The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-31

not eloquent OF speech, nor was ne re.
markable for pastoral ability; but in
the combination of thinker, writer and
scholar he is, up to date. in the annals of
our church, without a peer. And his
influence in moulding and shaping the
sentiments Of the denomination, as they
are now held, has been greater than that
OF any other member of our ministry.
l. He was great scholar. Beginning
the study of Latin and Greek in early
youth. and later, Hebrew, without any
of the advantages of collegiate training
and discipline, he pursued untiringly
those languages until his latest days,
and he became one OF the most learned
scholars of his times in the ancient Ian
guages. He was also deep student Of
history, philosophy and belles-letters,
so much so, that at time when people
of other churches discredited whatever
came out of our Nazareth. he was elected
as DR.. Channing's successor as overseer
of Harvard College; a member of the
Massachusetts Board of Education; and
received the doctorate from Harvard
University, the first doctor Of divinity
in the Universalist denomination.
The pages of his Ancient History of
Universalism, and of the old Universal
lst Quarterly for many years, abound in
evidences of the enthusiastic and patient
research of the thoroughly equipped
scholar.
2. He was a rare writer. DR.. Chan.
ming said of the elder Ballou: HE never
wrote sentence not intelligent at
sight" This eulogy is applicable to DR..
Ballou. His style is clear, pellucid, per-
spicuous, transparent. The meaning is
always visible in his current of thought
when at its deepest, like nuggets and
sands of gold in the mountain stream.
The most abstruse themes, and dryest
expositions of theological problems, are
made attractive and relishable by the
perspicacity and beauty of the language
he employed. His Ancient History is a
model of literary excellence as well as of
scholarship. His inkwell was fountain
of English pure and indebted"
3. He was profound thinker. Here
was where he has exerted his greatest
influence. His scholarship and literary
ability were not only employed to eluci-
date the Scriptures in ACCORD ance with
the thought Of his church, and to I'M
fold the themes as held by his brethren
in common. but these accomplish ments
enabled him to mould and shape the
opinions of his denomination, not only
for the time being but for the future.
In fact, it should be stated that he, more
than any other man, gave form to the
existing theology and philosophy of our
church.
The outside world and some of our
own younger men do not always discrim-
mate between the work of the elder and
of the younger Hosea Ballou. The first
was an original genius. man whose
power as thinker has never been sur
passed in the realm Of theology. In a
few simple yet profound pages he reached
fundamental principles that revolution
lied Christian thought, and made posi-
BILE the newer orthodoxy, and we're the
germs indeed of the prevailing phases
of Christianity. Without Ballou, hu
manly speaking, Henry Ward Beecher,
Washington GLADDEN., Newman Smyth,
Munger, Swing and Thomas would
never have been. But the second Hosea
changed the direction and tone of our
UNCONVENTIONAL thought and gave it it's
present character. If the first was the
breaking-up pillow, the second was the
cultivator. Instead of combining the
good and evil consequences of this life
to the realm of mortality as did the seal.
ior Ballou, he taught that our life here
and hereafter is continuous. and that
death no more changes our characters
than does its brother, sleep.
have only time TO say here tt at the
influence Of DR.. Ballou in this regard so
modified the teachings OF the senior
Ballou that during the formers life time
the great majority of our clergymen and
people accepted the modified Universal
ism as taught by the junior. and that at
the present time this type is the preva
lent one. He accomplished this result
not by dogmatic controversy. but by the
leavening power OF affirmative teaching.
Next to the senior Ballou it may be
stated that no other man in our church
has ever exerted so marked an influence
on it's theology and philosophy as has
DR.. Ballou.
In one respect DIR. Ballou was good
example. Too many scholars and stu
dents are mere book worms. They
carry evidences Of the shop wherever
they go. They smell of the mid
night lamp. They are only interest
ing when their realm is invaded, and are
often tiresome there. But while DIR.
Ballou was always ready to converse on
themes involving scholarship, he did not
oblrude them. He seemed to have left
his profound studies in his library, and
no man could be more genial. humorous
simple minded than he. He loved poe.
try and humor, and it was a rare tire al
to be present when he was with con
genial companions. He ranged among
the poets like bee among flowers. He