Biography of Rev. Hosea Ballou

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: and being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform."

BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY ABEL TOMPKINS. 1852.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by ABEL TOMPKINS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

STEREOTYPED BY HOBART & ROBBINS, NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDERY, BOSTON.

TO THE SECOND UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF BOSTON, THIS BIOGRAPHY OF THEIR LATE PASTOR IS RESPECTFULLY Dedicated, BY THEIR HUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTHOR.

[Illustration: Portrait of REV. HOSEA BALLOU, Engraved by H. W. Smith]

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

To say that the author experiences a degree of diffidence in writing upon the theme and subject of these pages, would but inadequately express his true feelings on taking up the pen for this object. But he does it with a purpose of strict adherence to facts, nor will any matter be suppressed or one iota added to the truth. No one who shall read a dozen pages herein relating to the early life of Rev. Hosea Ballou, but will at once acquit the author of any false pride as it regards chronicling the events and circumstances of the subject's life. He is most happy to state the facts literally, and he is satisfied as to the verdict that every unprejudiced mind will render.

It may be said that a son cannot write a faithful history of a parent--that such a production must needs be partial,--though we have numerous instances of the contrary. To such an objection the writer would reply, that there is but one side to truth, and it is this, and this only, that the reader will find in these pages. He offers no labored extenuation or defence,--there are no circumstances that require it; no appeal or pleading for a verdict of acquittal,--for there are no charges to refute; but he gives a simple, unvarnished biography of a true Christian and a faithful disciple of the gospel, whose whole life, even from earliest youth, has been a beautiful and consistent tribute to truth. For some time previous to the decease of the subject of this biography the author contemplated the present work, and for this purpose has, at various times, kept minutes relative to dates of his father's movements; and he has also been briefly assisted by memoranda and short articles from his father's pen, which are embodied herein, relative to his feelings concerning himself and his doctrine. The framework, so to speak, of the book, has therefore been in hand for a considerable period; and the placing of it in a proper form for the printer has been all the author has attempted since the death of his respected father.

M. M. Ballou.

Boston, Sept., 1852.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY 9

CHAPTER II. BIRTH AND PARENTAGE 14

CHAPTER III. EARLY LIFE 22

CHAPTER IV. BECOMES A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION 38

CHAPTER V. COMMENCES TO PREACH 52

CHAPTER VI. BECOMES A SETTLED MINISTER 64

CHAPTER VII. REMOVES TO PORTSMOUTH, N. H. 89

CHAPTER VIII. SETTLES IN BOSTON 103

CHAPTER IX. COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE 120

CHAPTER X. COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST EXPOSITOR 136

CHAPTER XI. DOMESTIC AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS 173

CHAPTER XII. MR. BALLOU AS A CONTROVERSIALIST 231

CHAPTER XIII. SPIRIT OF HIS DOCTRINE 258

CHAPTER XIV. SENTIMENTS RELATIVE TO DEATH 322

CHAPTER XV. END OF HIS EARTHLY MISSION 366

CHAPTER XVI. CONCLUSION 392

BIOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

The gratitude of mankind has not failed to record with honor the names of those who have been the inventors of useful improvements in the arts, or the authors of scientific discoveries, of brave warriors and wise statesmen; ancient history reveals to us the time when the inventors of letters and the plough, were revered as divinities. If there are any who are actually worthy of being remembered by the world, they are those who have proved themselves, by the lives they have led, and by their holy teachings, to be benefactors of the human family, and true followers of Christ.