The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21
MORE ANECDOTES OF HOSEA BALLoU

Mr.. Ballou was not facetious man.
Few men ever saw him laugh. He was
a serious man, but of quick and clear
discernment. Hence his replies to ques-
tions and some of his illustrations were
SO direct and fOrcible, they savored
of wit and produced laughter. L re-
member several of them, especially one
perpetrated on myself. We were at a
dedication in Mattapoisett. Ipreached
in the afternoon from text in Reyela-
tion. In the evening, in New Bedford,
in talking over the services of the day,
he turned to me and said: 'Br. B., 1
liked your sermon very much; 1 think
what you preached was true, whether
that tert proved it or not"
orcertoia snca*hass
many years before her husband, who was
a Universalist, invited Mr.. Ballou to the
house to be entertained over Sunday.
He being engaged in his store, she tried
to entertain him, though afraid of him,
and more afraid of his doctrine. They
conversed upon doctrinal points, as
most people did in those days with min
listers, and came to the doctrine of orig
inal sin and total deprayity. AS was
his custom in such discussions he said
little but ask questions. She asserted
very strongly the total depravity, Her
two little children were playing about
the room very pleasantly. He, always
fond of children and very pleasant
with them, called them to him while
the mother was busy, and finally took
them in his lap, saying, " Come here,
little darlings; you poor totally de-
PRAYED children of the devil, whom
your Father in heaven hates. 1 love you,
and guess your mother loves you better
than | do" She said to me, at was
enough. l rushed into my room and
wept for nearly an hour. 1t proved my
conversion"
The most striking incident l ever
knew of him in my long and intimate
acquaintance with him took place at
the General Convention in Albany. He
was preaching to crowded audience
the last afternoon. In the course of
his sermon he sought to dltSterate (as
he pronounced it, by introducing the
case Of the woman who had seven hus-
bands, to prove his idea of the relation
between the present and the resurrec-
tion state. He made mistake and
had it a man with seven wives, 1t
caused stare among the preachers and
people which he noticed. After con-
tinuing some time, he came around as
if to correct it, and made the same mis-
take. By his looks he felt it keenly,
and became very nervous, but finished
his discourse in the most clear, emphat-
ic and eloquent manner l ever heard
from his or any other mans lips. He
introduced an Orthodox deacon, a good,
piOus, devOut Christian and his good
wife. They loved and agreed in every
thing, only she could not "get religion"
as he thought she must to be saved.
He prayed for her salvation in all his
prayers, and when she died he mOurned
for her long as allowing husband, and in
great sadness. Few dry eyes were in all
the audience. "And finallyit came to
pass" said he, " that the good deacon
died also, as all people must. When
he entered the gates of Part disc, who
should be the first to meet him but his
beloved wife. In astonisnment turning
to Peter he asked: DO you allow un'
converted souls to come here? If you dc
and have any convenient place, think
l better be going Smiles beamed
from every face like sunshine after
showers.
Stopping at a good brothers house
some twenty of US, Br. DOlphus Skin
ner, one of our good pioneer brothers
coming in, said to Br. B. very eOmpla
Gently, We're you aware you made {