The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-24

outside OF the church.
1t was also substantially the begin
ming of Universalism going into type.
Its appearance in 1882 was followed, we
are assured, by a religious commotion
through New England, such as the
works of no other author had accomp
lished in many years.
Nicodemus would not risk his repu.
tation as a master in Israel, to come to
the unpopular Nazarine in open sight;
so many New England writer and di-
vine grew "Ballouan," who gave no
credit to the unlettered prophet Of the
universal hope. All that is striking in
Emerson, in any degree approaching a
philosophy, aside from superior rheto-
rio, was previously more forcefully told
in that same community by "Ballou on
the Atonement."
st. Augustine was not man OF let
tiers. Like Ballou he could use but one
literature to advantage-the Latin. But
he excelled the learning around him in
conceptions of theological thought, and
became the head founder of Latin The
ology. So stands Ballou, without letters
related to Universalism, the religion OF
all coming time the uppermost and last
version that God has of his relation to
the family of men.
Calvin wrote better and stronger
literature than Augustine, but was never
the equal exponent of that hard school
of theology. Hence Augustine will be
longer studied than Calvin. So, too,
many more graceful pens have swept
the life theme of Universalism, but none
of it's advocates, to this very hour of
grace, has gone as deeply into the bosom
Of Deity itself on this great subject as
has Ballou. So, too, while the Atone
ment, by the fastidious school man
may be overlooked for lack of polish,
will it remain the hand book to the real
theologian of Universalism, indefinitely.
The Atonement lives, like the Analogy
Of Butler, over all evil prophecies to the
contrary, to enlighten anew every on
coming generation. AS the Analogy is
the insuperable method, and the unan-
swerable argument for Supreme Be-
ing, SO are the logical formulas of THE
Atonement" the insuperable arguments
for true theology and perfect divine
benevolence. AS an instance Of the
merits of this work, some years ago a
noted professor of languages in we'll
known institution of learning spoke to
me about Ballou's Treatise on the At
onement. remarking that he had read
some of our best writer's on the same
general subject of great interest, and had
given considerable attention to Chan
ming, but when he wanted thorough in
tellectual arousing no work was better
than Ballou on The Atonement. The
Professor was not Universalist.
Among other valuable contributions
to our literature may be cited "The
Compend of Divinity" by Dr.Cobb. That
work also, was not by man of many
letters, but man of masterful insight
and orderly adjustment of ideas, whose
pen bridged the way from unbelief to
faith for many strong antagonist to
the universal hope.
What Calvin was to Augustine, Will
hanson was to Ballou. Williamson, per-
haps better than any other man in the
galaxy of Universalist literati, un-
derstood and interpreted the Ballouan
theology of Universalism, and did more
than any other man to arrange and pre-
sent it. With all the positions of his
"Rudiments of Theological and Moral
Science" not all of his brethren would
agree, but as to the superior erudition of
the great work, scholars could not be d.
vided With thorough conception of
the theology and the accompanying eth
les he treated, and with all warmChris-
tian heart in it all, he brought to his
work the charms of perfect page. To
the grace of an Addison or an Irving, he
united the strength Of Hamilton.
What more important work has been
contributed to religious history than
that of Hosea Ballou 2nd,-"The An
Gent History of Universalism," which
was made the basis of inquiry by DR..
Edward Beecher, in his History OF the
Doctrine of Retribution?"
For more than quarter of century,
DR.. Chaplin of New York was the &C
knowledged head of theAmerican pulpit,
while an able advocate of Universalism,
and a master in the rhetoric in which he
dressed it. His printed sermons and lect-
ures were the delight of the most esthet
ic critics and adorned the best public
and private libraries in the land, without
regard to calling or creed.
l once in the capital of one of our
States, attended a coterie of the legal
profession, representing the best talent
of that State. They were recreating
over some of the felicitous sermons of
DIR. Chaplin.
These are of one and two generations
ago. 1t is true that many fine things
have been said since that day, and strong
men are all the time rising up. But is
there not something savoring of the sem
timental, if not of the impertinent, in
the oft-repeated deprecating illusions to
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