Transcriber's Note:
Small capitals have been rendered in full capitals. Italics are indicated
by _underscores_.
Apparent typographical errors and inconsistent hyphenation have been
corrected.
Footnote 4 is missing, while Footnotes 5 and 6 identical.
The first line of the text accompanying an illustration comprises the
signature of the person portrayed. Any attributions are reproduced in
following lines.
Chapters XI to XIX comprise biographical notes on Universalist ministers.
These are separated by two spaces.
FIFTY NOTABLE YEARS.
"And I saw that there was an Ocean of Darkness and Death; but an
infinite Ocean of Light and Love flowed over the Ocean of Darkness;
and in that I saw the infinite Love of God."--GEORGE FOX'S JOURNAL.
"Universalism was the evening star of the church as the night of the
dark ages came on, and appeared as the morning star at the dawn of
the Reformation."--THOMAS WHITTEMORE, D. D.
[Illustration: Hosea Ballou.
Painted by H. Pratt.
Engd. by J. Andrews & H. W. Smith.]
FIFTY NOTABLE YEARS
VIEWS OF THE
MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM
_DURING THE LAST HALF-CENTURY_.
WITH
Biographical Sketches.
BY JOHN G. ADAMS, D. D.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS.
BOSTON:
UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE.
1882.
_Copyright, 1882_,
BY UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE.
UNIVERSITY PRESS:
JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
PREFACE.
Every intelligent reader of that expressive line of Longfellow, "Let
the dead past bury its dead," understands that if "the _dead_ past"
may be buried, as it deserves to be, the _living_ past will be
remembered, recorded, celebrated, honored in all time to come. It is
well, always, that we have our eyes open to this fact.
Among the many voices heard in the discussions going on in the
religious world during the last half-century, has been that of
Christian Universalism. It is still speaking more emphatically and
widely than ever. A brief and comprehensive notice of its
manifestations is surely worthy of consideration at the present time.
It is the intent of this volume to keep in sacred remembrance some of
the preachers and defenders of the Gospel of God's impartial grace,
who in times when it was frowned upon and misrepresented in and out of
the churches, had the Christian courage and loyalty to avow and
maintain it. They have made the past not "dead," but gloriously alive
in their faith and works.
In addition to the biographical sketches here given, other kindred
matter of interest to the general reader will be presented, such as
the rise and progress of the Universalist church in America; its
growth in agreement with the genius and civilization of our republic;
its place in the reformatory work of the last fifty years; its present
status; its educational resources and aspects; its definite organized
work; its missionary spirit and intent, with an outlook into the
future.
The reader will understand that the views here taken are from the
standpoint of a New England minister's observation, and do not embrace
particulars which a wider survey might have included.
Furthermore, the author would say, that in the account of ministers
here given, nothing like a complete biographical encyclopædia is
intended; hence, he does not consider himself responsible for what is
not in the volume, but presents it as it is, with a thankful heart
that he is able in this humble effort to vindicate the faithful dead,
and to address the living in behalf of that cause which they honored
and promoted.
J. G. A.
MELROSE HIGHLANDS, November, 1882.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE WORLD'S PROGRESS.
PAGE
The Century just passed.--Last Half-century and Changes in it.--Words
of Rev. Dr. Macleod and Governor Long.--Moral Progress; Hopeful
View.--Enlargement of Religious Thought.--Christianity a Universal
Religion.--Words of Dr. Uhlhorn and Dean Milman. 13
CHAPTER II.
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM.
The Name; what it indicates.--Ancient Universalism.--Dr. E. Beecher's
Testimony.--Statements of Others.--Mr. Lecky and Dr. Shaff.--
Universalism of the Present Time.--In Europe. 19
CHAPTER III.
UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA.
Its Rise with the Republic.--Declaration of Independence.--Its
Christian Signification.--Mr. Bancroft's Statement.--Spirit of the
Constitution of the Republic.--Nature, Unity, Interest, and
Destination of the one Family of Man.--Speech of Dr. T. Whittemore.--
Murray in Faneuil Hall. 23
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY ADVOCACY OF UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA.
Murray and De Benneville.--Universalists as a separate Sect, and
Reasons for it.--Statement of Rev. Dr. J. H. Tuttle.--Murray's
Associates in the Ministry.--Their Characteristics.--Statement of
Rev. Dr. J. Smith Dodge.--Description by Rev. Dr. A. D. Mayo. 30
CHAPTER V.
GROWTH.
Ministers at the beginning of the Present Century.--Statement of Rev.
Dr. Miner.--Educational Aids and Publications.--Murray Centenary
Fund.--Woman's Centenary Aid Association.--Theological Changes.--
Calvinism, Arminianism, Universalism.--Evidences of the Influence of
the Latter in these Changes.--Orthodox Concessions. 36
CHAPTER VI.
UNIVERSALISM, UNITARIANISM, RATIONALISM.
Liberal Christianity.--Indecision of Unitarians respecting the
Salvation of All.--Ballou on Atonement.--Bold Vindication of their
Faith by Universalists.--Tribute to Unitarianism.--Its Defects.--Mr.
Parker's Influence.--Difficulty in answering a Question.--Disavowal
of Mr. Parker's Rationalism by Universalists.--Resolutions of Boston
Association.--Mr. Parker reviewed by Rev. O. A. Skinner and Rev. Dr.
Lothrop.--Discussions respecting Christian Fellowship.--Dr. Ballou's
Article in Universalist Quarterly; never Answered.--Mr. R. W. Emerson
and his Testimony to Universalism. 42
CHAPTER VII.
REFORM MOVEMENTS AND UNIVERSALISM.
Universalist Reform Association.--First Meeting, and Festival
Addresses.--Continuation of Meetings, a Feature of Anniversary
Week.--Anti-Slavery Resolutions.--Festivals in Faneuil Hall.--
Rendition of Burns; Notes of Freedom on the Occasion. 50
CHAPTER VIII.
NEW ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY; UNIVERSALIST PROTEST.
Mr. Garrison and His Associates.--Marlboro Chapel, "Eloquence
dog-cheap there."--The Debaters.--Rev. John Pierpont and his
Remarkable Plea.--Wendell Phillips's Reply to it.--Mobs in Boston and
at Concord, N. H.--Denunciatory Spirit.--Anti-Sabbath Convention.--
N. P. Rogers and the "Herald of Freedom."--Momentum of the
Anti-Slavery Reform.--Political Changes.--War of the Rebellion and
Downfall of Slavery.--Universalist Churches in this Reform.--Protest
of Ministers against Slavery. 58
CHAPTER IX.
REFORMATORY PROGRESS.
The Temperance Reform.--Its Rise and Course in the Past; Its Present
Aspects.--The Peace Question.--War Spirit of the Past contrary to
Christianity.--Growth of the Christian Idea.--Peace Publications.--
Sumner's Oration.--National Disputes can be settled by Arbitration;
Instances.--Victor Hugo's Words.--Treatment of Criminals.--Capital
Punishment.--Position and Work of Woman.--Other Questions. 66
CHAPTER X.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AND ITS WOMEN.
Some of the Gifted Authors.--Women Workers in the Churches, Pulpits,
and Educational Institutions.--Organized Effort.--Woman's Centenary
Aid Association.--Its Work in the Centennial Year.--Tribute from the
"Christian Leader."--Work of the Association since.--Mrs. C. A. Soule
and the Scotland Mission.--Church in Glasgow.--Circulation of Church
Literature. 79
CHAPTER XI.
SKETCHES OF MINISTERS.
Hosea Ballou.--Hosea F. Ballou.--Massena Ballou.--David Ballou.--
Moses Ballou.--Hosea Ballou, D. D.--Levi and W. S. Ballou.--
Edward Turner.--Sebastian Streeter.--Russell Streeter.--Thomas
Jones.--Paul Dean.--Walter Balfour.--John Bisbe.--Thomas Whittemore,
D. D.--Benjamin Whittemore, D. D.--Dolphus Skinner, D. D.--Warren
Skinner.--Otis A. Skinner, D. D.--Samuel P. Skinner.--Joseph
O. Skinner.--Nathaniel Stacy.--Stephen R. Smith.--Sylvanus Cobb,
D. D.--Menzies Rayner. 84
CHAPTER XII.
Thomas F. King.--Thomas Starr King.--Abel C. Thomas.--S. W.
Fuller.--William A. Drew.--I. D. Williamson, D. D.--Kittredge
Haven.--John Boyden.--John Moore.--Henry Bacon.--D. K. Lee, D. D. 129
CHAPTER XIII.
George Bates.--Ezekiel Vose.--Lemuel Willis.--John H. Willis.--
Theodore Clapp.--John A. Gurley.--Enoch M. Pingree.--Thomas
J. Greenwood.--Elbridge Gerry Brooks, D. D.--Ebenezer Fisher,
D. D.--Rev. Seth Stetson.--William Bell.--Calvin Gardner. 152
CHAPTER XIV.
Josiah Gilman.--Emmons Partridge.--William I. Reese.--Albert A.
Folsom.--William C. Hanscom.--Merritt Sanford.--Alexander R.
Abbott.--Henry C. Leonard.--Abraham Norwood.--Charles Spear.--
James W. Putnam.--James W. Dennis.--Henry B. Soule.--Obadiah H.
Tillotson. 168
CHAPTER XV.
Elhanan W. Reynolds.--Nathaniel Gunnison.--John M. Austin.--Tobias H.
Miller.--Martin J. Steere.--Franklin S. Bliss.--Russell Tomlinson.--
De Witt C. Tomlinson.--Levi C. Marvin.--Giles Bailey.--John E.
Palmer.--William W. Wilson.--William R. Chamberlain. 181
CHAPTER XVI.
Samuel C. Loveland.--David Pickering.--George Rogers.--Lewis F. W.
Andrews.--Charles W. Mellen.--Henry A. Eaton.--W. A. P. Dillingham.--
John G. Bartholomew, D. D.--E. H. Chapin, D. D.--Joseph D. Pierce.--
Thomas J. Carney.--James M. Cook. 199
CHAPTER XVII.
A. W. Bruce.--Frederick A. Hodsdon.--Ezekiel W. Coffin.--Edward A.
Drew.--Norris C. Hodgdon.--S. P. Landers.--John Nichols.--Robert
Killam.--Charles H. Webster.--Asa P. Cleverly.--Thomas J. Whitcomb.--
George W. Whitney.--Robinson Breare. 221
CHAPTER XVIII.
Zadoc H. Howe.--Willard C. George.--Mark Powers.--L. L. Record.--
H. H. Baker.--James W. Ford.--E. H. Lake.--L. B. Mason.--Lafayette
Barstow.--Stillman Barden.--T. J. Tenney.--C. H. Dutton.--Robert
Bartlett. 232
CHAPTER XIX.
Rufus S. Pope.--W. M. De Long.--W. B. Linnell.--Joshua Britton.--
George Messenger.--John T. Goodrich.--Franklin C. Flint.--Hope Bain.--
Woodbury M. Fernald.--C. P. Mallory.--Elvira J. Powers.--Fanny U.
Roberts.--Prudy Le Clerc Haskell.--_Living Ministers_: C. F. Le
Fevre, D. D.--Lucius R. Paige, D. D.--A. A. Miner, D. D.--Thomas J.
Sawyer, D. D.--Thomas B. Thayer, D. D.--William S. Balch, D. D.--
William H. Ryder, D. D.--Birthplace of Rev. H. Ballou. 257
CHAPTER XX.
EDUCATIONAL AIDS.
Universalism and Education.--Tufts College.--Lombard University.--St.
Lawrence University.--Buchtel College.--Clinton Liberal Institute.--
Dean Academy.--Goddard Seminary.--Westbrook Seminary.--Green Mountain
Perkins Institute.--Other Aids.--The Sunday School.--Church
Literature.--A Sensible and Urgent Appeal. 293
CHAPTER XXI.
THE LAITY.
Needed Support of the Ministry; how the Laity can render it.--
Instances noted. 302
CHAPTER XXII.
THE PRESENT OUTLOOK.
Changes.--The Episcopal and Congregational Churches.--The Beecher
Family.--Congregationalists at Plymouth in 1865.--Question of the
Divine Responsibility.--Dr. Patton, Rev. John Miller, Miss Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps.--Orthodoxy at Andover.--Questions respecting it.--
Expedients to avoid the Admission of Universalism.--Prophecy of
Rev. Dr. Hosea Ballou.--A late Acknowledgment of its Truthfulness.--
Spirit of Inquiry among the Sects.--Spurgeon's Words.--The World and
Church moving.--Growth of our Nation during the Last Half Century.--
Words of Hon. R. C. Winthrop at Yorktown.--Work of the Universalist
Church Now and Henceforth.--A Positive Faith.--The Creed Question
noted.--A True Christian Life.--Missionary Inspiration and Action.--
Conclusion. 307
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
PAGE
REV. HOSEA BALLOU _Frontispiece_
" HOSEA BALLOU, D. D. 95
" THOMAS WHITTEMORE, D. D. 111
" OTIS A. SKINNER, D. D. 116
" SYLVANUS COBB, D. D. 124
" JOHN MOORE 147
" HENRY BACON 148
" ELBRIDGE G. BROOKS, D. D. 161
" EBENEZER FISHER, D. D. 163
" LUCIUS R. PAIGE, D. D. 259
" ALONZO A. MINER, D. D. 262
" THOMAS J. SAWYER, D. D. 268
" THOMAS B. THAYER, D. D. 275
" WILLIAM H. RYDER, D. D. 283
MR. THOMAS A. GODDARD 298
FIFTY NOTABLE YEARS.
CHAPTER I.
THE WORLD'S PROGRESS.
"Even now, after eighteen centuries of Christianity, we may be
involved in some enormous error, of which the Christianity of the
future will make us ashamed."--VINET.
"Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened by the process of the suns."
TENNYSON.
"The world moves." This is one of the confident sayings of those who
believe in human progression. It is an ordination of Divine Providence
from the beginning that man should realize mental and moral growth
through the successive generations of his earthly life. And this
divine purpose has been manifest in the past history of our race. They
who think, taking the amplest view of the present condition of
mankind, any former time was better than the present, do not
rightfully discriminate. "If," says Sydney Smith, "you say that our
ancestors were wiser than we, mention your date and your year."
Enlightened humanity cannot be content with its present attainments.
Its purest and highest aspirations respond to that clarion word of
Christian heroism, "Let us go on unto perfection!"
Of all the centuries of human history which have yet been numbered,
none have been more notable than the one in which we are living. Since
its commencement some of the most remarkable changes that can be
recorded of any age or period have taken place. Education, art,
science, human government and enterprise, religious thought, all have
made progress. Nations have changed, men have changed, if not in
nature, yet in convictions respecting man's capability, obligation,
and destiny. The Old World and the New have witnessed these
transformations.
It is of the changes indicative of human progress within the middle of
the present century that I desire to speak in this volume; for during
this period there seems to have been a more rapid succession of them
than ever, evincing the capability of our race for an advancement to
which no philosophy of the past or present has been able to set
bounds. There have been, during this time, nobler revolutions than
those effected by war, by the downfall of governments and
dynasties,--revolutions more excellent and enduring. We mean those
wrought by human thought, investigation, discovery, and invention. Apt
and forcible are the words of Dr. Norman Macleod, written at the close
of the year 1869: "In a few hours the century will have lived its
threescore and ten years. I question if since time began,--with the
exception of three or four great eras, such as the calling of Abraham,
the Exodus, the birth of Christ, the Reformation, the invention of
printing, or, it may be, the breaking up of the Roman Empire, the
birth of Mohammed or of Buddha,--such an influential period has
existed. The invention of the steam-engine, the discovery of gas,
telegraph, chloroform, with the freedom of slaves, the British
acquisition of India, the opening up of the world to the Gospel, the
translations of the Scriptures, will make it forever memorable."
Equally expressive are the words recently spoken by the chief
magistrate of Massachusetts: "Think of what has been done in the
matter of education, of public schools, of universities of learning
for both sexes and all races. In science we have unlocked the secrets
of the earth, the air, and the sea, and made them not merely matters
of wonder, but handmaids of homely use. In all matters of comfort, of
use, of elegance, of convenient living, of house and table, and
furniture, and light, and warmth, and health, and travel, what
thorough and beneficent advance equally for all, shaming the petty
meanness with which, unjust alike to the old times and the new, we
inveigh against the new times and overrate the old!"[1]
And what, more especially, of moral revolution and progress during the
last half century? The indications are evidently hopeful and cheering.
Human nature is indeed the same, but it has been under new and better
influences in modern than in more remote time. Human governments have
improved, and even the worst of them are better now than they were
fifty years ago. Human laws have been rendered more human and less
barbarous. Sympathy for the poor, the degraded, the sinful, has been
more truly awakened, and is at this moment in more active operation
than at any previous time. The moral obligations of political rulers,
and those who sustain them, have been perhaps more vigorously
discussed during these years than in any other fifty years preceding;
so that there seems now a more favorable opportunity than at almost
any previous day this side that of the Jewish Theocracy, to impress
this truth upon the public mind, that if individuals should have
consciences and a sense of responsibility to God, so should
communities; that "righteousness exalteth a nation, while sin is a
reproach to any people." Religious toleration also has increased. The
rigid sectarianism of the past has been giving way, so that now the
hunters of heresy, and the executioners of those who held it, are read
of rather than seen. The false deity which even some Christians have
worshipped in the past, and the false humanity with which they have
supposed themselves endowed, have been in some good degree exchanged
for more rational conceptions of God the Father, and of man the
offspring. And this change is daily going on; never was it more
perceptible than at the present hour.
We should manifest an unpardonable blindness in noting these evidences
of human advancement, if we were to leave out of the account the most
significant of all forces in it,--we mean _Christianity_.
This we regard as the foremost power in the spiritual progress thus
far realized in our world, and which promises to effect for the race
its highest exaltation. Refinement and barbarism have more or less
marked the history of the world in the past; they do still; but where
does the light of civilization shine brightest among the nations? The
answer is, where the Christian religion, in its true spirit, most
widely prevails. And it is the increasing prevalence of it which gives
us the assurance of that consummation of the Redeemer's work with men,
when they all "come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man; unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ."[2]
Christianity is a universal religion. Herein is its pre-eminence. It
is for man everywhere and in all time. No other religion has so
clearly asserted this claim for itself, and no other promises to do so
much for mankind. True, it has had to make its way against the errors
and prejudices and corruptions of the world. It has been mixed with
human errors, and has been professed, taught, and practised in too
many instances by those who have failed to realize clearly the
heavenliness of its spirit, and its far-reaching, regenerative, and
overcoming power. Its earliest promulgators failed to see at first
this grand characteristic of its universality. An able Christian
historian has written: "Nothing is more remarkable than to see the
horizon of the Apostles gradually receding, and, instead of resting on
the borders of the Holy Land, comprehending at length the whole world;
barrier after barrier falling down before the superior wisdom which
was infused into their minds; first, the proselytes of the gate, the
foreign conformists to Judaism, and, ere long, the Gentiles themselves
admitted within the pale; until Christianity stood forth, demanded the
homage, and promised its rewards to the faith of the whole human race;
proclaimed itself in language which the world had as yet never heard,
the one, true universal religion."[3]
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Uhlhorn, of Germany, in his able work, "The Conflict
of Christianity with Heathenism," speaking of the early development of
Christianity in the Roman Empire, calls it the first step to its
universalism. "Itself passing out from the ancient narrowness into a
world-wide breadth of thought and life, the old world became capable
of accepting the Universalism of Christianity."[4] The old world and
the new have yet many steps forward to take in this pathway of a
continually increasing brightness.
[1] Oration of Governor Long before the municipal authorities and
citizens of Boston, July 4, 1882.
[2] Eph. iv. 13.
[3] Milman's "History of Christianity."