t h e S aviour Pe t er pu t up t h y ,

‘
,

s w ord in t o his place an d w alked by t h e sh am e s mi tt en

,
’ -

S herif f in t o t h e house I w as t old t hat h e hun g do wn "

.
 REV . T HOM AS B ARNS . 5 15

he ad an d wi t hout u tt erin g a w ord w al ked off t ohis

h is ,
’

house —probably w it h a less e xal t ed O pin ion of his bw n

,
- .

import an c e t h an w hen he plac ed h ims elf at t h e court

” 1
house door .

There are n o M in ut es of t h e Ph il adel ph i a Con ve n tio n

for 1 7 9 9 an d t h e probabili t y i s t hat n o sessi on w as
,

hel d .

Th i s yea r a n e w as sociat ion w as organ ize d in what

w a s t he n t h e di s t ri ct o f M ai n e an d call ed t h e E as t ern ,

Assoc ia t io n The t o w n of N e w Gl oucest er w h ich w as

.
,

w it h in its b ou n ds had b een se t t l ed a f e w years b e f ore

,

b y a f e w fami lies fr om Gl oucest er M ass m an y o f ,

.
,

w hom had b ee n con n ect e d w it h t h e U n ivers alis t con

;

re a t ion A m o n
g t he s e w as Capt a in J os eph P earce
g g . .

For severa l years as t here w a s n o preach in g n ear

,

en oug h for t h e set t l ers t o att en d M r P earce me t w it h , .

hi s n eig hb o rs at each ot her s ho u ses on S u n days for

’

, ,

re lig i ou s w orshi p an d co n versat i on I t f ell t o his l ot t o.

t ake t h e l ead in t hese servi ces ; an d b e f ore l on g it w as

dis covere d t hat t here w ere so man y Un iversalis t s in
N e w Gl ouces t er an d t he adj o in in g t o w n s t ha t h e Was
-

empo w ered t o o bta in a m in ist er of t heir fait h t o t ake u p

his a b ode w it h t h e m At on ce h e w rote t o h is brot her
.

Will iam on Cape An n for ass i st an ce w h o propose d t o

, , ,

Rev Thomas Barn s t o vis it t h e d istri ct an d made g en er

.
,

Mr
’

ous o ff ers of assis t an ce if he w ou l d se tt l e t here

,
. .

Barn s ha d been su pplyin g t h e G l ouceste r pul pit mos t of

s famil y rema in ed
t he t i me sin c e t h e spr i n g of 1 7 9 4 bu t hi ,

farm i Woods t ock Co an d he w as t h ere fore

on h is n n n .
,

pl eased w it h t he prospect of a fi el d Of l ab or where he

o l d i ve h i s p e rso n a l a t t e n t i on t o far m in g an d ha ve
g
,
c u

1 M e moir s of t h e L if e of Re v Nat han iel St ac

. y , pp 5 5 5 7
.
-
5 16 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AMERI CA .

h i s fa mil y w it h h im A ccord in gl y he v isit e d th e dis

'

.
,

t r iot in t h e fa ll o f 1 7 9 8 an d con c l uded t o make it

.

his home re m ov in g t here in t h e w in t er of 1 7 99 an d

, ,

l ocat in g on a farm in th e t ow n of Po lan d w here he ,

con t in ued t o resi de t ill h is deat h in Oc t o b er 1 81 6 His , , .

e n gag eme n t s in mov in g t o P o lan d w ere t hat he shou l d ,

preach a t N orw ay Falmou t h an d N e w Gloucest er

, , ,

every fourth S un day The remai n in g Sa bb at h he w as

.

empl oyed in adj acen t t ow n s occasion ally preach in g at ,

Liverm ore Turn er Da n v ille Freeport an d P o lan d

, ,
In , ,
.

Jan uary 1 80 2 he w a s ordain ed a t G ray over t h e

, , ,

un it ed soc ie t i es o f N orw ay N e w Gl oucest er Fa l mou t h

, , ,

an d G ray I n O ct ob er 1 7 99 de legat es from t hese

.
, ,

soci et ies me t in Gray an d org an ized t h e Eas t ern AS

,
a

sociat io n .

The fo ll owi n g in ci den t in th e early m in i st ry of M r .

Barn s in M a in e illust rat es a t on ce t he st at e of religious

fe e lin g am o n g t h e so—called O rt hodox o f t hat day t he ir ,

con fessed in abil it y t o comfort t h e m ourn i n g an d t h e ,

grea t lig h t a n d cheer w h i ch Un i versa li sm impart ed t o

t h e b ereaved :

“I n of t h e t o w n s w here an ag ed Ort hodox m in is

on e

t e r h a d bee n locat ed a n u mber of years re sided a very ,

respect a ble family m os t ly m e mbers of t h e church c on

, ,

sist in g of husban d an d w ife or fat her an d m ot her an d , ,

several g ro w n u p children Am o n g t h e l at t er w a s a s on
-
.
,

t h e pride t h e hope t h e joy of t h e fa m ily

, , Fro m so m e , .

u n kn o w n cause t his s on beca m e delirious a n d w as for

, ,

so m e t i me co n fi n ed an d every mean s e m ployed t o re

,

st ore h im t o san it y an d happin ess At le n gt h sy m pt o ms .

,

of re t urn in g reaso n appeared an d t h ou g h f ar fro m bein g ,

fully rest ored i t w as dee med best t o allow h im his lib

,

e rt y , a n d careful ly w a t ch all his m ove me n t s t o preve n t ,

 REV . T HOM AS B ARNS . 517

him fro m doin g harm t o him self or o t hers For a t ime .

h e w as vi g ilan t ly w at ched an d st ron g hopes of pe rf e c t ,

recovery e n t ert ain ed B u t on e day w hile t h e fam ily

.
,

relaxed t h eir vig ilan ce he w at ched his o pport un it y e n

, ,

t e r e d t h e bar n g ot a rope a n d hun g hi m self an d w a s

, ,

dead w he n discovered This w as a most a w ful an d .

affl ict in g st roke t o t h e fam ily;

“
The fat he r i n t h e overw helm i n g ag o n y of his e m o
,

t io n s g oes t o his m i n is t e r t ells h i m t h e sad t idi n g s a n d

, , ,

request s hi m t o at t en d t h e fu n eral a n d ad mi n is t e r t h e
con solat io n s of t h e g ospel t o hi m self an d family His .

ven erable p as t or list en s t o his request pauses drops a , ,

t e ar of pit y a n d replies
,
Brot her I can n ot co m ply w it h
,
‘
,

your request . Why n ot 7

’
Because I have be e n ‘ ’ ‘

lon g a n d i n t i m at ely acquain t e d w it h your family I .

kn o w t h e st ro n g aff ect io n s you e n t ert ain ed for your s on ;

t h e sad an d a w ful m an n e r of his exit I kn ow n ot of .

on e w ord of co n solat io n for you i n t h e g ospel ; an d my

feelin g s w ill n ot allo w me t o preach as dut y w ould r e

quire on so sad an occasion What t he n shall I do , ,

Go to t h e n ei g hborin g t o w n of w here Bro t her

ha s lat ely bee n se t t led He is a co m parat ive st ran g e r t o

.

you a n d your fam il y He can do his dut y on such an

.

occasion w i t hout experie n c in g t h e dist ressin g e m o t io n s

t hat I should
’
.

Accord in g ly t h e affl ict ed fa t her post s t o t h e min ist er

,

of t h e n eig hborin g parish m akes k n o w n his m isfort un e , ,

a n d reques t s h i m t o at t e n d a n d p reach t h e fun e ral ser ,

m on . B u t w h y do you n ot g e t you r ow n m i n is t er He
fran kly t ells h i m t hat he h a s appli e d a n d bee n refused ,

an d t h e reaso n s t herefor Well says t he youn g Ort ho

.
,
’

dox cler g ym an aft er a pause ,

if your ow n m i n ist er ,
‘

can n ot preach an d do his dut y on t his occasio n n eit her ,

c an I ; for like h i m I kn o w n ot of a si n gl e t ext i n t h e

, ,

w hole Bible t hat c a n a fford you t h e leas t con s olat io n ;

an d I can n ot preach t his fu n eral ser m o n
’
.
518 UNI V ERS ALI S M I N AM ERI C A .

Wit h a st ill sadder h e art t h e g rief st ricke n fat her

; ,
-

r e t urn s, ag ain V i sit s his pa st o r a n d i mplores h i m w it h

-

t ears t o at t e n d, an d preach t h e fu n eral ser mo n of his

depart ed s on I can n ot — I ca n n ot is t h e reply ; my
.
,
’

feelin g s w ill n ot allo w it Alas " I pit y bu t I can n ot .

co mfort you ’
Wh at shall I do . Alas " w hat c an I
‘

do exclai m s t h e fat her in u n ut t erable ag o n y I kn o w

, .

n ot , e xclai m s t h e min ist er

’
I can n o t advise you St op . .

y e s yes I can I w ill t ell you w hat t o do There is

-
.
, , .

old Fat her Barn s t h e Un iversali st , w h o lives in PO

-
, .
~

lan d ; ho w ill at t en d an d preach G o for h i m at o n ce

.
. .

If t here is on e t ext on e w ord of con solat io n for you i n , ,

all t h e Bibl e he w ill fin d it G e t h im ; t h e church shall

, .

be open ed ; t h e me mbers w ill at t en d ; I w ill att en d an d

hear hi m .
’

“
For t h e last t im e t h e fat her st art s on his m elan choly
,

t ask of procuri n g a m i n is t er t o at t e n d t h e fu n eral of his

s on . He calls at t h e house of t h e Un ive rsalist m in ist er .

‘
I S M r Barn s a t hom e
. He is sir ; he is t hreshi n g ‘
,

g rai n at t h e barn He ap p roaches an d e n t ers ’

. No .

soo n er does t h e ve n erable farmer m i n ist er see h i m t han -

he drops his fl ail approaches an d t akes t h e affl ict ed man

, ,

by t h e han d sayi n g M y dear frie n d I a m happy t o see

, , ,

you I h ave heard of your misfo rt u n e — a severe a n d

.
,

t ryi n g affl ict io n I sy mpat hize deeply w it h you B u t

. .

God do t h n ot affl ict w illin g ly n or g rieve t h e childr e n of

me n ; bu t t hou g h he cause g rief y e t w ill he have c om ,

passio n accordin g t o t h e m ult it ude of his mercies ’

,
.

The affl ict ed ma n t he n made k n ow n t h e object of his

call an d Fat her Barn s readily ag reed t o g o a n d preach
,

at t h e fun eral The t i me arrives The m e e t i n g house

. .
-

is O pen T h e occasio n bei n g ext rao rdin ary i n t h e co mp ar

.

at iv e l y n e w cou n t ry a vas t co n cou r se assem bles i n clud, ,

i n g n early or qu it e all t h e m e m bers Of t h e chur c h an d

m an y from ot her churches w i t h bo t h t h e cler gy m e n w h o ,

h a d decli n ed pre ach in g The ve n erable B arn s e n t ers

.
 REV . T HO MA S B ARNS . 5 19

the pulpit All eyes an d ears are o pe n an d espe cially

.
,

t hose of t h e ag e d O rt hodox pas t or w h o t h e re ade r w ill , ,

believe w as r eally an xious t o have t h e m our n e rs com

,

fort e d t houg h he k n e w n ot h im self h ow t o com fort

,

t he m . Deep a n d sole mn sil e n ce prevails T h e i n t ro .

du ct ory services a re appropriat ely g o n e t hro u g h a n d ,

t h e preacher t ur n s t o a n d rea d s his t ext 1 Cor iv 5 , . .

Th erefore judg e n o t h i n g before t h e t i m e un t il t h e L ord ,

co me w h o bo t h w ill brin g t o li g h t t h e hidden t h in g s of

,

darkn ess a n d w ill m ake m an ifes t t h e cou n sels of t h e

,

he art s ; a n d t h e n shall every m a n hav e pr aise of God .

’

S carcely had t h e t e x t bee n p ro n ou n ced w h e n t h e ag ed ,

Ort h odox m i n is t e r clapp e d h i s h an ds i n e cs t asy cryin g ,

al oud ,
H e 8 g ot i t h e s g ot i t "
‘ ’
t h e very t ext of all t h e
,
’

Bible for t h e occasio n .

’

The preach er t he n w en t on t o illust r at e an d app ly

his t ex t sho w in g t h at w e ak a n d S h ort sig h t e d m ort als
,
-
,

n ot un ders t an di n g t h e dark deali n g s a n d m ys t erious dis

p e n sat i on s of Divin e Provi den ce are t oo pro n e t o doubt ,

or dist rust t h e Divin e Goodn ess t o arrai g n his w isdo m ,

an d quest io n his jus t ice or b e n evol e n c e ; t hat w e n ow

see bu t in p art a n d kn ow bu t in part bu t w h e n t h at ,

w hich is perfect is co m e t h a t w hich is i n p a rt shall be ,

don e aw ay ; w e n ow see as t hroug h a g lass dar kly bu t ,

hereaft er w e shall see as w e are se e n a n d kn o w as w e ,

are k n ow n ; an d w he n all t h e desi g n s of G od in app aren t

i lls are see n t hroug h an d his be n evole n t pur p oses un der
,

s t ood a ll t hat is n ow dark w ill beco m e lig ht t h e very ,

,

coun sels of al l heart s w ill be seen t h rou g h a n d t h e r e a ,

son s w h y God perm it t ed such coun sels t o exist be u n der

s t ood ; be n evol e n ce w ill be see n t o be at t h e bot t om of
all Jehovah s desi g n s a n d every man shall h ave t h e
’
,

praise of God s un boun de d g oodn ess in his heart as w ell

’

as on his t o n g u e .

The sermo n t ook st ro n g hold of t h e w hole con g re g a

t ion an d pro duced a m ost po w erful an d hap py e ffect A .

,
5 20 U NI VERS ALI S M I N AM ERI CA.

Uni versalist societ y w as soo n est ablished i n t h e place ,

an d t h e s t at ed an d re ular mi n is t rat io n of t h e t rut h e u

g
j oyed dat i n g fro m t h e t im e t hat F at her Barn s preached
,

t h e above ser m o n a t t h e fu n eral of t h e u n for t un at e

suici de ” 1 .

In a pamphl e t appeared en t it l ed A Lit erary , ,

Correspo n den ce b et w ee n J oe l Fost er A M M in is t er , . .

,

of t h e Con greg at io n al S ociet y in N e w Salem an d Hosea ,

Ball ou an It in era n t P reacher of t h e sect called U n i

,

v e rsa li st s I n w hich t h e Q ues t i on con cern in g Fut ure

.

Pu n ishm e n t an d t h e Reason s for an d again st it are

con s idered .
”

M r Fos t er al t houg h a Co n g reg at io n a lis t w as ev i

.
, ,

de n t l y n o Ca lv in i s t bu t dec idedl y Arm in ian in h i s

‘

t heo l ogy He seems t oo t o have had a hope t ha t t h e

.
, ,

doct ri n e of en dl ess pu n i shm en t might perhaps n ot b e

st ri ct ly t r u e at last n ot b ecause it w a s n ot t hreat en ed
in t h e Bibl e bu t as he approved Archbishop Till ot
,

son s t heo ry — b ecause God had po w er t o re m it h i s

’

t hrea t e n in g s if he so w ill ed ,
I t i s q u it e pro b ab le t ha t .

h i s pos it ion may have b ee n g en erally un derst ood in t h e

co mm u n it y b efore h i s correspo n den ce w it h M r Ballou .

co mm en ced an d possib ly M r Ball ou may have b een

,
.

a w are of t h is w he n he first addressed h i m The corre .

sp on de n ce com men ced b e f ore e it her had an y perso n al

acqua in t an ce w it h t h e o t her M r Ba ll ou w ro t e t h e . .

first l et t er Oct 4 1 7 9 7 t ellin g M r Fost er t hat he had

,
.
, ,
.

heard of h i s charact er as t hat of a j u di ci ous an d

p i ous cl ergym an an d addin g I b e in g you n g have
“
,
”
, , ,

n eed of t h e ass i s t a n ce of t hose w h o are more l ear n ed

1 k
Re v D ol ph u s S in n e r, i n t h e E van g e l ic al M ag a in e
. z an d G ospe l
A d voca t e , J an 5 , 1 844 . .
 B ALLOU A ND FOSTER . 521

an dex perien ce d t han myse lf . Th e quest i on s wh ich he

propoun ded w ere
First Is it possi ble for an y bein g n ot t o a n sw er t h e
.

fin al purpose in t e n ded by G od i n hi s creat io n

S e co n d Do t h e S cript ures t e ac h us t hat God i n
.

t e n ded t h e e t e rn al mi se ry of a n
y of t h e human kin d or ,

t o g lorify hi m self i n t heir e n dless w re t c h ed n es s

Third Was it t h e m ission of Christ t o die for an d
.
,

fin al ly save t h e h um an race p
, ( .

M r . Fost er an s w ered on t h e 9 th Of O ct ob er

This day I received your very un expect ed favor of t h e

4t h i n s t You are a st rang er t o me bu t I am disposed t o
.
,

be lie ve t hat you r desire for a correspo n de n ce w as p e r

f e c t l y w ell me a n t The appare n t sp irit of can dor w hich
-
.
,

charact eri zes your le t t er m e r it s t h e h o n or of my n ot ice

, ,
— i f i t c an b e t hou ht an ho n or t o you
g (p .

Aft er criti cis in g t h e verb al form o f som e of M r Ba l .

l ou s st at emen t s M r Fost er proceeded t o a n sw er his

’

, .

quest i on s
Is it possible for an y bein g n ot t o an s w er t h e fi n al
purpose i n t en ded by God in his creat io n A s a p h il os o
pher or as a divin e, I am w illin g t o gi ve you my O pin io n
,

u po n t his ques t io n n a m ely t h at i t is n ot possible

, ,
N or .

a m I i g n ora n t w hat i n f e r e n c e y ou w ill be ready t o d raw

,

fro m it B u t before you proceed t o make an y con clusio n

.

f ro m i t you w ill do w ell t o recollec t t h at philosop h ers

,

a n d div i n es m ay di ffer i n t h eir O pin io n of w hat t hey

call t h e fi n al purpose of God in t h e creat io n of man .

Wh et her it did at all ext e n d t o i n dividual act io n s a n d ,

t h e fin al appropriat e con seque n ces of t h e m h as be e n ,

m uch of a quest io n ; or w he t h er i t w as m e rely t h e pur

pose of God t o make me n in t ellig en t a n d fre e ag en t s ,

an d t o e n due t h e m w it h a s t ric t philosophical an d m oral

.
5 22 UNI V ERSALI SM IN AM ERI C A .

libert y If w e ag ree t hat t h e lat t er w a s t h e real an d

.

t rue purpose of God t he n t h e n ecessary co n sequen c e is

, ,

t hat t h ey are capable of w orkin g ou t t h e ir ow n happi

n ess or rui n u n de r such me an s of probat io n as a n all

w ise a n d g racious Crea t or S houl d see cause t o i n sti t u t e .

B u t if w e suppose t h e purpose of God e xt e n ded t o a n d

n ecessi t at e d each in dividual volit io n an d ac t io n t he n w e
,
“
reduce m e n t o t h e con dit io n of m ere machi n es a n d ,

t h r o w do w n all dist i n ct io n be t w ee n virt ue a n d vice

(p p 8 9 ) ,

I have n o obj ect io n t o your s e co n d ques t io n as bei n g ,

a proper t heolo g ical qu est io n n am ely Do t h e S crip

, ,
‘

t u r es t each us t hat God i n t e n ded t h e et ern al m isery of

an y of t h e hu m an ki n d ? e t c I n an s w er t o t his I do
.
,

n ot t h in k t h a t t h e S cr i pt ures say i n so ma n y w ords t hat

, ,

God i n t e n ded t h e et ern al m isery of so m e of t h e h um an

kin d ; n or do I t hin k it st rict ly just an d proper t o say ,

t hat i t w a s t h e an t ecede n t un co n dit io n al i n t e n t io n or

,

decree of God t hat an y of t h e hu m an kin d i n a p erson a l

, ,

a ccep t a t i on ,
sh ould be e t ern ally miserable B u t I k n o w .

of n o w ay t o avoid sayi n g t hat t h e g os pel does t hre at e n

e t ern al dest ru ct ion pun ishm e n t or misery t o cert a in
, ,

ch a r a ct e r s of our race .Jus t as our law s an d g ove rn m e n t

t hreat e n c a pit al pun ish m e n t t o cert ai n ofl e n de r s bu t do ,
.

n ot a n t ecede n t l
y desi g n at e t h e in di vi du a ls w h o s h all suf
”
fer su ch pun is h m e n t ( pp 9 .
,

The t h ird q uest io n M r Fos t er t hou g ht suscept ible of

.

a d iv i s io n He had n o hesit at i on in affi rmin g t hat

.

Chri st d ied f or t h e Whol e human race ; bu t t hat all

m e n w ou ld b e b e n efit ed b y his dea t h he w ou l d n ot ,

assert ; bu t seemed t o ho l d t he co n t rary op in i o n He .

d i d n ot commit hi msel f t o aff i rm in g t he s t ri ct l y en dl ess

durat io n of t h e sin n er s pu n i shme n t H i s summin g up
’
.

w as :
 B ALLO U AND FOSTER .
5 23

“
It is very possible t h at aft er al l I have had leisure
,

t o w r it e y ou may s t i ll be fixed i n t h e opi n io n t hat i t is

,

in con g ru ous t o b elieve God w ill everl as t in gly pun ish an y

O f his crea t u res u n der w hat ever predicamen t an d ma
, y ,

st ill solace yourself in t h e con t emplat ion t hat all w i l l

be brough t t o happin ess in som e fut ure di st an t p erio d
i n t h e divi n e eco n o my I a m n ot aut horized t o say t h at
.

such a belief w ill have any ill e ffect upon your h eart or
lif e ; n or have I an y ave rsio n t o t h e doct rin e if i t can ,

be fou n d in t h e h oly oracles ; n or am I v e ry solicit ous

t o be con vin ce d of t h e t ru t h of it eve n i f it be t rue or, ,

t o preac h it t o o t hers If t h ere i s t o be a cha n ce for

.

t h e con de mn ed t o e man cipat e t hemselves fro m a st at e

of p un i shm en t t hey w ill doubt less kn o w it w he n t hey
,

com e t o t ha t st at e ; an d t o t ell t hem of it beforehan d

m igh t o n ly abat e t heir a w e an d dr ead of di vin e pun ish
men t w hich i n all pro b abil it y w oul d b e n o g reat service
,

t o t he m (p .

M r Ball ou s secon d l e tt er dat ed N ovemb er 2 i s here

.
’
, ,

given in f ull t hat t h e pe cu li ar b e n t o f h is m in d at t hat

,

per i od may b e fu ll y un derst ood an d espec iall y t hat w e

,

ma y see t he man n er in w h ich he w as t hen in t erpret in g

S cri p t ur e an d fe e lin g hi s w ay a l on g t ow ards t h e m ore
,

ra t i on al exeg esis w h ich he aft erw ards adopt ed

“
To add t o t he ple asures of t hi s morn in g I have t h e ,

happi n ess of th e recept io n of your much w ished for favor - -

of O ct ober 9 I am happy very happy t hat my let t er

.
, ,

g ain ed yo u r appro b at io n as p erfect ly w ell m ean t for

‘ -
,

n o t w it hs t a n din g an y in accuracy t h at mi g ht appear in m y

quest ion s t hey w ere in simplicit y an d sin cerit y devot ed

,

t o on e w hom I co n sidered as an able i n form a n t .

You are g ood en ou g h S ir t o cert ify me t hat y ou w ere

, ,

n ot disobli g ed b y t h e t rouble I g ave you I am happy, .

S ir i n t hat ; an d I assure you I w oul d n ot disoblig e you

,
5 24 UNI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

in solicit i n g a co n t in uan ce of our correspo n de n ce for I ,

co n sider myself m ore t han co m pen sat ed for my labor

n ot t rouble in your favor already obt ain ed .

You w ill n ot t ake it amiss if I proceed t o make som e

re marks on t hose p art s of your le t t er w hich t o m e appear
t h e m os t esse n t ial I n t h e first place of t h e i n accuracy
.
,

you see i n my st at e m e n t s I ackn o w ledg e t h e t e m p erat e

.

s w eet n ess i n w hich y ou t reat t his subj ect an d can n o t say ,

bu t t hat a n apolo gy m ig ht just ly have bee n e xpe ct ed .

How ever I S hall be g lea v e t o i n se rt cert ai n re ason s w hich

,

st ill rem ain i n my m in d i n favor of t h e s t at e me n t I .

n eed n ot re m i n d
y ou t hat my s t at e m e n t does n ot urg e
t hat t hose ques t ion s j u s t l y a n s w e r ed d esi g n at e t h e Chris
, ,

t ian fai t h i n every part icular n or e ve n i n som e p ri n cipal

,

poi n t s ; bu t t hat t hey do i n s ome me a s u r e I arg ue from ,

t h e follo w i n g reaso n s : Firs t t h e quest ion Is i t possible

, ,

for an y bei n g n ot t o an s w er t h e fi n al purpose of God

in t en ded in his cre at io n just ly an s w ered is p e rt in en t ,

t o t h e idea of t h e po w er an d w isdo m of t h e Cr e at or ,

w hich I m ay just ly say are e sse n t ial t o t h e Christ ian

fait h an d a r e a m o n g t h e n am es or t i t les of our Rede e mer
, .

N ow observe alt houg h t his firs t quest ion does n ot so par

,

t i cu l a rl y refer t o t h e g oodn ess of God y e t t h e i de a of ,

pow er an d w isdo m is co n t ain e d t herei n Wit h reg ar d t o .

t h e o t her pri n cipal co mmu n icable at t ribut e of t h e Deit y ,

w hich is love it is brie fl y co m prehe n ded or at l e ast i n

, ,

s om e m e as u r e i n t h e o t her t w o qu es t io n s
,
for if w e c on
sider t h e S cript ures as a divin e revelat io n — w hich I do ,

m os t reli g iously believe — t h e ques t ion Do t h e S crip

, ,

t ures t each us t hat God i n t e n ded t h e e t er n al m isery of

t h e hu m a n ki n d or t o g lorify hi m self in t heir e n dl ess
,

w re t chedn e ss just ly a n s w e r ed h as i n so m e measure a n

,

allusion t o his goodn ess or kin dn ess t o t h e hum an race

,
.

The last quest ion j u s tl y a n s w e r e d w ould I t h i n k he

, , , ,

very explicit i n t h e Redee m er s process N ow S i r if ’

.
, ,

t h e po w er w isdo m a n d g ood n ess of God i n creat io n a n d

, ,
 B ALLOU AND FO S TER . 525

rede m ptio n are n ot i n s om e m e a s u r e t h e foun dat io n of

t h e C h ris t ian fai t h (I w r i t e w it h cl ifii de n ce ) I d oubt ,

w he t h e r I have ever beli e ved like a Christ ian .

“
N ot w i t hs t an di n g w hat I have w ri t t e n on t his sub
j ce t I a m n ot alt o g et h er i g n oran t t hat t h e Christ ian
,

fai t h ret rospect s as w ell as an t icipat es N ow w it h r e .

g ard t o w hat t h e Christ ian fa it h vi e w s i n a re t rosp e ct ive

se n se t here are cert ain fact s co m prehe n ded w h ich are
,

s aid i n Holy S crip t ure t o have had a n exis t e n c e par ,

t i cu l ar l y t hose w hich re lat e t o t h e process of Chris t .

B u t f a rt her I co n sider t hat t h e C h rist ian fait h re t ro

, ,

spoot s fart her t han eve n p rophecy con cern i n g t h e p r o

c ess of Chris t a n d co n t e mp lat es or t h e m i n d by fait h
, , ,

t h e all g racious w ill of ou r h eave n ly Fat h er i n creat ion

-
,

on w hich part icular t h e S cri p t ures are n ot sile n t ; an d

w hen w e co n si der t h e Christ ian fai t h as an t ici p at in g i t ,

ce n t res i n t h e before m e n t io n ed propert ies of t h e De i t y

-
,

viz w isdo m po w er a n d g ood n ess — i n a w ord t h e ful

.
, , , , ,

n ess of t h e plan of G od as i t respect s m an i n a spiri t ual

se n s e so far as it c an be rat ion ally un derst ood by us is

, , ,

I co n ceive co mprehen d e d in t h e Christ ian fai t h

,
.

I w oul d n ot be un derst ood by an yt hi n g t hat I have

,

w r it t e n t h at I con sider your obs e rvat io n s on t his par

,

t i c ul a r as ill m ean t bu t w ould rat her be g leave t o dis

-
,

sen t a lit t le or con fess m yself i n t h e dark respect in g it

,
.

“ To
my firs t ques t io n you say A s a philosoph er or ,
‘
,

as a divi n e, I a m w illin g t o g ive you my O pin ion t h at it

is n ot possible You t he n observe y ou are n ot ig n o
.
’

ran t of w hat in fere n ce I S hall dra w fro m your an s w er .

I t appears t hat you had an idea of m y i n fere n ce pro ,

v ide d I h ad dr aw n i t befo r e I h a d recollect e d c e rt ai n

di ff ere n ces w hich exist in t h e opi n io n s of philosoph ers

an d divi n es respect i n g t hese m at t ers Dear S ir do you .
,

t hin k m y i n fere n ce w ill be differe n t ly draw n on accou n t

of t his co n siderat io n I assure you n o ; for m y i n fer ,

e n ce I hope, w ill be accordin g t o your very i n g en ious

,
 5 26 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI CA .

an s w er t hat is t o say, t hat t h e ult i m at e e n d an d des ig n

,

of God w hich he i n t en ded i n t h e creat io n of m an an d

,

all o t her bein g s can n ot fail of bein g acc o mplish ed

, .

“
N ow aft er m y i n fere n ce I have an obse rvat io n t o
, ,

m ake on t h e diff ere n t n ot ion s an d O pin io n s of phil oso

p h e r s an d divi n es on t h e w ill of God as i t respect s voli
t io n a n d act ion . Obse r ve S ir ho w ever t h e w ill of God
, ,

resp e ct s S i n ful volit io n or act io n w he t her lit t le n o n e or

, , ,

m uch i t does n ot de t e rm in e t h e fi n a l in t e n t ion of t h e

,

Creat o r ; f or t h e co n seque n ce of sin ful volit ion an d act ion ,

w hich accordi n g t o t h e S cript ur es is m isery an d w oe is

subseque n t t o act io n ; a n d I can n ot co n ce ive t hat an y .

phil osopher or divin e c ould eve n have an excuse for be ,

lievin g or supposin g t hat t h e f i n a l in t e n t io n of t h e Cre

at or can st op short of t h e last eve n t w hich co n cern s t h e
cre at ure ; for if so w e must suppose t hat t h e Creat or
,

has co n st it ut ed bei n g s for a lo n g er durat io n t han he h ad

an y eve n t ful purpose depe n di n g .

I can n ot bu t observe on t h e machi n er y of man sup ,

posin g t hat t o be t h e t rut h con cern in g hi m You say .

t hat such a n idea t hro w s do w n all diff ere n ce be t w e e n

virt ue an d vice This idea S ir you co n s ider as philo
.
, ,

S ophical ; b u t on w hat pri n ciple or w h , y does t his dest roy ,

t hat differe n ce Philosophy y ou are cert ain t eaches

, ,

us t h at fixed law s bri n g forw ard or in t o e xist en ce dif "

f e r e n t circum s t an ces qualit ie s or operat io n s These cir

, , .

cu m s t a n ce s may have differe n t n am es as vi rt u e an d vice ,

are d iffere n t i n n am e .

“
Would you pard on m e S ir if I should appear i gn o
, ,

ran t e n ou gh t o su ppose t hat w hat you have w r it t e n on

my seco n d ques t io n does n ot i n clude an a n s w er 7 You
say N or do I t hi n k it just an d proper t o say t h at it
,
‘
.

w a s t h e a n t e ce de n t u n con di t i on a l i n t en t io n or d ecree of
,

God t hat a n y of t h e hum an kin d i n a p e r son a l a ccep ta ,

t ion Sh ould be et er n ally m iserable

, N ow y ou are cer
.
’
r

t ai n t hat w h at i s h ere quo t e d fro m your an s w er ide e s n ot

 B AL LOU AND FOS T ER . 5 27

say t hat G od did n ot or t ha t he did i n t e n d t h e e t e r n al

, ,

m isery of t h e hu ma n kin d i n so m e w a y or o t her ; a n d

w hat you h ave said co n cern i n g t h e Script ure s t e achi n
g
e t ern al m isery does n ot det erm in e t h e ques t io n w he t her
God in t e n ded t he m t hus t o su ff e r M ay I t e ll you S ir .
, .

t hat you m is t ook a cert ai n s t at e me n t of your ow n f oI

t h e ques t io n A t le ast I m ay say I co n sider i t so T h e
, .

quest io n w as n ot w he t her m an by his im pe n it e n cy coul d

m ake hi m self e t ern ally m iserable ; i t w as w het her t h e
S cript ures t aug ht t hat it w a s God s w ill t hat t hey shoul d ’

be t hus w ret ched I have here an occasio n for a n observa

.

t io n for w h ich I a m happy t o be obli g ed t o y ou : I do ‘

n ot m e n t io n t his i n accuracy because I have a n y pleasur e

i n li tt le cri t icis m s bu t because I t hi n k i t n ecessary t hat

’
,

quest io n s of im port an ce should be an sw ered part icularly ,

accordin g t o t heir m erit .

“
You w ill in dul g e m e S ir w hile I e n deavor t o show
, ,

w her e i n I t hi n k t h e S cript ures you quo t ed do n ot allu de

t o w hat you see m t o ap p ly t he m I have acco rdi n g t o .

,

your very char it able idea read t hose passa g es w h ich y ou

,

so carefully rem in ded m e of w it h can dor ; an d did I be

lie v e t hat t h e S cript ures t aug ht t h e ide a of e t ern al or ,

n e ver e n din g m isery I could n ot suppose t h at t hose pas

-
, ,

sag es h a d an a l l u s ion t o it The first you quot e is i n .

M at t he w xxv That Christ w as laborin g in t his ch ap

.
,

t e r by t h e m ean s of parables t o S ho w t h e chan g e of

, ,

dispe n sat io n s is obvious ; t h at is t h e close of t h e l a w

, ,

dispen sat io n an d t h e open in g of t h e g ospel I n t h e para .

ble of t h e virg in s t his idea is clearly t o be se e n Ob .

’
serve h e sait h verse 1 0 : a n d t h e door w a s S hut
,
‘ It .
,

is w ri t t e n of t his bride g roo m t hat he hat h t h e ke ys O f

David an d ope n e t h a n d n o man shut t e t h an d shu t t e t h
, ,

a n d n o m a n ope n et h An d h ere w e vi e w h i m as closin g

.

t h e fi r s t dis pe n sat io n or shut t i n g t h e door of t h e l aw a t

, ,

w hich t h e st u m bli n g o n es of Israel have k n ocked e v e r

sin ce bu t a r e n ot able t o O pe n it for i t is said he shut
,
5 28 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

t et h an d n o man ope n What foll ow s in t h e parable

can .

of t h e virg i n s is a just descript i o n of t h e a w fu l sit u

at ion of Israel t hus blin ded ; aft er t hi s is i n t rod u ced t h e
par able of t h e t al en t s, in w hich cert ai n part icul ars of
t h e abov e m e n t io n ed even t are illus t rat ed t h e on e t alen t ,

referr in g t o or sig n i fyi n g t h e l a w of M oses, w hi ch l a w ,

t hou g h it w as g ood coin , — t h at is holy jus t an d g ood , , , ,

y e t bein g g ive n t o man in t h e ea rt hly ch arac t er i n w hi ch ,

chara ct er n o man bu t Christ ever fulfilled i t s divin e pre

ce p t s N ow t hey t o w ho m i t w as g iven be in g j ud g ed by
.
,

t h e m out h O f t h e l aw w ere co n de mn ed ; an d t hen follo w s

,

t h e s a m e i n effect as t o t h e foolish v irg i n s The t w o t al .

en t s fig ure John s dispe n sat ion w hi ch be in g com mit te d

’
,

t o h im w hom t h e L ord w a s pleas ed t o make fait h ful w as ,

profit able even t o John ; t herefore he t e st ifie t h t hat as

t h e frie n d of t h e b ride g roo m his joy w as fulfilled ; t h ere
fore he en t ered in t o t h e joy of his L ord B u t obser e .
v

here i t di d n ot belo n g t o him t o t ake t h e on e t alen t

, .

N 0 ; n o n e bu t he w h o ca m e n ot t o des t roy t h e l a w bu t ,

t o fulfil it , eve n Ch ris t w h o had t h e fi ve t ale n t s could

, .
,

t ake t h e l aw fro m t h e eart h m a gn ify i t a n d m ake i t

, ,

hon orable ; an d n on e bu t he h ad po w er t o O bt ain t h e on e

t ale n t He in t h e n ext place proceeds t o Show by t h e
.
,

parable of t h e sheep an d g oat s w h o w ere t o be judg ed

,

w h e n he cam e i n his g lory w h i ch g lory si g n i fies his

,

mediat orial charact er The bet t er t o t ime t his eve n t w e

.
,

O bserve w hat he sait h M at t he w xvi 28) Verily I say

(
‘
.

un t o you t here be some st an di n g here w h o shall n ot t ast e

,

of deat h t ill t hey see t h e S on of M an co mi n g i n his kin g

dom . The part i cul ar co m in g of C h rist i n t hi s p arable is
’

t hat of h i s com in g i n t h e g ospel dispen sat ion w it h his ,

m in ist ers or apost l e s w h o w ere t h e an g els here m ean t ;

,

w hich co m in g an d jud g m e n t be g an at t h e day of Pe n t e

cost What w e learn by t h e sheep an d g oat s i n t his pas
.
,

sag e are believers an d un believers w hat w e u n derst an d

,

by all n at io n s b ein g gat he re d before h im i s t hat all w ere

 B ALLOU AND FOSTER . 529

before t h e g o spel dispe n sat io n or t hat t h a t dis pe n sat io n ,

w oul d fall on t h e m all What w e learn by t h e r ig h t .

h a n d a n d left is l a w a n d g ospel ; as Chris t is t h e m an

of God s ri g ht han d t h e rig ht han d represen t s t h e g os
’
,

pel t h e left han d t h e l aw N ow he w h o believe t h in

, .

Jesus bearet h his voice in g ospel lan g uag e sayin g i n

, , , ,

g osp e l lan g ua g e Com e ye blessed of my Fat her ; e n t er

, ,

in t o t h e kin g do m pre pared for y ou fro m t h e foun dat io n

of t h e w orld e t c An d w e m ay observe t hat t h e g ospel
,
.

spe aks t h e same lan g uag e t o all ; bu t alas " t h e un believer

is st ill un der t h e l a w an d be a r s t h e voice of t h e Judg e
, ,

fro m t h e mout h of t h e l aw sayin g Depart ye cursed , , , ,

et c
. An d t he n follo w s t h e sam e t orm e n t , i n effect as ,

w a s de n oun ced i n t h e o t her parables .

Wit h re g ard t o w hat y ou said on t h e durat io n of t h e

m isery of t h e w icked w hich solut io n you draw from t h e
,

sa m e w ord s bein g ap pli ed t o i t as is applie d t o t h e happi

’

n ess of t h e sai n t s lit t le n eed be said seei n g you ac k n ow l

, ,

edg e t hat you are n ot t o be in form ed t hat t his w ord is

so m e t im e s applied t o circum s t an ces an d t hin g s w hich are
n ot s t rict ly e t ern al I w ill t herefore o n ly g ive you t h e
.

crit erio n on w hich I t ry t h is poin t Alt hou g h t his is n ot

t o be det erm i n ed fro m t h e bare w ord y e t w e m ay t r y it ,

on plai n S crip t ure rule L e t us ask t he n C a n m isery

.
, ,

co n t i n ue an y lo n g er t han t h e cause con t in ues An s w er

No . I n t h e n ext place What is t h e cause of m isery ,

An s w er : Sin I n t h e n ext place Will S i n ever be de

.
,

st royed or w ill it e n dure t o all et ern it y

,
An sw er
S eve n t y w eeks are de t erm i n ed on t hee an d on t h y peo ,

ple in w hich he w ill fin ish sin an d brin g i n everlast in g

, ,

rig ht eousn ess e t c N ow l e t us ask What is t h e cause

,
’
.
,

of t h e happi n ess of t h e sain t s An sw er Ri g ht e ousn ess ,

eve n t hat of Chr ist s N ow observe he fi n ishe s s in

’
. , ,

w hich is t h e cause of m isery an d brin g s i n everlas t i n g ,

ri g ht eous n ess w h ich is t h e cause of hap pin ess N ow

,
.
,

as it I S I m possible t o prove t hat ri g ht e o u sn ess w ill ever

VO L . I . 34
530 UNI V ERSALI SM I N AMERI CA.

co me t o an e n d, t h e happin ess of t h e sain t s w ill con

t in n e
. B e cause I live, ye sh all l ive also ’ Alt ho u g h I
‘
.

co n sider t hi s poin t fairl y i n ve st i g at ed, y e t I w ill rem i n d

.

you of on e t ext w hich i n it self is co n clus ive t o t his

eff ect (Rev xxi 4) ‘An d t here sh al l be n o m ore deat h
. .
,

n eit her so r ro w n or cry i n g n eit her shall t here be an

, , y
more pain e t c ,
’
.

The n ext pas sag e you quot e t o me i s t hat i n L uke xi i .

I n t his passag e t h e sam e t hi n g is mean t as i n t hose para

bl es before explain ed Observe : Whe n on ce t h e m ast er
.
‘

of t h e house ha t h rise n up an d hat h Shut t o t h e door,,

an d ye be g i n t o s t an d w it hout an d k n ock at t h e door ,

s ayi n
g ,
L ord , L ord , ope n un t o us ,
’
et c Here w e view .

h im as before, shutt in g t h e door of t h e l a w an d t h e ,

Je w s w h o w ere blin ded, as before observe d, kn ockin g at

t ha t door ; t he n it is said t o t he m t h e s am e i n e ff ect as ,

i s said t o t he m in t h e ot her parables You may observe .

so m e t hin g Of t his sayi n g S peakin g of t h e w ay of life or

, ,

t h e s t rai t g at e, verse 2 4 : For m an y, I say un t o you,

‘

shall seek t o en t er i n an d S h a l l n ot be able ; obse rve, ’

'

t hey seek i n g t o e n t er i n a t t h e door of t h e l aw w ere

n ot able .

The n follow s an accoun t of t h e collect in g of t h e

Gen t iles from t h e east w est n ort h, an d sout h an d of
, , ,

t heir S itt i n g do w n i n t h e ki n g dom of God w hile t h e ,

Je w s w ere cast ou t An d he closes t his passag e by say

.

i n g (verse ‘
An d b ehold t here are last w hich shall
b e first an d t here are first w hich Shall be last ’ That is,
, .

i n o t her w ords ‘Publican s a n d h arlot s shal l e n t er t h e

,

kin g do m of God before you ; w hi ch i n t im at es t h at t hey

should en t er aft erw ards T h e n ext S cri pt ure t o w hic h
.

you refer me i s t hat i n 2 Thess i You quot e t o me . .

w h at is s a id fro m verse 3 t o 1 0 ; b u t my o b servat io n w ill

be part icul arly on t h e everlast in g dest ruct i on me n t ion ed

i n verse 9 This Co min g of t h e Lord Jesus i n fl a m in g
.

fire m ust mea n his comin g i n t h e spirit of t h e g ospel ;

 B ALLOU AND FOSTER .

for th is flamin g fire m ust be of an heaven ly n at ure; or

Chr ist a n d his an g els w ould n ot be foun d in it B u t t h e .

part icular m ist ake ge n erally made in t h e e xpl an at io n of

t h is passag e is t hat of t h e creat u re ’s bei n g ban ished f r o m
t h e pre sen ce of t h e L o rd w hich is a n i mpossibilit y , ,

f or t hat of t h e pun ish m e n t s proceedin g from t h e pres e n ce ’

of t h e Lord an d fro m t h e g lory of his po w er N ow

, .

O bserve t h e prese n ce of t h e L ord des t roys all S in a n d

,

false co n cept ion s our sel f rig ht eousn ess e t c ; an d t his is

,
-
, .

pun i shm e n t to t h e creat ure as sait h t h e Apost le : If ,

‘

an y m an s w ork be b u rn ed he sh al l suf fer loss ; bu t

’ ’
,

O bs erve he him self shall be saved y e t so as by fire

,
‘
,
“
The l ast passag e y ou q uot e in vin dicat io n of et ern al
mi sery i s Rom xiv 1 5 Dear Sir is it n ot an al arm in g
. . .
,

idea t o suppose t hat t h e w eig h t of et ern al t hi n g s ha n g s

.

on t h e caprice of a m an s eat in g a piece of me at a lit t le

’

un charit ably Dest roy n ot h im w it h t h y meat for

‘

w hom Chri s t died N ow t h e L ord sait h t o Israel

’
. O ,

Israel " t hou has t dest royed t hyself ; bu t in m e i s t h y

help . H ow m uch easier w ould you suppose i t t o be for
’

t h e w hole house of Isra el t h us dest royed t o b e helped, , ,

t han on e w hom an o t her had des t royed w i t h his m eat

You say it st ill re main s t o be proved t hat all m e n
,

w ill ever o b ey Chris t e tc T O prove t h is I n eed reci t e

, .
,

bu t on e passa g e an d t hat is sait h t h e L ord, The n w il l

, ,

I t urn t o th e people a pu re lan gu a g e, t hat t he y m ay al l

call on t h e n am e of t h e L ord, an d serve h im w it h on e
con se n t .
’

“
S uff er me n ow t o ob se r ve t houg h you very g e n erously ,

say t o my t hird quest ion t h at Chri st di ed for all m e n

, , ,

e tc e t you do n ot an s w er t h e quest io n w he t her i t

.
,y
w as his missio n fin ally t o save all man kin d You Oh .

serve t hat t here are t w o quest io n s in my t hird ; t he n

m ost ce rt ain ly t hey eac h deserved an an s w er O bserve, .

w het her t o die for, an d fi n ally save w ere bo t h in t h e ,

m issio n of Christ is bu t on e ques t i o n ,

.
5 32 UNI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

N ow , Sir, lt hough I coul d n ot w i sh t o t rouble you,

a

y e t w h ile I t han k you f or you r very kin d let t er, I can

,

do n o less t han de sire a fart h er correspo nd en ce, if y our

n ecess ary avocat io n s w ill ad mit An d S ir shou l d y ou .
, ,

plea se t o w rite ag a in , I sh ould b e very happy i f you

w ould an s w er t hose quest i o n s in my former let t e r w hich

re mai n un an s we red, — if y ou co n si der t hem S O I n t his .

I w o u l d submit t o your judg m e n t Al so s o m e quest io n s .

w hich I shal l here s t at e , leav i n g you, S ir, t o jud g e of

w hat de n om i n at i o n t hey are
Fi rst D id God k n ow f rom et ern it y, each eve n t
.
,

w hich w ould t ake p l ace in t i me, even con t ain i n g th e

i de a of e ach vol it ion an d act ion of his creat ures
“
S econ d Wa s it possible for an yt hi n g t o fa il of
.

be i n g w hich God, wi t h an absolute kn o w ledg e, kn e w

,

w oul d be
Thi rd Did t he Fat her sen d his S on in t o t h e w orl d t o
.
‘

di e f or t hose w ho m it w as i m possible shoul d be s ave d

“ Ki n d S ir i f
, what I have w rit t e n con t ai n s an y i de a
di s re Spec t f u l t o you , I pray y ou w oul d c on s ider i t as
u n me an t in me .

Do n ot con s i de r t hat w hat I have w r it t en on t hose

pas sages t o w hich y ou re fer me w as w r it t en for your
in st ruct i on ; bu t t h at you m i ght kn ow w h y I could n ot
accom modate t hem t o w hat you seem t o .

R S Pardon w hat ever you se e illit erat e (pp 13

. .

M r Foste r
.
’
s repl y t o t hese qu est i on s w as

“
I w ill
an sw er t he m to t h e best of my kn ow l ed ge, an d
so explic it ly t hat y ou shall n ot again be at a loss for my
m ean in g .

To your first quest i on I an s wer I kn ow n ot ,

.

To your secon d Yes , .

“ To your t h i rd N o
(pp 30, , .

In Mr . Fos te r s ’
n ex t l e t ter he says
 B ALLO U AND FOS T ER .
5 33

“
I il l con clude by as kin g y ou t w o quest ion s, i n my
w
t urn , b ot h n at urally su g g est e d by some th in
g dropped i n
your a n s w er, viz
F irst Do you believe t here is an y moral difl e r e n ce
.

bet w een virt ue an d vice or an y diff eren ce bu t in name

o n ly
“
S eco n d Do you believe in an y pun ishme n t at all
.

aft er t his lif e ? ”

Mr Ball ou an s w ered t h e first qu es t ion Yes if I
.
, ,

u n derst an d t h e q uesti on .
”
An d t h e secon d No , .

S u b se que n t l y t h e part ies m e t on t h e road t o Oran e

,
g ,

an d en gag e d i n con vers at i on on t h e su bj ect of t hei r

l et t ers I n a l et te r of l at er dat e M r Ball ou says

. .

“
If you recoll ect S ir i n t h e lit t le opport un it y
, ,

w hich w e h ad on t h e road I observed t o you t hat I di d

, ,

n ot b elieve i n fut ur e misery because i t w as a mat t er ,

i n w hich I w as n ot est ablished ; an d t herefore coul d

n ot say t hat I b elieved t hat i n w hi ch I w as n ot es t ab

li sh e d .

I am n ow sat isfied in t h e idea of a fut u r e st at e of

di sc ipl in e ,
in w hi ch t e i pe i e t w ill be m iserable
h m n t n
”
.

Mr . Foste r s n ext let t er

’
w as his l ast . He says
I recol l ect w hat you obser ved on t h e ro ad t o Oran g e, ,

con cern in g your n ot bein g est ablished in t h e poin t re

sp ect in g an y pun i shm e n t aft e r t hi s li fe You n ow pro .

fess yourself sat i sfie d in t h e i dea of a fut ure st at e of

‘

disciplin e ’ e t c I am a t a l oss on w hat groun ds you

, .

obt ai n t his sat isfact io n ; or h ow y ou can kn ow t hat t h e

mi series of t h e futu re life are discip l i n a ry, an d n ot rat her
”
str ict l y p en a l .

In Wh i tt emore s “
Li fe of Ball ou cop ious ex t ract s
’
,

are made from t h i s correspon den ce ; bu t M r Whit t e .

more w as u n abl e t o procur e a comp l et e cop y of th e

5 34 UNI VERS ALI SM m AM ERI CA .

pamph l et , an d so cou ld n ot g ive M r B . all ou s fin al

'

l ett er I t . w as as f oll ow s
Your last val ed ict ory let t er (as y ou in t en d it ) you ,

m us t kn o w , l eaves our co rrespon den ce in a very u n fin

i sh e d s t a t e , on my p art provided you pu blish t h e epis
,

t les On perus i n g your las t le tt er bu t on e , I con ceive d

‘

t h at our correspon de n ce on t h e subject s brou g ht for w ar d

m ig ht n ot b e so profit able as on t h e part icular idea of
t h e g e n eral rest orat i on I did n ot an sw er your let t er in
.

p art icula r, bu t observed t hat t h e subj ect s w ere of a n at ure

w hich I had rat her n ot deba t e i n pu bl i c .

You in form me t hat my desire n ot t o have our

correspon den ce published is un t im ely, as you have pu t
t h e first p art in t o t h e pri n t er s han ds On accoun t of
’
.

so m e st rokes i n t h e form er quer ies, w hich respect t h e

syst e m of fat al it y w h ich are u n dec i ded in se n t i m en t
, ,

I choose n ot t o have t he m published How ever, I ha v e .

n o part icul ar avers i on t o havi n g t he m published as t h e ,

reader w ill u n ders t an d t hat I do n ot co n t e n d for t h e

s t ri ct i dea of fat alit y as i t respect s t h e p a r t i cu l a r a cti on s
of m an k in d .

“
B u t i t is of n ecessit y Sir t hat I an s w er your la st
, ,

bu t on e m ore part icul a rly if y ou publish i t as I w as n ot

, ,

part icular i n my last to y ou havin g an idea of co m in g ,

more part icularly on a difie re n t query B u t I s hall be .

co n cis e o b servi n g o n ly on t w o poi n t s, w hi ch refer t o my

, .

m ai n query : T he first is t h e w ay w h i ch you t ake t o

,

exon erat e or free yourself fro m my i n fere n c e The w ay .

you have t ake n i s, in e ffect t o say t hat God has n o fin al

,

i n t en t io n t o make h i s creat ures happy i n t h e e n joy me n t

of him self, n or miserable by bein g excluded his favor .

This sir, is in deed t h e on ly w ay t o free yourself ; bu t

,

w hat freedom do you e n joy i n t his I t i s sayin g t hat ,

t h e fi n al i n t e n t i o n of Jeho va h respect i n g h i s creat ures,

,

does n ot ext e n d so far as t heir fin al e xi ste n ce " an d t hat

 B ALLOU AND r osr ss . 5 35

his in t e n t ion respec t in g man aff ect s him in t ime, bu t n ot

t o all e t e rn i t y
.

“
L ast ly I w ill o n ly co n n ect w it h t his idea w hat you
,

have said re spect in g t h e forek n ow led g e of God, in w hich

you profess t o believe in his posit ive forekn ow led g e of
all even t s ; bu t you say t h at his forekn o w in g all e ve n t s
did n ot m ake t h em cert a in or n ecessary Whet her hi s .

fore k n o w in g t h e eve n t s m ade t hem c ert ain or n ot i t is ,

eviden t t hat t hey w e re cert ai n , or it could n ot be said t hat

God cer tai n ly kn e w t he m ; for God could n ot kn ow t hat
a n even t w ould t ake plac e if t hat eve n t w as u n cert ai n
, .

If all eve n t s t hat ever exi st w ere cert ain , as m ust be t h e

case if God had a posit ive kn ow ledg e of t he m , t he n
t hey m ust be con sidered as un avoidabl e by t h e creat ure .

Whe t her God, from et ern it y t ook part icular cogn i

,

z an c e of al l m i n ut e eve n t s, is a questi on in my min d ; b ut

t hat he did of al l even t s w hich con cern our e t ern al s t at e ,

I firmly believe Co n si der S ir your ow n idea of God’s

.
, ,

forekn ow l edg e, con n ect ed w it h your idea of h i s fin al

in t en t i o n respect in g his creat u res Here you make his
.

kn o w ledg e ext e n d fart her t han his fi n al in t en t io n an d ,

t hat if an y of t h e h um an rac e are e n dlessly happy he ,

u n con di ti on a l l y k n e w i t
, bu t did n ot u n con di ti on a l l y de
t erm in e i t ; also, t hat i f a n y of t h e hu m an race are
e n dlessly m iserable he posit ively kn e w it , bu t did n ot
,

posit ivel y det ermin e it .

“ Thus I e n d t hin k in i t n ot proper, i n t hi s corre

, g
spon de n c e t o an sw er you r last as y ou did n ot expec t
, ,

i t bu t rat her st at ed your queries for m y peculiar a dv an

,

t ag e , for w hich I am obli g ed t o you S ir, in g rat i t ude

,
.

Wi shin g you, Si r d iv in e peace in spirit ual experie n ce,

,

an d all w h o m ay r e ad t hese queries everlas t i n g co n sola

”
t i o n a n d g ood hope I re main yours an d t heirs in love
, ,
.

I n 1 800 t h e N e w En glan d Con ve n t i on so far depart ed

from t he Ph ilade lph ia Con ven t i on s Form o f Church
’
5 36 UNI V ERS ALI SM m AM ERI C A .

Govern men t ,
had adop t ed in 17 9 4 as t o t ake
w hich it ,

th e m a tt er o f li ce n se fe ll o w ship ord in at i on an d d i s
, , ,

c ipl in e i n t o it s ow n ha n ds S eve n o f t h e n in e vot es

.

passed a t t h is sess io n w ere on t hese subj ect s Le tt ers .

t es t i mo n i a l of li ce n se t o preach w ere g ran t ed t o M iles

T Woo l ey Ed wa rd Turn er Joshua F l agg an d E dw in

.
, , ,

Ferriss .
”
Fe l l ow ship w as gran t ed t o E dmun d Pill s
”

b ury John Fos t er an d Samue l M ead ; an d prov i s ion

, ,

w a s made for t h e ord in at i on of Wa lte r F e rri ss an d a ,

”

committ ee w as appo in t ed t o examin e t h e creden t ials

o f appli can t s for ord in at i on a n d t o ordain if so re , ,

quest ed in t h e recess o f th e Co n ve n t i on ; an d if c ircum

,

st an ces poss ibly admit t hat Bro t her M il es Treadw ell

,

Woo ley b e grat ifi ed in hi s req uest for ordin at io n ,

w hen acco m pa n i ed b y proper t es t i mon i al s fro m t h e Con

n e c t ic u t soc i e t i es A co mm itte e o f di sc ip lin e w a s a l so
.

appo in te d an d charg ed t o in vest ig at e a part icul ar case

,

w h i ch had b een b roug ht t o t h e n o t i ce o f t h e C on

v e n t i on .

Rev Samue l M ead w e have spoken of in t h e first

.
,

chapt er Rev Edmun d Pill s bury w as a Co n vert from

. .

th e Bapt i st s an d w as livin g at N ort h w ood N H

, ,
. .
,

w h ere he had bee n set t l ed over a Bap t i s t church i n .

17 79 . He b ec a m e a Un iversali s t ab ou t 1 7 9 7 N 0 par .

t icu l ar s in re g ard t o h is life have b een preserved .

Re v J ohn Fost er w a s a n at ive of S t aff ord C t an d

.
,
.
,

w as t h e s on of Rev Isaac Fos t er past or o f t h e Co n g re

-
.
,

gat ion al church in West St a ff ord The son w as a Con .

g re gat ion al m in i s t er at Pax t on M ass an d su b se que n t ly , .

,

at Tau n t on an d w as d i sm i ssed from t h e pas t ora t e i n

,

t h e l a t t er p l ace in 1 7 99 He t hen b ecame a schoo l

.

t e acher in St on in g t on Ct w here he emb raced U n i ver

,
.
,
 REV . EDWARD T URNER . 5 37

salis m , an d for a wh il e preached

city o f N e w in t h e
York Dr Fran ci s in Ol d N e w York says
. .
,
”
I ,

have heard man y speakers bu t n o n e w hose voice ever ,

e q ualle d th e vo l ume o f Fost er s I t flo w ed w it h de ’

.

l i ci ou s e a se an d ye t pen e tra t ed everyw here He b es ides

, .

w as favored w it h a n o bl e pre s en ce On h is appea r

”
. .

an ce in N e w Y ork permi ss i on w as sought for hi s occu

,

pyin g t h e p u l p it o f t he church m in ist ered t o b y Rev .

Ed w ard M it chell bu t t h e re q ues t b e in g den i ed a p l ace ,

o f m e e t in g w as open ed for hi m in Rose St reet an d ,

aft er w ards in Broad w ay n ear Pear l He con t in ued , .

t here t w o or thr ee years an d t hen res umed hi s o l d ,

lab or of school t eachin g He di e d at an advan ced age

-
.

in N orw i ch Ct h is l at er years n ot fu lfillin g t h e prom

,
.
,

i se of hi s yout h H i s o n l y publi cat ion w as a pa m ph le t

.

o f fort y e ight pag es e n t it l ed Un iversal Salvat ion Ar

-
, ,

g u e d i n Fou r D i scourses de li vered in t he C it y of N e w ,

York A D
,
. .

O f Re v M il es T Woo l ey bu t lit t l e is kn ow n
. . At .

t h e t i me he w as li ce n sed he res ided in Con n ec t icut .

S u b se q uen t l y he removed t o O t seg o Cou n t y N e w York , ,

w here some t i me in M arch 1 803 he org an ize d

, Th e , ,

F irst Un i versali s t Soc ie t y of t h e Co u n t y of Ot seg o th e ,

fi rst Un iversalis t organ iz at ion w est of Ne w York c it y ,

a n d s t il l in exi s t e n c e w orsh ipp in g i n i t s church a t F l y

,

C reek i n t ha t cou n t y
,
M r Woo l ey w as eccen t ri c a n d
. .
,

di d n ot l on g remain in t h e min ist ry .

Re v E dw ard Tu rn er w as a n at i ve o f M e dfie l d M as s
.
, .
,

w here he w as b orn J u l y 2 8 1 7 7 6 He b ec ame a U n i , .

v ersa li st w hen s i xt ee n or seve n t een years of age at ,

w h ich t ime he w as a s t ude n t at Le i ces t er Academy .

T w o years la t er he seems t o have b een in t i ma t e l y ao

5 38 U NI VERSALI SM I N AM ERI C A .

qu ain t e d w it h Rev Hosea Ballou w it h w hom as alr eady

.
, ,

n o t i ced he a t t hat t i me co n versed f ree l y co n cer n in g t h e

,

U n it ari an v i e w s w h ich M r Ball ou w as t he n pr om u l .

g a t in g His first sermon w as preached at Ben n in gt o n

.
,

V t in 1 7 9 8
,
When licen sed he w as res id in g in St ur
.
,

b ridg e M ass He w as act ive for man y years in de n omi

,
.

n at i o n al w ork occupy in g m an y pos it i on s o f t rust a n d

,

hon or an d alw ays soug ht a ft er as a n able an d in st ruct

,

ive preacher “
He w as says t h e lat e Dr Ball ou on e
.
,
.
,

o f t h e m os t ac t i ve an d in fluen t ia l of t h e Un iversal ist

m in i s t ry in 1 81 1 The lat e Dr Brooks w h o publi shed
”
,
. . .

in t he U n iversa l i st Q uart erly for Apri l an d J u ly ,

1 87 1 a biographi ca l ske t ch of M r Turn er remarks

,
.
,

M r Turn er it i s prob a bly n ot t oo m uch t o say w as

.
, ,

t h e foremos t man i n our earl y church in respec t t o schol

arly an d lit erary a tt a in men t s ”
Durin g t h e rest orat io n .

i st con t roversy of w hi ch w e shall have more t o say

u n der it s spec ial dat e M r Turn er w it h dre w from t he .

U n i versali st de n om in at io n an d sub se quen t ly preached , ,

amon g t h e Un it arian s He d ied J an 2 4 1 85 3 in h i s . .

, ,

seven t y seve n t h year -

.

Rev J oshua F lagg w as b orn in 1 7 7 3 He w as a man

. .

o f great n at ive abili t y bu t h i s useful n ess w as m ar red ,

b y h is n umerous ecce n t ric it ies an d h is in t e n se preju

d ices H i s deat h occurred i n Dan a M ass in N ovemb er
.
,
.
, ,

1 85 9 w he n he had passed h i s e igh t y s i x t h year

,
The -
.

foll o w in g j ust a n d apprec iat i ve n ot ice appeared in t h e

an n ou n cemen t of h i s deat h in t h e Un iversali s t ,

Reg i st er for 1 86 1 Though o f rude v ig or an d co n t ro

”

ve rsial sp i r it in h i s ear l y days w he n persecu t i o n a n d ,

v io l en t oppos it i o n w ere me t on every s ide y e t his ,

]

d evo t i o n a l sp i rit an d earn es t sin cer it y in l at er years

 REV . EDWI N FERRI SS .
5 39

w on g e n era l
regard a n d t h e cl erg y of h i s t o w n ge n
, ,

e ral l y at t e n ded his fun eral a n d pai d due t rib ut e o f

,

respec t t o his m emory .

”

Rev E d w in Ferri ss w as a b rot her of Wal t er Ferri ss

.

prev i ously men t i o n ed He w a s b orn Fe b 2 0 1 7 7 7

.
.
, .

A t t h e t ime of h i s b e in g lice n sed t o preach he w a s

l ivin g a t Pa w l in gst ow n N Y n ear t h e b orders of , . .
,

V ermon t I n 1 80 2 he rem oved t o Ot seg o Coun t y N Y

.

, . .
,

a n d t here preached occas i on a ll y b u t devot ed mos t of ,

his t im e t o t h e cu lt iva t io n of h i s farm He w as a .

p lai n m a n of Q uaker habi t s t horoughly con sc ien t ious

, , ,

a n d fait hfu lly fo ll ow in

g t h e l ig ht as it w as made m a n i
fest t o h im O n on e occasi o n he w it hdre w from t h e
.
,

fe llo w shi p of t h e Un iversali s t s because t hey seemed t o

h im t o have n o syst em of b e l ief n o se t of opi n io n s in ,

w h i ch a ll u n it ed save t h e on e i dea of un i versa l r e st ora

,

t io n . A b ou t t h is t im e ( 1 82 7 ) he w r ot e an d pu bli shed
a sma ll b ook e n t it l ed The Plain Rest i t u t i on i s t in t h e ,
”

preface t o w hi ch he says
“
Bei n g fully co n vin ced t hat I ow e t o t h e p ublic w orld
of m an kin d a syst e mat ic st at e m e n t of my reli g ious se n t i
m e n t s t hat e v ery perso n w h o pleases may read a n d
,

plai n ly un derst an d for hi m self my serious vie w s of t h e

sacred S cript ures an d of t h e n at ure of t h e rig ht eous plan
,

of divi n e g race I a m disposed t o lay before t h e re lig ious

,

w orld w hat has bee n m ad e plai n ly t o appear t o m e as

sacred t rut h I feel t his obli g at io n so t o do st ro n g ly
.

i m pressed upon m e as on e volun t arily s t an din g alo n e i n

t h e w orld as t o my co n n ect io n w i t h a n y reli g ious de
n o m i n at io n I o n ce w as a m e m ber of t h e Gen e ral C on
.

v e n t i on of U n iversalis t s bu t fi n din g by careful i n quiry

,

am on g t h e bret hre n t hat alt houg h t hey w ere w ell ag reed

t hat all m e n w ill fi n ally be saved y e t n o re g ular syst e m ,
5 40 U NI VERS ALI SM I N AM ERI CA
.

at ic plan of g race t o efi e ct t hat desirable re sult w a s foun d

t o exis t as a u n an i m ous s t an dard of doct r in e am o n g t h e
U n ive rsalist s M an y of t he m I foun d, diff ere d from me
.
,

i n t heory I foun d w e could n o lo n g er w alk t o g e t her

.
,

an d of course t hou g ht it my dut y peaceably t o Wi t hdraw

fro m t heir con n ect io n w hich t hey as pea ce ably con sen t ed
,

t o an d I w as dis m isse d fro m bein g a m e m ber a mon g

,

t he m bu t s t ill co n t in u ed t o pre ach t h e sam e doct ri n e

,

as before ” .

LikeCal eb Ri ch M r Ferri ss st art s w it h t h e t heory

,
.

t ha t man w as creat ed i n t h e d iv in e i mag e bu t formed ,

in flesh an d bl ood ; bu t t h e d i v in e i mag e i s Chris t in ,

w hom a ll m e n are origi n a ll y co n t a in ed a n d t hrough ,

t h e flesh t hey b ecom e a l ie n at ed fro m t heir He a d .

O b edie n ce t o t h e sp ir it ua l dema n d of Jesus rei n st a t es

t he m . To t hi s ob ed ien ce th e gospel cal ls a n d m an t e ,

t races h i s w ay b y repe n t a n ce an d reg e n erat i o n Pu n .

is h me n t i s in fl ic t ed on t h e s in n er n ot on Chri s t an d
, ,

pun i shmen t b eyo n d t hi s life is cert ain for t h e in corrigi

bl e ; bu t all di sci plin e is a mean s an d w ill resu lt in
,

leadi n g t o ob ed ie n ce .

The sa m e year of t he publicat io n o f hi s b ook he

ret ur n ed t o fe ll ow sh ip w it h t h e den om in at i on ; bu t in
1 83 1 he w rot e t o t h e s t an d in g c lerk o f th e Chen an o
g
Associ at ion

I w it hdraw for t h e prese n t fro m t h e w ork of t h e

min is t ry an d fro m an y co n n ect ion w it h t h e order of
,

Un iversalist s B u t st ill I do n ot de n y my b elief in t h e

.

doct rin e I w o uld also i n form you an d t he m t hat it is

.
,

n ot because I have an
y char g e ag ai n st t h e order of U n i
u t hav in
v e r sa l i st s b
, g ot her bu si n ess of a w orld ly n at ure ,

w h ich very much occup i es an d t roubles m m ind at pres;

y
 REC OM M ENDATI ONS . 5 41

en t . I t herefore can n ot at t e n d t o t h e m in is t ry w it h t hat

e n ergy w h ich beco mes a g ospel preacher ”
.

Whet her he pre ached aft er t h i s da t e is u n kn o wn .

He di ed i n P ort er M i chiga n M ay 4 1 83 9
, , , .

The Co n ven t ion in 1 80 0 al so in st ru cte d t heir mod

, ,

e ra t or Re v Georg e Ri chards t o
, . correspon d w it h t h e
,

soc iet i es t o th e sou th w ar mean i n g n o doubt t hose in , ,

fel l ow sh i p w i h
t t h e P ade lphia Co ven t i on ; an d
hil n
“

al so w i t h t h e E as t e rn A ssociat i on org an ized t h e pre v i”

,

ous year I t took st e ps t ow ards order an d regu larit y

.

in it s w ork a due ob servan ce O f t h e Chr is t ia n ordi

,

n an ces an d pro t ec t in g it se lf from evil speak in g t on gu es

,
-
,

b y adop t i n g seven recomm en dat ion s coverin g t h e fo l ,

l ow in g su bj ect s t hat soc i et ies n ot t hen represen t ed

,

sen d messe n gers t o t he n ext Co n ven t ion an d al so f or ,

w ard a part i cu l ar accou n t of t he ir co n dit i on ; t ha t a ll

messen g ers b e chosen an n ua ll y on th e fi rst Sabbat h in
Ju n e “ t hat all soc iet ies n ot favored w it h preach in g
do n evert hel ess co n st an t ly assem bl e on t h e first day o f
, ,

t he w eek an d if t hey have n o o t her gi ft amo n g t hem

, ,

t hat t hey a t t e n d t o t h e rea din g Of t h e S crip t ures ;

t hat a ll soc i et ies pay peculiar solemn ized att e n t i on to
regul ari t y an d dis ciplin e ; t hat t h e soci et ies co n s ider
w he t her t h e ordin an ces of t h e N e w Test a m ent are n ot th e
comman dmen t s o f t h e Lord t h e Sav i our ; t ha t mem ,

b ers o f t h e Con ven t i on asse mbl e on t h e even in g Of t he

day previ ous t o t heir reg u lar mee t in g t ha t de lays in
”
,

t h e morn in g sess i on may b e avoi ded ; t hat th e cou n c il

Of t h e Con ven t i on do assembl e i n f u t ure at t h e pri vat e

h ouse o f a b rot her or s i st er as it b ecome t h us t o a b s t a in

,

from t h e appearan ce of ev il I t i s a fair in feren ce from

.

t h i s l as t recommen da t i o n t ha t some sess i o n or sess io n s , ,

5 42 UNIV ERS ALI SM I N A MERI CA .

had b een hel d in a pu bli c house an d if as is mo st prob , ,

abl e t his appearan ce of ev il arose from t h e fact t hat

,

i n t ox icat in g l iq uors w ere so l d at such places t hi s may ,

b e pl aced a m on g t h e first eff ort s of an y eccl es iast i ca l

b ody in America t o di scoun t en an ce th e use O f in t oxi
can t s At t hat t ime an d for m an y years aft er t h e use
.
, ,

of in t oxi ca n t s so prevail ed amo n g all t h e sec t s espe ,

ci c ll y a t assoc ia t i o n s ded i ca t i on s a n d ord in a t i o n s t hat

, , , ,

ordin arily t h e bil l s for t h e liquors furn i shed w ere t h e

,

larg est i t em in t h e expe n ses of such o ccas i on s The lat e .

Rev St ephe n R Smit h i s aut horit y for t he st ate men t

. .

t ha t at t h e sess i on o f t h e Ge n era l Con ve n t i o n at Wes t

morel a n d N H in 1 8 1 4 a resol u t io n w as passed t hat
, . .
, ,

“
S oc iet i es b e re q ues t ed n ot t o furn i sh liq uor at t h e
sub se quen t meet i n g s of t hat b ody ” 1
There i s n o dou bt
t ha t t hi s i s t h e earl ies t act i on of t h e k in d t a ken b y an y
sect as it w as n ot t ill t hirte en years lat er t hat eve n
,

t empera n ce soc i et ies advocat ed t o t a l a b s t in e n ce an d ,

t h e pu bli ca t i on of Dr Ly m an Beecher s l ec t ures on

’
.

in t e m pera n ce in duced rel igious b odies t o dis cuss t he

su bj ect an d t o pass resol u t ion s on it .

We have n ow brought our sket ch o f t h e h i s tory of

Un iversali sm in A meri ca dow n t o t h e cl ose Of t h e
e ight een t h cen t ury t h e peri od t o w h i ch w e li mit ed
,

our e ff ort i n t h i s vol u me I n th e b ou n ds Of t h e .

N e w En glan d Con ve n t i on t here w ere t hen t h e foll ow

in g preachers
I n t h e D i st ri c t o f M a in e Rev Thomas Barn s P ol an d , . ,
.

I n M assachuse t t s Revs J oh n M urray , Bos t on ; H O

,
.

sea Ba ll ou Dan a ; E dw ard Turn er St urbri dg e ; Cal e b

, ,

R ich War w ick Eben ezer Pa in e ( of w hom w e have n o

,

1 E van g e lical M ag a in e z an d G ospel A dvocat e , M arc h 1 7 , 184 8 .

 M I NI STERS I N SERVI C E .
5 43

f ur t her kn o w l edge ) Williams b urg ; James Babbit t (a ,

m an o f fa i r a bilit ies a n d of irrep roachable charac t er) ,

Dan a ; John Fost er Tau n t on ; Zephan iah Lat he Graf , ,

t on an d Joshua F l agg res i de n ce u n k n ow n

, Possibly , .
,

also Revs James Briggs an d S amuel Sm it h in Berkshire

,
.
,

Coun t y .

I n N e w Hampsh ire Revs Dav id Ba l lou Richmon d , .

,

E d m u n d Pi ll sb ury N or t h w ood ; Georg e Rich a rds Port s

, ,

mou t h an d Ze b ulon S t reet er res iden ce u n k n o w n

, , .

I n V ermo n t Revs Jcab You n g S t raff ord ; W illiam

, .
,

F arw e l l Ba rre ,
.

I n Co n n ec t icu t Revs M il es T Wool ey residen ce u n

, . .
,

kn o w n ; Ga m al ie l Rey n olds N orw ich an d Rev S olo , , .

m on G l over N e w t o w n The l att er became a U n i ver

,
.

sa list preacher in 1 80 0 a n d w as orda in ed i n 1 80 1 He , .

al w ays resided a t N e w t o w n l iv in g an d dyin g in t h e ,

house i n w hich he w as b orn I t i s said t hat for t w en t y .

years he w as t h e on l y preacher of Un iversali s m in Con

n e c t ic u t He w as a man of st ron g n at ive a b ilit ies an d
.

of a pure li fe He die d in 1 842 a t t h e advan ced age

.
,

O f n in e t y t w o years
-
.

I n N e w Y ork Revs Wal t er an d E dw in Fe rri ss ,

.
,

Paw li n gs t ow n .

The foll o w in g n am ed w ere in act ive serv i ce in th e

t erri t ory usua ll y represe n t ed in t h e Ph il ade l ph ia Con
v e n t i on :

InP en n syl van ia Revs Dav id Evan s N e w Brit a in ; ,

.
,

Thomas J o n es Ph il adel ph ia ; N oah M urray At hen s ;

, ,

M oses Park S heshequin ,

.

In Jersey Revs Art is Seagrave Pil e sgr ov e

New ,
.
, ,

N ichol as Cox K in g w ood ; W illiam Wort h Pi t t sg rove

, , ;
Joseph St ephen s S hil oh ,
.
544 U NI V ERS ALI SM IN AM ERI C A.

In M aryl an d , Revs . W illi am Ha w k in s an d Mr .

Poll ard .

An d ,poss ibl y Revs Dun can M cLe an an d D o n al d

, .

H o l mes in Virg in ia .

I n a ll t here w ere cert a in l y b e t w ee n t hir t y an d t h ir t y

,

fiv e preachers of Un iversali sm poss ibly more i n t h e , ,

Un it ed S t at es S oc iet ie s or churches w ere org an i zed in

.

several l oca lit ies in n u mber ab out e q ual t o so m e

,

w hat in excess Of the n um b er o f preachers an d li ke

-
, ,

t hem scatt ered an d w i de apart in a larg e t errit ory

,
.

E veryw here t h e peop l e w ere eager t o hear ; an d devot ed ,

sain t ly me n w ere at great perso n a l sacrifice g o in g fort h ,

a t t h e ca ll o f God t o occ u py t h e open in g fi e l ds

,
.
 I N D EX .

AC RE LI US , I sra e l , on U n iv e rsal ism t h e t ri al of M M u rra ’s su it vs

r. y .

a mon g th e D u n e rs, 36 ; an d k t h e Firs t P

a ri sh , 1 94 .

a mon g t h e M or a vi an s, 42 . B ache l or ’s Hal l , ” hil a de l phia , oc P

A da m s, M iss Ha n n a h , on U n iv e rsal c u pie d b y M r M u r ra , 3 29 . y .

iste a n d U n i v e rsa lism in 1 7 9 1 , 3 45 . B y

a il e , Re v J 40 9
. .

A da ms, P
re s ide n t J oh n in t rod u ce s , B a l c h , Re v W S , on Re v Wi ll iam
. . . .

M r M u rra . t o m e m be rs of h is y Fare w e ll , 3 5 3 .

c abi n e t 5 12 . B a ll ou , Re v D av id, 2 9 3. .

Ad e l os, w ri te s a g a i n st C h an n e , y B all ou , Re v Hose a , 3 5 3 ; be l ie f i n

.

92 . f u t u re disc ipl in e , 5 3 3 cler of k

A l big e n s e s , T h e , s a id t o h ave be en N E C on in 1 7 95 , 444 ; corre
. . .

U n iv e rs al ist s , 7 . s p on de n ce w ith Re v J oe l Foste r, .

Al l e n , D r B e v e rl , 41 1
. y . 5 2 0 ; de cl in e s off e rs f or h is re mova l
A ll e n , Re v Ti mot h , at ta c s D r
. y k . t o B oston , 5 11 ; e n cou n t e rs opposi
C h au n cy ' s pa m ph l e t , 87 . t ion in p re a ch in g U n it ari a n v i e w s,
An dre w s , Z
e p h a n ia h , c l e r of t h e k 45 5 ; h is u n e x pe ct e d ord in at ion ,
“
Pr ov id e n c e U n iv e r sal is t s,
"
2 10 . 43 3 ; it in e ran t l a bors in 1 7 9 4,
A n n a n , Re v Robe rt , h is p amphl e t
. l e t t e r t o Re v T Wh it t e more on his
. .

a g a in s t U n iv e r sal is m , 2 7 1 . U n it ar ian opi n ion s, 45 4 ; su ppl ie s

An Appe a l to t h e I mpa rt ial Pu b y
M r M u rra ’s p u l p it , 5 0 8 ; t h e par
.

l ic , " 1 87 . ish c ommi tte e a pol og i e f or h is z

A n s w e r to a n Appe a l , ” 1 87 . t re a t m e n t by M r B al c h a n d M rs . .

A rt ic l e s of Assoc ia t ion of t he I n de y
M u rra , 5 0 9 ; U n it arian v ie w s of ,
p e n d e n t C h u rc h ia l ou ce s t e r, 1 7 5 G . 448 .

A rt ic l e s of Fa it h a dopt e d by t h e B al l ou , Re v Hose a , 2d, D D , his

. . .

Ph il C on ve n t ion i n 1 7 90 ,
a d e l ph ia a n c ie n t h istor y
of U n i ve rsal is m , 2 ;
T ri n it a rian in t he ir c h a rac te r, 30 3 ; h is a c c ou n t of M r M u rra ’s t h e ol . y
s u s pe ct e d of l ea n i n g t o U n it aria n og y , 1 5 3 ; on M r Wi n c h e st e r s t h e
’
.

ism by t h e B oston C h u rch , 3 0 7 ; or ie s , 2 47 ; on t h e s prea d of U n it a

a dopt e d by t h e N e w E n g l a n d ria n vie w s a mon g U n i ve rs ali sts ,

C on v e n t ion in 1 7 9 4, 43 1 . 45 5 .

At tl e borou g h , M as s , U n iv e r sal ist s . B a n g e r , Re v T imot h , 39 . y .

in , i n 17 92 , 393 . B ar ns , L u c , 2 5 8 y .

Au g u st in e ’s t e st imon v t o th e n u mbe r B a r ns, Re v T h oma s, 25 7 , 5 1 5 , 5 42 ;

.

of U n i v e rsa lis t s, 6 a t t he s u ic ide s f u n e ra l , 5 1 6

’
. .

B a r n s, S a l l , 2 5 8 y .

B a th Kol , ” a boo ag ai n st U n ive r

-
k
B A BB TT I , Re v . Ja me s ,5 43 . sa l i sm, 99 .

B a bson , Joh n J .
, g i ve s i n c iden ts i n B y
a ne , P
e te r, on c l assin g S ir He n r y
VOL. I 85
5 46 I NDE X .

Van e w it h U n iversal ists, 2 1 . t o Re v . 8 . M a the r, 87 ; s ic k n e ss

B e llin g h a m, M a ss , Un i v e rsal ist s in , . an d de ath , 5 0 2 .

i n 1 7 92 , 394 . k
C la r e , Re v Rich a rd, 43 pu bl ish e s
.

k
B e l n a p, Re v D r e re m , 9 6 . . J y . M r Win c h est e r’s se rmon in E n g
.

B al s ha m , Re v T h os , on . . K ing ’
s l a n d , 2 38 .

C h ape l l it u rg , 45 1 y . C l e a v e l an d, Re v oh n , his pamphl e t . J

B e n e di c t s
’
Histor y of th B a p t is t s , ”
e a g a in st U n i v e rsa l is m, 1 46 .

on t he in roa ds of U n i ve rsa l is m, C l ow es , Re v Dr T imot h , 60

. . y .

30 9 . Cofli n , Elde r M ic hae l , 35 1 ; is a p

B e rl e bu rg e r B ibe l , t he , 9 .
p oin te d miss ion ar , 43 3 y .

k J
B l ac , ame s , on t h e t e m pe ran c e a t C ol l in s, Abraha m, 2 5 5 .

t i t u de a n d ra n of D r B e n amin k . j C on g re g a t ion a l ist s , U n iv e rsal ist s

Ru sh , 32 1 . a mon g t h e , 83 .

B l e dsoe , Re v Wil l iam , 41 0 . . Con n e c t ic u t, U n i ve rsa lis t s i n ,

B oh l e r , Re v e t e r, 42 . P . 1 7 92 , 3 95 .

B ol t on , Ja me s, 3 7 . C oppin , Ric h a rd, 1 1 , 1 2, 3 37 , n , 380 . .

B os t on , t he U n iv e rs alis t s pu r of , C rosw e ll , Re v , of B ost on , c h a rg e s

.

ch ase a m e e t in g h ou se , 209 ; org a n -

. y
M r M u rra w it h de n ia l of be li e f
i ze a ch u rc h , 347 ; M r M u r ra . y in U n i ve rs al is m, 1 5 9 .

g i v e s t h e m h a lf his t im e , 2 6 8 ; M r . Cox , Re v N ic h ol a s, 310 ; on f re e

.

y
M u rra re side s w ith , 419 . w i l l an d de cre e s, 386 .

B re w s t e r, C W , on J on at han M
. . . C u t hbe rt , An t h on , 2 5 5 y .

S e w al l , 2 7 3 .

B k
roo e , He n r , 1 1 y .

B row n , J oh n a n d Al ice , 39 9 . D Av xs, Dr I s aac , pre ach e s U n iv e r

.

B k
u c , M rs Le v isa , 2 5 8
. . sal is m, 1 6 5 .

B k
u c mi n st e r, Re v J S , l e tt e r t o . . . D a v is, Re v Edw in , on M aj or Ge n
.
-

M r B e l sh a m on U n itaria n p ro
. e ra l Ric h a r d G r id le , 342 y .

g re ss , 45 3 . D e Re n n e v il l e , Dr G e org e , 2 4 ; his .

pl ace of w orsh i p a t O l e , Pa , 2 7 y . .

D e l an oe , S , re plie s t o Hu n t i n g ton ,
.

C AM PB E L L , Re v . Al e x a n de r, k
see s 5 05 .

a l l ia n c e w it h t h e D u n 39k e r s, . Doe de rl e in , te st ifi e s as t o t h e a bil i

C art w rig ht , Re v .P e te r, on U n ive rsal t ie s of t he e arl U n iv e rsalist s, 5 y .

i sm i n K e n t u c ky , 4
11 . Dr e x e l iu s , on t h e e a rl sp re ad of y
C ha r min g , Re v D r , obj e cts t o g iv . . U n iv e rsa l ism , 6 .

i n g M r N or t on t h e t i tl e of proi e s
. D u c h ", Re v J ac ob, 5 6. .

sor , 45 4 . k
D u n e rs T he , a dvoca t e d U n iv e rsa l
,

Ch a pman , Re v G il e s , 38 . . is m, 35 ; e st abl ish a S u n da sch ool , . y

C h a rt e r of Compac t , a dopte d by U n i i n 1 7 40 , 37 ; t a e a c t ion ag a in s t a k
v e r s a l i st s of Gl ou ce ste r, 207 ; by p u bl ic a v ow a l of U n ive rs al i sm , 38
Associa t ion a t O x f ord, 20 7 ; by pre se n t me mbe rs h ip of , 3 9 .

soc ie t ie s i n M ilf ord, O x f ord, an d D u t ch e ss C o , N Y , e a rl U n i ve rsa l

. . . y
War w i ck 2 09 ,
. is t s in , 433 .

Ch an n e y ,
Re v D rC h arl e s , 83 ; at
. .

k
t ac s ou his w rit i n g s , 87 ; h is
p am phl e t an d boo in f a vor of k EA R B U RY, Wil l ia m , 1 1 .

U n i v e rsa l ism, 84 ; l e t t e r to D r . East e rn Assoc ia t ion , org an i a ti on of , z

S t il e s , 8 5 ; re p l ie s t o Ec l e , 88 k y . i n 17 99 , 5 1 5 .

C la r e , Re v D r J oh n , 84, 3 5 2 ; M r
k . . . k y
Ec le , Re v J os e ph , a t t a c s Dr . k .

y
M u rra ’s e st imat e of , 5 02 ; r e pl ie s Uh a u n cy s pamp hl e t , 87
’
.
 I NDE X . 5 47

Edd y , Es e k , on e of th e Po r v i de n ce T h e ophil u s Lin dse on modifi cati on y

U n i v e rsa l is ts , ” 2 11 . of Ki n g s C h a pe l lit u rg , 45 0 ; on
’
y
Ed w a rd s, M org a n , on Re v Elhan an . t he t im i d pol ic of t he U n i t aria n s , y
Wi n c h e s te r, 2 5 6 ; on Re v Ar tis . 45 2 .

S e ag ra ve , 2 9 0 . Fre e U n i ve rsal M ag a i n e , 40 1 z .

Edw a rds, Re v D r on a th an , w ri t e s
. . J Fre e wi ll a n d de cre e s, disc us sion on ,
-

a g a i n s t C h a n n e , 92 y . 385 .

Eg re m on t , M ass , U n iv e rs a l ist s i n , . Fu t u re pu n ish me n t , discu ssion s of

in 1 7 9 2 , 39 4 ; 1 7 9 4 4 3 8 ; on a dop ,
th e u estion q
of , 348, 389 , 40 9 ,
t ion of c re e d i n 1 7 9 1 , 348 . 412 .

Episc opa l ia n s, disc u ssion s in t h e ir

c on ve n t ion on omit t i n g t h e cre e d s,

6 2 ; p u t U n iv e rsa lis m i n t h e Pro GAD SD E N Ch rist ophe r, in t e re ste d in

,

p os e d ra P y
e r B oo ,
"
6 0 ; U n i ve r -
k t h e s pre ad of U n iv e rsalis m , 40 7 .

s a lis m a mon g , 43 . Gat ch e l l, Sam u el , se n te n c e d t o the

E r ig e n a , J oh n Sc otu s, de f e n ds U n i y
p il l or f or his U n i v ersal ism, 2 4 .

v e rsa l ism , 7 . Ge rha rd, Lu dw ig , 1 0 .

Ev an s , Re v D a v id , 2 5 9 ; a n a bl e
. Gie se l e r on t h e e a rl sp read of U n i y
y
Re l l a n , 2 76 ; M r M u rra s e s t i . y ’
v e r sa l ism, 6 .

m a te of , 2 6 0 ; v is its t h e We s t e rn Gl ou c e ste r, M ass , Articl e s of Associ .

C on v e n t ion , 437 ; Wri t e s c irc u l a r a t ion of th e I n de p e n de n t C h u rc h

l e t t e r f or t h e c on v e n t ion in 1 7 95 , in , 1 7 5 ; C h art e r of C ompa c t
445 .
adopt e d b y t h e U n iv e rsa l is t s of,
2 07 ; c on dit ion of U n iv e rsal is m in ,
in 1 7 92 , 3 9 3 ; e a rl U n ive rs a l ist s y
FA R E WE LL, Re v Wil l iam, 35 3 .
.
i n , 1 41 ; i n corporat ion of t h e U n i
Fe rriss , Re v Ed w in , 5 39 ; a disc ipl e v e rsa lis t ch u r ch in , 3 44 ; M r M u r .

k
.

of C a l e b Ric h , 5 40 ray m a e s i t h is h ome , 1 41 ; t h e

y
.

Fe rr iss , Re v W a l t e r, 5 1 2 com mitte e of sa f e t of , w a rn M r .

y
. .

Fe sse n d e n , Re v T homas, 1 0 2 M u rra t o l e av e t ow n , 1 49 ; t h e

P
.
.

First P
a r is h in l ou c e s t e r, e x c om G Firs t a r is h in , tax e s t h e U n iv e r
m u n ica t e s M r M u rra s h e a re rs ,
’
y sa l is t s , 1 81 ; U n iv e rsal ists i n , ag r e e
y y
.

1 7 5 ; t a x es t h e U n iv e rs al ist s a n d t o i n de m n if M r M u rra i n a su it .

z
se i e s t h e ir g oods , 18 1 : su i t brou g h t e s t h e Fi rs t
. P
a r ish , 1 84 ; U n i ve rsa

a g a in s t by M r M u rra y 184 ; c ost l ist s ih , e x c omm u n icat e d f rom t he

P
.
,

of t h e su it . 1 95 .
Fi rst a rish C hu rc h , 1 7 5 ; U n ive r
Firs t P re s b t e r of y y t h e Eastw ard , sa l ist me e t in g h ou se i n , 1 7 9
-
.

a tt ac k
s Re v D r C h a u n cy ' s pam Gl ov e r, Re v S ol omon , 5 43 . .

Gn ost ic s, U n i v e rsal ism of t h e , 4

. .

p h l e t , 99
.

Gordon , Re v Will iam att ac s Re v k

.

Fla g g , Re v os h u a , 5 38. J .
. .

D r C h a u n cy s pa mph l e t , 87
’
Fost e r, Re v D a n , 1 0 4 . .

Gorton , S am u e l , 1 3
. .

Fost e r, Re v oe l , corr e spon de n ce J .

Graf t on , M ass , U n ive rsal ists in , in

.

w i t h Re v Hos e a B a ll ou , 5 2 0
.
. .

Foste r Re v J oh n , 5 36 1 7 92 , 394 .

G
. .

fi
,

Fra n c is , D r l v , on D r Wil l iam J re e n e , G e n N ath a n ie l , c e rt i e s t o

.

y
. . . .

Pit t S m it h , 2 7 2 n ; on Wil lia m ,

.
M r M u rra ’s st a n d in g in t he Ar
.

[ El ih u ] a l me r, 306P my , 1 5 0 .

y
Gridl e , Ge n Rich ard, 339 ; be come s
.

k
Fra n l in B e n a mi n , h is f amil U n i j y .

y
.

v e rsa lis t s, 3 1 4 ; h is ow n opin ion , a U n ive rs a l ist , 340 : big ot r a g a in st

3 14 .
h im, 341 h is l a bors in t h e Re v ol u
Fre e m a n , Re v . Dr .
, l e tt e r to Re v . t ion , 3 40 ; h is mon u me n t ,
 5 48 IN DE X .

G u rl e y , Rev . John A . an d the Da n Joh n son , Re v S te ph e n , w rite s a g ai n s t

.

k e rs , 40 . Re v. Dr C h au n cy , 9 1 . .

Jon e s, Re v H G , h is accou n t of t he
. . .

de al in g s of t h e B a ptist c hu rc h w it h
H AL E , M oses, l e tt e r to Rev E . B al Re v El han a n Win c he ste r, 2 39 ; on
.

lou , 50 8 . t h e Un i ve rsal ist defe ct ion amon g

Ha le , Re v E E n oti ce of Re v . . . t h e B apt ist s , 309 .

Ge org e Ric hard s , 2 92 . J on e s, Re v T homas , 45 8 . .

Ha ll , Dan ie l , 26 1 . J u s tice , satisf act ion of , 417 .

Ha m, John , disow n e d by the D u n

k
e rs f or preachi n g n o f u t u re p u n
i s h me n t , 3 8 . K E ND RI C K , Re v Arie l , ag ain s t U n i
.

k
H ardw ic , M ass , U n ive rsal ism in , . v e rsa lism , 5 05 .

i n 1 7 9 2, 39 4 . K e n tu c k y , e ar l y Un ive r salis ts in ,
Ha rt f ord Cou n t , M ar lan d, Un iv e r y y
en l i st s in , org an i e in 1 7 93, 399 z . K idw e ll , Re v J . .
,
on e ditor of T he
k
Haw i n s Re v Willi a m, 848
. . . Lamp of Li be rt , ” 418 y .

z
Ha ard, Ebe n e e r, 96 z . K i n gsb u r , C ol y os e ph, 42 1 , 42 6 ; . J
k
Hop in s, Re v S a mu e l , a ttac s Dr . k . his accou n t of Re v N oah M u rra v , .

C hau n cy ’s pamp h l e t , 87 . 25 8 .

H ow e , Re v e rl e , 1 04 . P y . K y
in g sbu r , Re v M ra, 427 . y .

H u be r, S amu e l , t e ac h e s U n iversa l K yJ
i n n e , ose p h , E sq 427 ; c hal l e n g e s .

ism , 8 . Re v . N oah M u r ra an d is c on y
Hu n t in gt on , Re v D r ose ph , 97 ; his . . J v e rte d, 42 0 .

“
C a l vin ism I mprov e d, ” 98 , 47 7 . K y
irb , Empson , a n e l der i n th e N e w
H u n tin g ton , Wi l liam , attac s Un i k Han ov e r c h u rch , 39 9 .

v e rsa lis m, 50 5 .

H u n toon , Dan ie l T V on Ge n Rich . . .

ard G ri dle , 342 , n y . LAM P or LI B E RT Y, T H E , ” 41 7 .

y k
H mn B oo s, Rel l ’s, re pu bl ish e d by
-
y Lan e , D e acon Ol i v e r W , c on d u c t s .

M r M u rra , 1 6 3 ; E l ha na n Win
. y t he i n sta l l at ion se rv ice of M r M u r .

’
c h e st e r s , 2 5 6 ; hil ade l ph ia Con P ray at B os ton , 42 0 .

v e n t ion s, 3 5 1 ; B ost on , 382 ; Ed

’
Lat h e , Re v Z
e ph a n iah 2 5 8
.
,
.

w ard M itc he l l s, 46 8
'
. La t hrop, Re v D r ohn , 342 . . J .

La w , l Vil l ia m, 1 1 .

Le ad, ane , 1 1 J .

IM LA Y Will iam
, E u g e n e , 334 ; a p Loll ards, T h e , Un i ve rsal ist s, 7 .

poin te d by t he hil ade l phia Con P

v e n t ion in 17 90 t o d ra f t an Add re s s

P
t o re side n t Washin g t on , 2 97 .

I n corporat ion of t h e I n de pe n de n t M AN N , Re v ac ob, 183 . J .

C h ri s ti an C hu rch i n G lou ce ster, y

M e rse , Cou n t D e , his comme n tar y
344 .
on t h e Apoca l pse , 30 y .

I srae l, I srael , 444 . M ars hall , Ch ris top h er. 40 6, 408 .

M as sac hu se t t s l e g is latu re in de mn i
fl e s M r M u rra f rom pe n a l t ie s f or
. y
JA FFRE Y , N . H .
, u n it e s with Rich ill e g al mar riag e s, 2 83 .

m on d, N H , a n d Warw ic , M ass ,
. . k . M a t h er, Re v S a m u e l attac s Re v
. . k .

i n f ormi n g a g e n e ra l soci e t , 1 7 1 y .
Dr C h au n cy ’s pa mph le t , 87
.

J e ff e rs on , T homas , h e a rs Re v M r . . y
M a xc , Re v J on a t han , se rmon on
.

M u r ra yp re ach , 5 12 . deat h of Re v D r M an n in g , 35 4 . . .
 INDE X .
5 49

M a x imu s th e
, Gre e C on f e ssor , k t e r, 1 41 ; g ain s his s u it ag a i n s t t h e
t a u g h t U n iv e rs al ism, 7 P G
'

. Firs t a r ish in l ou ce s te r, 1 94 ,
y
M a h e w , Re v D r J on a t h an , 93 . . .
g iv e s h a l f his t ime to t he B ost on
M c Al l i ste rs t ow n , Pa , de ba t e on U n i . soci e t , y
26 8 ; h e a rs M r Re ll . y
v e rsa lism i n 1 7 9 2 , 3 98 .
pre ach , an d be come s a U n i ve rsa l
M c Lea n , Re v D u n c a n , 289 ; h is l a
. i st , 1 1 5 ; his e a rl re l ig iou s t ra i n y
bors a n d c om pe n sa t ion i n 1 7 96 , 46 0 . i n g , 10 5 ; his v o a g e t o Ame rica , y
M e a d, Re v S amu e l , 104 ; f e ll ow
.
123 ; his t h e ol og , 1 5 1 ; h is dis y
sh i p pe d , 5 36 . t in c t ion be t w e e n s a l va t i on a n d re
M e n of Un de rs ta n din g , ” be l ie ve rs d e mp t i on , 1 5 9 ; his s ta n d i n g i n t h e
i n U n ive rsa l ism, 7 . ar m y , 1 5 0 ; h is sec on d m a rria g e ,
M il f ord, M as s , U n iv e rsa list s of , . 2 84, n .
; h is opin i on of Re v E . .

a dop t C h a r te r of C ompa c t, 20 9 ; Win c he st e r s pre ac h in g , 2 5 3 ; h i s

’

c on dit ion of, i n 1 7 9 2 3 9 4 ,

.
ad mir at i on of t he a b i l it i e s of Re v .

M itc h e l l , Re v E dw ard, 47 2 ; on U n i
. D a v id E v a n s, 26 0 ; h i s opi n ion of
ve r sa li st s oc ie t y
i n N e w Yor k , 464 . Re v G e org e Ric h a rds , 2 90 ; h is
.

M oravian s, T h e , Un iv e rs a l ism a mon g , preac h in g i n Con n e c t ic u t i n 1 7 9 0 ,

42 .
335 ; his pa mph l e t on f ormi n g a
j
M oore , M a or J a me s , 40 0 ; on f u t u re C h ris t ia n c h u rch , a n d on div e rse
p u n i s hm e n t , 3 49, 3 89 . v ie w s a mon g
U n iv e r sa l is t s, 3 5 9 ;
P
M ii l l e r, e te r, 3 6 . h is v ie w s of B a p t ism a n d t h e Lord ' s
y
M u rra , M rs J u dit h , 2 84, n ; h e r l e t
. . S u ppe r, 30 2 , 3 6 3 ; h is pa mphl e t on
P
t e r f rom hi l a de l phi a , 3 1 4 ; m a e s k U n ive rsa l i sm Vi n dica t e d 48 1 ; .

a sta t e me n t of h e r h u s b a n d s v ie w s, h is e x pos it ion of 1 C or x v 2 8, 5 1 0

‘
. .

1 5 9 ; oppose s Re v Hose a B a l l ou s .
‘
y
his in t imac w i t h pol it ic al c ha rac
v ie w s, 5 0 8 . t e rs i n 1 7 99, 5 1 1 ; h is i t i n e ra n t
y
M u rra , Re v oh n , a M e t hodist
. J l a bors , 140 , 1 96 , 43 1 ; is e x c om
c la ss l e a de r an d pre a c h e r, 1 0 6 ; a
-
p m u n ica t e d f rom t he ta be rn acle ,
poi n t e d by t h e h i l ade l ph ia C onP 1 1 9 ; i n te rv ie w w it h T homa s Pot
ve n t ion in 1 7 90 to dra f t an a ddre ss t e r, 1 2 3 ; is c h a rg e d b y Re v D r .
.

to Pre s ide n t Wash in g t on , 2 97 ; a t S t il e s w it h de n i n g hi s be l ie f in y

t he Ass oc ia t ion a t O x f ord, 20 6 ; a t U n iv e rsa l ism, 146 ; is brou g h t be
P h il ade l p hia i n 17 90 , 3 1 4 ; ca l l e d f ore t h e C ommi t t e e oi S af e t of y
h im se l f a T ri n ita ri an , bu t w a s Gl ou ce st e r, an d w a rn e d t o l e av e
r e a ll y a S ab e l li an , 308 ; c omme n c e s t ow n , 1 5 0 ; is pr ose c u t e d f or i l le
su i t ag a in st t he Fi rs t a r is h in P g a l ma rriag e s, 2 78 ; is re orda in e d -
,

G l ou c e ste r 182 ; c on c e al s h i s v ie w s
,
2 85 ; is i mport u n e d t o mov e to
in h is fi rs t in Ame r ic a ,
se rm on s P
hil ade l ph ia 288, 31 4 ; i n t e r vi e w s
,

1 42 ; a l s o w hil e v isit i n g E n g l a n d , w it h Dr Ru sh . 31 5 , 329 : u s t i

2 7 9 ; de a t h of h is rst w ife , 1 2 0 ;
de c l a re s t h at Re v John T l e r is
y
t h e on l m in is t e r i n s mpath w it h
h is v ie w s , 2 7 6 ; difii c u l ty i n f ortn
i n g a c h u rc h i n B ost on , 30 7 ; e n t e rs
. j
fi fie s h is c on ce a l me n t of h is se n
. y t ime n t s , 1 44 ; l as t v is it t o Good
y y k
Lu c , a n d s e r mon t h e re , 1 9 7 ; l e t
t e r t o Ga ma l ie l Re n ol ds, 26 1 : l e t y
t e r t o Re v Robe rt Re ddin g on Re v
. .

t h e a rm y
a s c h apl a in , 1 47 ; e st i .
'
y
M r M a x e s se rmon , 3 5 4 ; l e tte r
m at ion i n w h ic h h e w as h e ld by t o t h e s a me on s e c re t U n i v e rs a l
y
M r Re ll , 1 5 3 ; n ds ma n e rrors
. fi y is m in B oston , 5 00 ; l e tt e r t o Re v .

amon g U n iv e rsa li sts in C on n e cti H B al lou , 5 06 ; ma e s t he ao

. k
c u t , 337 ; rs t fi
n ow l e dg e of U n i k q u a in t a n c e of Re v El ha n an Win .

ve rs a l i s m , 1 0 6 ; rs t se rm on in fi c h e s te r , 2 5 1 ; mov e s t o B ost on , 41 9 ;

Am e rica , 1 3 3 ; rs t v is t to Glou ce s fi i mode rator of N E C on ve n t ion in . .

550 X
I NDE .

1 795 , 444 ; Re v D r Cha u n

n ot ice s . .
g a n izat ion of U n i ve rsa l is ts in , 2 04 ;
c y s pa m ph l e t , 90 ; ob t a in s re l ie f a ssoc ia t ion f or me d i n , 2 0 5 c h a rt e r
’

for t he s u ff e rin g poor i n Gl ouc e s of c om pac t a dopt e d , 2 0 7 ; s t a t e of

t e r , 148 ; on i n v it in g C h rist ia n s al l U n i ve rsa l is m i n , i n 1 7 92 , 3 94 .

t o t he c on ve n t ion in hi la de l phia . P
32 5 ; on S ta t ist ics of Un i ve rsa l s m i
in 17 9 1 , 346 ; on sa l ar a n d c ost of y PA I N E, Re v Ebe n e
. 5 42 z e r, .

i
l v in g in 1 7 9 6 , 45 9 ; pre ac he s in P lma e r, El ih u , de n ie d f e l low ship by
N e w Yor , 1 3 7 ; p u bl is he s a pam
k i
t he U n i ve rsa l st s , 30 4 ; pre ac he s

p h l e t on
“
A p o s t oli c k re ac hi ng ,
"
P f or t he “ Un i ve rsal Soci e t ” of y
1 40 ; p u bl is he s a n e di t on o f R e l l
‘
s i y de is t s, 30 5 ; become s a de ist , 306 .

y
H m n s . 16 3 ; pe t t ion s to t h e i P al m e r , Re v . J
E , on Re v Wi l l ia m
. . .

M a ssac h u s e t t s l e g isl a t u re f or re Fare w e l l, 35 3 , 11 .

l ie f . 280 ; pre ac h e s a t B ac h e l o r
’
s P k ar , Re v . M ose s , ch a ll en ges Re v .

Ha l l , 32 9 ; re ads a n d c rit ic ise s a

"
y
N oa h M u rra t o a discu ssion a n d
re vie w of
“
Re l l ’s Un ion , " 1 09 ; y is con v e rt e d , 420 ; h is c h a ra c te r
re a ds t he
“
Un ion , " 1 12 ; re pl ie s a n d m in ist r , 42 1 y .

to Re v D r S ti le s , a n d t o
. .
“
An P k
a r e r , N oa h , b e come s a p re a c h e r ,

An sw e r to a n A pp e a l , ” 1 9 0 ; re lie f 1 64 ; dea t h of , 2 7 3 ; M r M u rra ' s . y

g ra n te d by t h e l e g is l a tu re , 283 ; re t ri bu t e to, 2 7 5 .

t u rn s to Ame r ica . 284 ; s e c re t of Pe arc e , Ca pt J ose ph , 5 1 5

. .

h is a dhe re n ts in G l ou c e ste r, 19 5 ; Pe n n , Wil l iam, a mon

g t he M e n n on
s u g g e s ts a y
e a rl y
me e t in g in a s so ite s in Holl an d, 34 .

c ia t ion , 196 ; t ri bu te t o T homa s Pe te rs , Re v S a m u e l , 82

. .

P ot t e r, 2 0 1 ; t ribu t e t o N oa h Pa r Pe te rse n , J
oh n Wi lli a m , 8 ; h is i a
k e r, 2 7 5 ; v is it s P
h il a de l phia a n d ve st me n t s w it h a v ie w of e mi

N e w Y or , 2 7 0 ; v isi ts Eng l a n d,
k g rat in g t o A me rica , 3 7 .

2 7 8 ; v is i t s P
re side n t W s hin g ton
a Pe t e rsh a m, M ass , U n ive rsa l is t s in ,
.

a n d V ic e -
P
re s ide n t Ada ms , 33 2 . i n 1 7 9 2 , 394 .

y
M u rra , Re v N oa h, 2 5 8 , 2 68, 338,
. Pe t it pie rre , Fe rdin an d Oliv e r, 439 .

42 0 ; is c ha l le n g e d t o a dis c u ss ion
~

Ph il a de l phia U n i v e rsa l is t C on v e n
by Re v M ose s a rk , 420
. P . t ion , fi
rst s e s sion of , i n 1 7 90 , 29 6 ;

ar t ic l e s of f a i t h a n d pl an of ch u rc h

PS H I RE U n ive rsal is t s i n , g ove rn me n t a dop t e d by , 2 98 ; r e

N a w H AM
v ision of art ic l e s an d pl an b D r
,
y .

i n 1 7 9 2 , 39 4 .
j
B e n am in Ru sh , 30 3 ; re comme n
N e w Ha n ov e r, N J , Un i ve rsalis t . .

da t ion on t h e i n stru ct ion of ch il

c h u rc h i n , 39 9 ; c on di t ion of i n
dre n , 300 ; re comme n da t ion on
17 9 5 , 447 ; Fre e Re l igi ou s I n q u ir
y
sl av e r , 30 1 ; on h mn b oo , 3 5 1 y k
y
-

in g S oc i e t in , 402 .
on t h e q
u e s t ion of f u t u re p u n is h
k y
N e w Yor C it , U n iv e rsa l ists of , in
me n t , 3 49 ; se ssion of 1 7 91 , 348 ;
,

17 87 , u rg e M r M u rra t o r e s ide
. y 7 9 2 , 382 , 1 7 9 4, 43 4 ; 1 7 9 5 , 444 ;
t h e re , 27 0 ; org an i a t i on i n 1 7 92 , z 1 7 9 6 , 45 8 ; 1 7 9 7 , 481, 5 05 ; 1 7 9 8,
39 5
5 0 4 ; 17 9 9 . 5 15
.

N e w Y or S ta te , Un l ve rsa l ists in , in
k .

17 92 , 3 9 4
P h i l a de l p hia Un iv e rsa l ist s, org a n i e z
B
"
i n 1 7 84 as U n i ve rsal t i t
.
a p s s
Nort on , P
rof , p u b l ishe s the “ Ge n
.

2 5 5 ; iss u e a c all f or a con v e n t ion .

,

e r a l R po
e s t or ,
"
i 45 3 y .

2 9 4 ; bu i l d a n e w h ou s e of w ors hip
439 : con dit ion of, in 1 7 9 5 , 446
O x r on n
‘
. M ass , D r I sa ac Dav is
. . 17 96 . 45 8 .

t e ac he s Un iv e rsalism in , 1 6 6 ; or P ik e Ru n , Pe n n ., l e t t e r t o Un iv e rsal"
 INDE X . 55 1

ist s in , 389 ; We ste rn c on v e n t ion 1 68 ; at th e assoc iat ion a t Ox

org a n i e d i n , 437z . f ord , 2 0 6 ; be come s a Un iv e rsa l is t
y
Pil ls bu r , Re v Edmu n d, 5 36 . .
p re ac h e r, 1 7 1 ; h is t h e ol og , 1 7 2 , y
Pol l a rd, Re v M r , 3 48 . . . 338 ; his ordina t ion , 1 7 2 ; l e tt e r on
Potte r, T h omas, fi
rs t i n t e rv ie w w it h t h e art ic l e s of fa i t h , 348 .

Re v J ohn M u rra , 1 23 ; bu ilds a

. y Richa rds , Re v Ge org e , 2 90 : his l it.

me e t in g-hou se , 12 6 ; i n s is ts th a t c ra r yab il it ie s , 29 1 ; ordi n at i on of

M r M u rra mu s t pre ac h , 12 7 ; be
. y 292 ; on M r M u rra ’s l e av in g Ca pe
. y
qu e ath s his me e ti n g h ou se t o M r An n , 41 9 ; on c om pe n s a t ion of
- .

y
M u rra , 1 97 ; f ra u d u l e n t se t t l e mi n ist e rs, 46 0 ; t e ac he s sc hool , 46 1 .

m e n t of th e e sta te , a n d t h e m e e t Ric h ards on , Sa m u e l , 1 1 .

in g h ou se sol d , 202 ; pov e rt

-
an d y Ric h mon d, N H u n ite s w it h J a f.

d ea t h of h is w idow , 2 0 3 ; M r M u r . y
f re , N H , a n d Warw ic , M as s ,
. . k .

ra
’
y
s t ri bu te t o, 20 1 . i n f or min g a g e n e ra l s oc ie t , 1 7 1 y .

P y
re s b t e r i a n A sse mb l an d S n od y y Rome , N Y, re pu blicat ion of M r
. .
-
.

k
ta e a c t i on ag a i n st U n i v e rsa li sm , M u rr a v s pa m ph l e t in , in 1 7 99, 48 1
'
.

10 1 . j
Ru sh , B e n a m in , M D , a n a v ow e d . .

P y
ri est l e , Re v D r Jose p h , a ssist s t h e
. . U n ive rsa list , 31 5 , 322 ; his l e a rn
P
hil a de l ph ia U n i ve rs a l is ts i n bu ild i n g an d pos it ion , 3 1 6 ; i n t e r v ie w s
in g t h e ir h ou se of w ors h p, 43 9 ;
. i w i t h M r M u rr a , 32 9 ; l e t t e rs t o
. y
a v ow s his b e l ie f in U n ive r sa l ism, Re v E Win c he s te r, 323 ; t e mpe r
. .

47 3 . a n ce w ri t i n g s an d e ff or t s , 3 17 re

Propos e d ra e r B oo ,
"
P y U n ive r -
k v ise s t he a r ticl e s of f a it h a n d pl a n

s a l i sm of t h e , 5 7 . of c h u rch g ov e rn me n t f or t h e hil P
Prov ide n ce U n i ve rs ali sts, The , a d e l ph ia C on ve n t ion , 30 3 ; s e e s t o k
2 10 . u n it e a l l C h ri st ian s i n on e c on v e n

t ion , 3 24 .

Ra ms a y , An dre w M ich a e l , 2 38, n .

Ra p p , Ge org e , 3 2 . V T
S AL A I O N an d re stora ti on , S ir
Ra ppist s, e s ta bl is h me n t of t h e , i n G e org e S t on e h ou s e ’s dist in ct ion
A me rica , 3 2 . be t we e n , 1 2 .

Ra n oyl d ,
A bbot of S t M art in
’
s, a . S a rg e n t , E pe s, au t h or of “ An Ap
U n i v e rs a list , 7 .
p ea l t o t h e p u b li c ,
”
1 87 .

y
Re l l , Re v Ja me s, 1 1 ; p re ac h e s a
. j
S a r e n t , Re v Abe l , 384, 41 7 ; c om
.

se rm on w hic h con v e rt s oh n M u r J ba ts t h e doct rin e s of f u t u re p u n

ra y , 1 1 5 ; b e f rie n ds M r M u rra . y i sh me n t , v ica riou s pu n is h m e n t , a n d
a n d u rg e s h im to p re ac h , 12 1 ; a sa t is f ac ti on of u stice , j
41 2 , 41 4,
cop y
of h is
“
U n i on ” i n Glou ce s 41 6 ; h is l a bors an d c om pe n s a t ion ,
te r, 141 ; h is t h e ol og , 1 5 1 ; h is e st i y 46 0 ; p u b l is h e s
“
Q u e st ion s t o
m a te oi Re v Joh n M u rra , 1 5 3 ; . y T e ac he rs in I s rae l , " 396 ; p u blish e s
y
h is re p l t o Rich ard C oppin , 3 81 . T he F e r e U n i v e rsa l M ag a i n e ,
"
z
yJ
Re l l , a me s an d oh n , a n e dit ion of J 40 1 ; proposal s f or p u blish in g th e
t h e ir h m n b y
oo pu blish e d b y Mr
-
k . se con d v ol u me , 41 7 .

M u rra y ,
163 . S ay , T homas , 3 3 .

Re u z [W ig h t r or Rig h ts ], Re v M a t .
“
Sc ie n ce of S a n ct i t , Th e , ” by Re v y .

t h e w , 43 . T hos Fe s se n de n , 102
. .

y
Re n ol ds . Ga mal ie l , 26 1 . Sc ot t , M rs J u lia H , 42 7
. . .

Rhode I sl a n d , U n i v e rsal ist s in , i n Se a g ra v e , Re v Art i s, 2 89 ; cl e rk of t he

.

1 7 92 , 39 4 .
P h il a de l phia C on v e n t ion in 1 7 90 ,
Ric h , Re v . C a l e b, a u t obiog raph y of ,
2 96 ; on f ree w il l an d de c re e s, 386
- .
.
‘

552 I N DE X .

S ee d of th e Woman , T h e , ” M r
.
. D r Cha u n cy ’s p amphl e t , 87
. .

Win che ste r’s se rmon on , 2 37 . T h omas, Re v Abe l C , al l us ion s to, . .

S e rg e n t, Abe l M , a n d T h e La mp . an d q
u ot a t i on s f rom his Ce n t u r y
of Li b e rt ,
”
4 18 y . of Un iv e rsa lism, ” 40 , 2 5 5 2 9 3 , ,

S e w al l , J on at h an M it c h e l l , 2 7 3 ; h is 3 10 , 43 9 .

poe t ic g if ts , 2 7 4
'
. T it us Re v A n son , w r it e s an a cc ou n t
. .

S h a ron , C on n , Un ive r sa l ist c h u rc h

. of D r I s aa c Dav i s , 1 66
. .

in , in 1 7 94 ; 438 . T ow n se n d, S hipp ie , an i n t e llig e n t an d

S he pa rd, Re v S a m u e l , a t t ac s Un i
. k act ive l a ma n , 2 65 : p u b y l is hes a
ve rsa l is m, 5 0 6 . c a t e ch is m , 43 2 .

S hil oh , N J , U n i ve rs al i st c hu rch in ,
. . T u rn e r, Re v Ed w ard . 5 3 7 ; on U n i.

3 5 1 ; con dit ion of , i n 1 7 9 5 , 446 . t a r ia n U n iv e rs a l i sts, 449 .

y
S ib ll in e O rac l e s , U n iv e rs a l is m y
T l e r, Re v J ohn , 7 0 , 2 60 , 2 6 8 ; h is
.

ta u g h t i n , 4 . k
boo , 7 0 ; l e tt e r t o Re v N oah Pa r .

P
S ie g vol c k , a u l [Ge org e K l e in -N ic o k e r 7 1 ; s mpat h w ith M r M u r y y .

l a i ], 9 ; h i s
. Ev e rl as t in g G os pe l r ay 8 v ie w s, 2 7 6 .

"p u b l ishe d in G e rma n t ow n , 28 ; ih

fl u e n ce of h is boo on El ha na n k
Win che ste r , 2 1 9—2 29 . e r A RrA N
'

polic y , t imidit y of , 45 1 ,
S ma l l e , Re v Jy . se r oh n , p u bl ish e s 45 3 .

mon s a g a in s t U n iv e rsa l ism , 2 6 8 . U n ita ria n se c t , c a u s es of its . e xi st

S mit h , Re v D r Wil lia m, 5 7
. . . e n c e,45 3 .

S mi th, Wi ll ia m i tt , M D , pu b P . . U n it a ria n U n iv e rsal ism, 448, 45 5 .

“
l i sh e s The U n ive r sa list , " 2 7 1 ; U n itarian U n i v e rs a list cre e d, 401 .

pu p il of D r You n g , 42 8 . . U n ive rsal B a pt ists , t he soc ie t of in y

S ol omon , B ishop of B as s orah , a U n i Phi la de l ph ia , 2 55 ; m isf ort u n e t o,
v e rsa l is t , 7 . on t h e re mova l of M r Wi n ch e st e r , .

S te ph e n s, Re v ose ph , 434 ; p u b . J 2 69 .

lish e s “ T he G re at Wor sh op, k Un iv ersal is m, ac t ion t a e n ag ain st k

435 . by t h e re sb t e r ianP S n od a n d y y
S t ile s, Re v D r E ra , ch a rg e s M r
. . z . Asse mbl , 1 0 1 ; act iv e l y p rom u l y
y
M u r ra w it h de n in g h is be lie f i n y g ate d by Re v D a v id Ev an s , 2 5 9 ; .

U n i ve rs a lism, 1 46 ; l e t t e r a g a in st a dv oca te d b y t h e Ra ppist s, 32 ; a s

M r M u rra , 1 88
. y . ta u g h t by C a l e b Ric h , 1 7 2 ; C l e m
S til l man , Re v D r S a m u e l , 239 . . . e n s an d O r ig e n , 4 ; D iodoru s , 4
S t on e h ou se S ir Ge or g e , 1 2 , 2 2 9 , n
, . D r G e org e D e B e n n e v ill e , 24 : Ri
.

S t re e t e r, Re v Ada m s , 1 66 ; a t t he
. h an an Wi nch e s t e r, 247 J oh n M u i ~

Assoc ia t ion i n O x f ord, 2 0 6 . ray , 1 5 1 , 3 5 9 ; S am u e l G or t on , 1 3 ;

S t re e te r, Re v Ru ss e l l , de sc ribe s t h e
. y
S ir He n r Va n e , 1 9 ; T h e odore of
y
t he ol og of Re v C a l e bRic h , 1 7 2 . . M op su e st ia , 4 ; t h e C on g re g a tion
S t re et e r, Re v e bu l on , 35 2 ,
. 45 6 ; Z a l ist s, 83 ; t h e D u n e r s , 35 ; t h e k
mode ra tor of t h e N e w E n g l a n d Episcopal ian s, 43 ; t he Gn ost ic s, 4 ;
Con ve n tion , 17 96 , 45 6 ; on diff e r t h e M ora v ia n s , 42 ; t h e S ib llin e y
c a c e s i n opin ion , 45 7 . O racl e s , 4 ; brou g ht t o A me rica
S tron g , Re v Nat h an , w rite s ag ain st
. by t h e M st ics , 1 3 ; con de m n e d y
U n iv e rsa l ism, 47 8 . J
by u s t in ia n , 5 ; i n th e Au g sbu rg
S u mn e r, Re v C l e me n t , 2 5 7 . . C on f e ssion , 8 ; in t he 42 a rticl e s , in
1 5 5 2 , a n d by t he a r l ia me n t of P
1 648, 1 0 , 1 1 ; con t rov e rs ie s on i n
T a n r , "Re v , I10 4
- . . t he i 7 t h a n d 18t h c e n t u rie s , 9 ;
T hache r, Re v Pe te r, . a t ta c k s Re v . de f e n de rs of a t t he t i me of t h e
 I ND EX . 5 53

Re f orma t ion , 8 ; de ba t e on , in M c min ist e rs in t he bou n ds of , in 180 0 ,

All is te r’s tow n Pa , in 1 7 92 , 392 :
, . 5 42 .
[For oth e r U n iv ersa l ist c on ‘

diff e re n t t he orie s of , as st ate d by v e n tion s s e e P

h il ade l phia Con v e n
. y
M r M urra , 36 4, 45 7 ; e arl ie st n o . t ion , an d We st e rn Con v e n t ion ] .

t ic e s of in C h ris t ia n histor , 4 ; y
e a rl y
be l ie ve rs i n Gl ou ce ste r, 1 41
ga i n s of , in 1 7 9 1 , 348, 3 5 1 ; g e n VANE Sir He n r y 1 1 19
, , , .

e ra l his tories of , 1 ; how t h e fi rs t Ve rmon t U n iv e rsal ists i n

, , in 1 7 92 ,
bel ie v e rs i n w e re d e s ig n at e d, 3 3 95 .

l e g al diffi cu l t ie s of be lie v e rs in ,
a t G l ou c e st e r, M as s , an d K in g .

w ood, N J , 1 81 , 39 5 ;
. . P
rie st l e , D r y .
WA RWI C K ,
U n iv e rsal ists in
M ass .
, .

J ose ph , av ow s hi s be l ie f in , 47 3 adopt. c h a rt e r of compact , 2 09

prog re ss of , in P
e n n s l van ia , i n y adopt art i c l e s of f a it h , 348 ; con di
1 7 7 4, 28 ; prog re s s of , i n 1 79 2 , t ion of , i n 1 7 92 , 39 4 ; u n ite w it h
3 82 ; in 1 7 9 3, 41 8 ; sec re tl hel d y Richmon d a n d a ff re , N H , in J y . .

i n B ost on , in 1 7 97 , 5 0 1 ; some f or min g a g e n e ral soc ie t 17 1 y ,

.

of t h e pl ace s w h e re it w as be Washin g ton , e org e , on Ch ris t ian G

li e ve d in 1 7 7 6 , 1 64 ; spre a d of , in h ope , 332 ; Addre ss of t h e hil a P
t h e ea rl yc h urc h , 6 ; s tat e of , i n I de l phia C on v e n t ion t o. 338 ; his
N e w En g la n d an d N e w Y or , in k re p l , 334 y .

1 79 2 , 39 2 ; ta u g h t i n t h e earli es t Wate rman , Ru f u s , on e of T he

t h e ol og ical sc hool s, 5 ; t race s of , i n P
rov ide n ce U n iv ersa list s,
”
212 .

k
t h e da r ag e s, 7 We l ls, M r , on e x t inction of t he .

y
.

U n i v e rsal ism an d Re st orat ion , dis e a rl U n it aria n move me n t , 45 1

ti n cti on be t w e e n by t h e D u n e rs , k j fi
u st i e s t h e t i mid polic 45 1 y . .

38 Weste rn C on v e n tion of Un ive rsal

z
.

U n i v e rs al ism i n V
d i ca t e d ”
pa m
q
is ts, re u e st f or org an i at ion of ,

p h l e t b y M r M urra
.
y , 48 1
,

. 3 8 2 ; orga n i e d in 1 7 93, 437 z .

U n iv e rs ali st , e a rli e s t t h eol og ical We th e rill , Sam u e l , p re ache s ag a ins t

me a n in g of t h e na me , 2 ; de n ot e s M M r u. rr a
’
y
s v i e w s, 331 .

a b e l ie v e r in t h e sa l v at ion of al l
White , Re v Hu g h , 400 . .

se u l s, 3 .
W hi 5 t e, J
e re m , 1 1 y .

U n iv e rs alist As soc ia t ion in 17 85 , call Whit in g , Re v

S a m u e l , 1 04
. .

i ss u ed f or, 20 4 ; organ i e d at Ox z W
h itt e more , Sa mu e l , au t h or of An
f C m s w e r t o a n A pp e a l "
1 88
ford , M as s , 20 ; 4 C h t o o
.
a r e r ,

W
.

m m h i t t e more , R ev Th omas , D D
p a ct adopt e d by . 2 0 7; n a e re c o . . .

me n de d t o t h e soc ie t ie s by , 2 06 h is h ist or of y
U n ive r sal ism , 2
h i v e s an a c c ou n t of D r I sa ac
se ss i on of 1 8
7 7 h l t t t w g
.

t e as a as

D av i s . 165 ; on Re v D av id B a ll ou
h e l d , 26 9
.

W P
.

E 29 4 o i l li am i t t S mith , M D
U n iv e rs al ist Con v e nt ion i n N e w n g ; n

l an d, re qu est f o r t h e o r g a n i a tzio n 27 2 ; o n Re v D r S t r
.o n g
’
s w or . k
n ive rsa l is m , 47 8
of , 3 82 ; org an i ed z i n 17 9 3 , 4 18 ; a g a i n s t U
W
.

se ss ion of 1 7 9 4, 431 ; 17 9 5 , 44 4 ;
i W i l l i s ,
R e v L e mu e l , on Re v
.
il .

48 0 17 9 8 5 0 5 l ia m F are w e l l , 3 5 3 , n
1 7 9 6 , 45 6 ; 17 9 7 ,
.

; ,

17 99 , 5 12 ; 1 80 0 , 5 3 5 , 5 41 ; a d o p t s W i n c h e s t e r,
R ev E l h anan , a B a p .

r , 2 18 ; a t t h e Associa
t he P h ilade l ph ia p l a t f orm o f f a i t h t i s t p re a ch e

m t t i o n in O x f ord , 2 06 ; at Hart f or d ,
an d pl an of ch u rc h g o ve rn e n ,

C 46 2 a t t h e ordin a t ion of
432 ; e arl v at t it u de on t h e s u b ec tj o n n ,
.
;
R H o se a B a l l ou , 43 3 ; c orre
of te mpe ran c e , 5 42 ; I e g is a l te s o n e v .

f e ll ow sh ip an d o r d i n a t io n ,
5 36 1 -
s p o n d e n ce w it h Dr B e n a m in . j
5 54 I NDE X .

Ru sh, 32 3 ; g oe s to En g l a n d , 26 9 ; 42 9 ; se rmon on T he Ou tc ast s

h is l e arn i ng , 2 17 ; his fi rst U n i ve r C omf ort e d , " 2 88 ; trou bl es w it h t h e
sal ist se rmon , 2 37 ; h is f r ie n d s a t B a pt is t ch u r c h i n hi lade l phia, P
te mpt to bu ild a me e tin g h ou s e i n-
2 31 ; v isit s D r e org e De B e n n e . G
P h ilade l phia, bu t f ail , a n d p u r 233 ; w ri t e s ag ai n st
vil l e , P ain e s
’

M L d ”
g , 2 5 4, 2 5 6 ; Ag e of Re as on ," 430
’
h
c ase as o n s o e .

y
h is t he olog , 2 47 ; h ow he w a s Win ch es te r, Re v M ose s, 2 52 .

brou g h t to t he be l ie f of U n ive rsal Wi n sta n l e y Ge rard 1 1 , ,

.

ism, 2 1 9 ; in c ide n ts in h is l if e , Wool f Fa t he r a D u n ke r pre ach e r 4 l

, , ,
.

2 13 ; l a bors i n Phil a de l p hia an d Wool e y Re v M i l e s T 5 37

,
. .
,
.

N e w Y or , 447 , 46 1 ; l a st s e r mon
k Wort h Re v Wil l iam 3 11 ; mode ra
,
.
,

a n d dea th , 47 9 ; l e t te r t o Z e pha t or of t h e Phil ad e l p hia C on v e n t ion

n ia h An d re w s , 2 1 0 ; l e t te r t o Re v . in 1 7 9 0 , 296 .

Dr S till ma n , 2 39 ; ma es th e ac
. k Wrig h t [Re u or Rig hts] , Re v M at z .

. J
q u ain tan ce of Re v oh n M u rra , y t h e w , 43 .

2 5 1 ; mode rat or of t he N e w En g
l an d Con ve n t ion ia 1 7 94, 43 1 ; or
g a n i ss e th e
“
y
S oc ie t of U n i v e rsa l Y a n c e y Re v Robe rt 46 22 1
,
.
, , .

B aptis ts , ” 2 5 5 ; p u bl ish e s a H mn y You n g Re v Joab 3 52 ; cl e rk of

, .
,
th e
boolc, 2 5 6 ; pre va l e n c e of his v ie w s , N e w En g l a n d Con v e n t ion , in 17 9 4 .

881 ; re t u rn s f rom En g l an d, an d 43 1 ; is a ppoin te d mission ary , 43 3 .

has g reat su cces s in p r eac h in g , You n g , Jose ph , M D , 42 7 . . .

EN D OF V OL . I .

Un i vers it y Press : J oh n Wils on S on , Ca mbri dge .