INTRODUCTORY NOTE. THESE lectures discuss the Universalism of the present time. The reader will observe three things: First, that the statements of doctrine are not made at second hand, but are taken directly from Universalist authors themselves, examined by the writer in person. Second, that the authors quoted are among the most noted of the denomination, men who are identified with its recent history and present condition, whose writings have had the widest circulation, and who now direct the theological literature of the order. Third, that the volumes quoted are of the most recent date, some of them not two years old, nearly all of them less than ten, and published during the life-time of their authors. These lectures were delivered in the regular series of discourses to the writer's own congregation Members of other congregations requested a repetition of them at a different hour, but other engagements prevented a compliance. A desire has been expressed, from various quarters, that they might be printed. They are accordingly given to the press, in the belief that the facts they embody may help expose a system that is as full of guile as it is of error. Christians in general have no correct knowledge of modern Universalism. Their notions are of a Restorationism, recognizing most of the leading features of the gospel, but denying the eternity of future punishment. They have but little idea of the system which rejects nearly all the doctrines of revelation in the mass, and denies even what they regard as the foundation of common morality. They have but little conception of the artifices by which it is sustained, or the moral degradation of code which those artifices conceal. Some treatise has been needed, which should briefly place those facts in their present aspect before the christian public. This is the principal design of these lectures. The author's own preferences would have led to a very considerable extension of the argument; but the thought that increase of size might defeat the circulation and influence of the volume, prevented. The chief thing required, after all, is to drag this system to the day-light, and strip off its disguises. To such a system, exposure is condemnation. When fairly comprehended, there is no fear but that it will be duly estimated by Christian hearts. Another consideration, not without its influence on the author's mind, was, the possibility of reaching some of the many individuals who receive Universalism on trust. Many respectable persons in our larger places, especially many who are young and fond of pleasure, are led by their inclinations to listen to the bold and defiant assertion of a flattering doctrine, while they never have made an hour's candid examination of the subject, and have not the remotest conception of the internal rottenness of the Universalist scheme and its advocacy. The writer has the satisfaction of hearing that some such individuals were benefitted by these lectures when delivered, and he hopes that others may derive a similar benefit from their perusal. He has not deemed it necessary, for their sakes, to soften the severity of his strictures on the system as such; with the facts before them, honest men are welcome to pronounce on the propriety of the strictures. For those, who, in the full knowledge of the system, with all its windings, sophistries, palpable inconsistences, dishonest devices and concealments, and its moral influences, yet deliberately retain it, there is little hope in this or any other argument. - One entirely subordinate consideration in printing these lectures, was the willingness that those who have learned of their contents only through the representation of opponents, might read for themselves, and see what is the honesty of some of the public advocates of Universalism. Modern Universalism is ashamed of itself. During the delivery of these lectures, the gross blunder and folly was first committed, of affirming that the Universalism here delineated, was that of some forty years ago. Subsequently the attempt was made, as - 66 the writer is informed, to invalidate the testimony to facts given in 1848, by the present editor of the " Gospel Banner," (the only Universalist paper in Maine,) and by seven other persons, four of whom are recognized in the Universalist Companion for 1856, as regular Universalist preachers in Massachusetts, with the sweeping assertion that it was the testimony of persons disfellowshipped by the denomination. Similar devices were adopted throughout. One is often reminded of the brief interview between Lemuel Haynes and the Universalist champion brought to argue with him. When the introduction had been made and the errand stated, "Glad to see you," said Mr. Haynes, taking him by the hand; "well, you are the man, then, who preaches that men may swear, and lie, and get drunk, and commit adultery and all other abominations, and yet go to heaven after all, are you?” No, no," said the Universalist, "I do n't preach any such thing." "Well," said Mr. Haynes, "you believe so, do n't you?" The zeal for controversy, for once, suddenly cooled off at the question; and after a few remarks about the weather and the pleasant situation of the village, the Universalist inquired of his attendant, if it was not about "time to be going." He felt the awkwardness of holding a doctrine which, in its bald form, he was ashamed to avow. Thus the most hopeful feature of the present Universalism is, that it is ashamed of itself, shrinks from the naked statements of its own doctrines, and the truthful exhibition of its own doings, and sometimes attempts, before a christian community, to repudiate the grand characteristic of the denomination for a quarter of a century, the doctrine of all its late standard treatises, and of its leading periodicals. With what success, the reader of these lectures will judge. The Universalist books principally used for the statement of the system are the following: "The Plain Guide to Universalism," stereotype edition, by Rev. Thomas Whittemore, now and for many years editor of the Trumpet,-a work which has circulated more widely, perhaps, than any other issued by the denomination; "A Voice to Universalists," published in 1849, by Rev. Hosea Ballou, the patriarch of Modern Universalism; "Lecture Sermons," third edition, 1854, by the same author; "One dozen Tracts for the People," (Boston,) 1856, by Rev. A. C. Thomas and Rev. T. B. Thayer, of Lowell; "A Compend of Divinity," seventh edition, 1854, by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, editor of the Christian Freeman and Family Visitor; "Endless Punishment," published in 1847, and the " Exposition and Defence of Universalism," 1840, by Rev. I. D. Williamson, D.D., now preacher at Cincinnati and editor of the Gospel Herald; and "Universalist Belief," second edition, 1846, by Rev. Asher Moore, now of New York. Other occasional references will be sufficiently indicated in their place. These authors certainly are accredited organs of the system. They present it in its most modern and its most plausible form,its aspect for the public. For the reader will learn before he completes these lectures, that there is also a Universalism not for the public. On the other hand, the writer has freely availed himself of the aid of such arguments against this heresy, as have fallen in his way. He would especially acknowledge his indebtedness to the recent work of Rev. N. D. George, of the Methodist denomination, “Universalism not of the Bible." During the delivery of these lectures, he met with the volume and derived from it important information and valuable suggestions, which are cheerfully acknowledged, as well as personal courtesies from its author. A constant difficulty which the writer has felt, has been to restrict the discussion within the limits of his design. It is hoped that any who might desire greater fulness on particular points, will remember the object in view. In wading through the dreary mass of sophistry over which he has passed, it has been difficult always to repress his disgust, and he has not always succeeded. The lectures are printed almost precisely as they were delivered, with only a simple revision of the style, and the insertion of portions omitted for want of time. They must be given to the press so, or not at all. They are published, not for literary purposes, but to do good. May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ ac company them. Manchester, N. H., August, 1856. |