The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-11

Va nAnA MALL, VI ullduclpula, Sdlu.
Though we live on the other side of
the Delaware, we reckon ourselves all
one because we drink one water.n
Markham was Deputy Governor on the
Delaware from 1893 to 1895.
Conrad Beissel and Ephrata Brotherhood.
Rev. Richard Eddy, who is one of
our most reliable authorities on church
history, gives much proof that the doc
trine of Universal Restoration was be-
lieved by many of the earliest settlers
in Pennsylvania. As far as l have
been able to learn, Rev. Conrad Beissel,
of Ephrata, was the first Christian
preacher of Universal Redemption in
Pennsylvania, and may have been the
first on the continent; but of this 1 can
not speak with full assurance. He
was born in Germany, in 1890, and
came to America in 1920. About the
year 1882 he took up his residence in
Ephrata, Penn, and in 1875 erected
the first cousecrated building in that
place, where he remained until his
death. He was very much esteemed
as leader of the brethren, and it was
probably through his influence that
nearly all the older members of the
community became believers.
In order to satisfy myself more
fully in regard to Beissel's faith, 1 ad-
dressed letter to Prof. Seidensticker,
of the University of Pennsylvania, and
received from him response from
which l make the following extract:
'Beissel's language" says Prof. s.,
sis often highly fgurative, and some
times quite difficult to understand, but
the following page, 1 translate from
the German, indicates his belief in
final restoration
"Now must divine service last for
ever, and the blood of redemption,
without ceasing, receive priestly ad-
ministration for the sin of the other
tribes of Israel; because the Offering of
the High Priest has been instituted also
for the reprobate, SO that at last all
will serve the Lord and honor him in
his temple"
From this testimony it appears that
Beissel preached Universal Rsdemp-
ton, even for those he calls s'repro-
bates" at least ten years before De Ben
neville openly advocated the doctrine
in this State, and more than quarter
of a century before John Murray's
arrival in this country.
In further confirmation of these
views, let me say that 1 visited Ephra-
ia in 1851, and had a pleasant inter-
view with Bishop Fahnestock, Beissel's
successor, who was the spiritual guide
and leader of the brethren of that
place. He was sanity looking old
man, with countenance indicative of
purity of heart and great peace Of
mind. His face, so pleasant to behold,
could be none other than the outward
garment of soul pure, spiritual and
heavenly. | was so perfectly charmed
with the man, felt as if l was talking
with one of the ancient prophets of the
Lord.
On remarking that 1 had under
stood many of his people were Uni
versalists, he responded, "Oh, no, not
Universalists!" Ireplied, eff you are
not believers in the final end of sin and
sorrow, you have been greatly misrep-
resented, both by preachers and his
torians." "Oh," responded the good
bishop, ''if that be Universalism, then
many of us are Univers alists. On that
question, never had but one doubt,
and that was in the case of Judas, but
when l reflected that he repented and
threw down the thirty pieces of silver,
l thought there might be hope for
him Also"
In 1883 1 made a second visit to
Ephrata, and spoke to the brethren of
my memories of Fahenstock and his
belief in universal redemption. AS 1
stood at their long table in their quaint
old place of worship, could but call
to mind the fathers of that noble band
of Christian who were the first asso-
ciated believers in universal restora-
tion in this country. All honor to
those faithful heralds of the cross!
They were not ignorant fanatics, but
learned men. One of them translated
the Declaration of Independence into
seven different languages for the courts
of Europe. and they had one of the
finest printing presses in the State,
which they placedsin care of the His
torical Society of Pennsylvania" a
short time before became its libra
rian. think it was under DR.. Eddy's
administration.
The next public advocate of Uni
versalism in Pennsylvania was
DR.. George De Bonneville.
He was born in London, England, in
1908, and came to this country in 1741,
dying in 1898 in the ninetieth year of
his age, and was buried in the family
graveyard in Milestown near Philadel-
phia. He resided several years in
Obey, Berts Co., Pennsylvania.
| August II, 1883, visited Oley for the