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BIOGRAPHY OF REV. HOSEA BALLOU.
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 SO
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AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
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
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INTRODUCTORY.
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
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BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.
BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.
Hosea Ballou was born, April 30th, 1771, in the town of Richmond, New Hampshire, a small village situated in the county of Cheshire, in the southern part of the State; at that time little more than an uncleared wilderness. The site of his birth-place is now a most attractive and lovely valley, scooped out from the rough hills and mountains of the Granite State, and known as Ballou's Dale; surrounded by the most romantic scenery, the beauties of which he used to dwell upon in after years, and to
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EARLY LIFE.
EARLY LIFE.
The life of Hosea Ballou may be said to have commenced with one of the saddest of bereavements, for at the tender age of two years he had the misfortune to lose his maternal parent, who died, leaving him the youngest of eleven children. Thus it was his unhappy lot never to know the fond regard and pure affection of a mother, that holiest tie of humanity. Concerning this matter, Mr. Ballou says, in the brief memoir or outline of his life with which he has furnished us, "My mother died when I was
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BECOMES A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION.
BECOMES A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION.
At the age of nineteen, there being what was termed a reformation in the town of Richmond, Mr. Ballou was induced, believing it to be his duty, to become a professor of religion, and accordingly at that time he joined the Baptist church, of which his father was pastor, in the month of January, 1789. It is very evident that he was partly induced to this circumstance by the bearing of external circumstances and the immediate associations about him, such as observing the conduct of others of his ow
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COMMENCES TO PREACH.
COMMENCES TO PREACH.
While Mr. Ballou was yet but twenty years of age, he made one or two unsuccessful attempts to preach a regular discourse. That is, he delivered sermons once or twice at the period referred to, before small assemblies of his personal friends and relations. But so far from satisfying himself in relation to his ability for public speaking, he was quite disheartened by the result that attended these his first efforts. Yet, by the constant solicitations of those who were curious to hear him discourse
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BECOMES A SETTLED MINISTER.
BECOMES A SETTLED MINISTER.
The first place in which Mr. Ballou engaged permanently as a settled minister was in the town of Dana, Mass., in 1794-5. The society here, not feeling able to pay for an engagement which should occupy him the whole time, engaged him for a portion, leaving him to supply the societies in Oxford and Charlton, Mass., also, a portion of the time. Having now become located, and his residence known, large numbers of people from a distance gathered to hear him, not only on the Sabbath, but frequently fo
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REMOVES TO PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
REMOVES TO PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
After the expiration of a period of six years from the time of his first settlement in Barnard, Vt., and during which season he enjoyed an uninterrupted flow of kindness and good fellowship with the societies of his charge, he accepted the invitation of the society of Portsmouth, N. H., to become their pastor, and to devote his whole time to the good of the cause in that place. He had formed within the circle of his professional labors in Vermont a host of kind and warm-hearted friends, and it w
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SETTLES IN BOSTON.
SETTLES IN BOSTON.
After a peaceful and happy residence in Salem, of a little more than two years, Mr. Ballou received a cordial invitation from the Second Universalist Society of Boston to become their pastor. The invitation was accepted; and, in the forty-fifth year of his age, he removed to this city, and was installed December 15, 1817, in the church which was built with the avowed purpose of obtaining his ministerial services; and here he continued to preach to the people for over thirty-five years. His lette
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COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE.
COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE.
On the third of July, 1819, Mr. Ballou commenced the publication of the Universalist Magazine, in connection with a practical printer,—Mr. Henry Bowen. As usual in every enterprise wherein he embarked, he entered into the purpose and plan of the paper with all his heart, its avowed object being the more extended dissemination of the gospel of truth, and the elucidation of Christ and his mission on earth. It will be observed that in whatever new position we find the subject of these memoirs, it i
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COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST EXPOSITOR.
COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST EXPOSITOR.
During the year 1831 Mr. Ballou commenced, with his nephew, Rev. Hosea Ballou 2d, the editorship of the "Universalist Expositor," a quarterly publication. He continued for two years as editor of the work, and afterwards as a regular contributor for a number of years. In November, 1834, Mr. Ballou was again induced to make the cities of New York and Philadelphia a professional visit. He had, previous to this date, and repeatedly afterwards, been earnestly solicited to settle in New York, as well
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DOMESTIC AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
DOMESTIC AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
All who knew Mr. Ballou intimately, can bear witness that his home was a happy one. This, of course, was owing to the manner in which he had framed and modeled that home after his own heart and the dictates of the religion he professed. He was the master mind there; his word was law, his simplest wish strictly complied with. He was looked up to with a degree of respect and veneration by his children, that was an abiding evidence of his true character. In the government of his family, he led , bu
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PHRENOLOGICAL CHARACTER.
PHRENOLOGICAL CHARACTER.
"His organization is very favorable to long life, good general health, and uniformity of mind. The vital temperament was originally decidedly strong. He has an amply developed chest, lungs and digestive apparatus, which have imparted health and prolonged life; and the muscular system is also fully represented. His mind is active, but not so much so as to prematurely exhaust his organization; nor is he particularly excitable. He has general harmony and evenness, rather than eccentricity or want o
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MR. BALLOU AS A CONTROVERSIALIST.
MR. BALLOU AS A CONTROVERSIALIST.
As passage after passage of scripture, which had heretofore been misapplied, was satisfactorily explained by his clear and far-seeing mind, thousands, who had before believed in a partial faith, were brought to a knowledge of Christ and the gospel. Mysteries were made plain, and dark ways were lighted, and the veil was thus removed from the eyes of the prejudiced, or those upon whom the force of education and early association had exercised supreme sway in matters of religion. "I have often been
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SPIRIT OF HIS DOCTRINE.
SPIRIT OF HIS DOCTRINE.
Mr. Ballou ever strove to make the word and the principles which he taught appear attractive, by representing them in their appropriate dress, the livery of joy and peace, and from the principles of fatherly love and kindness he gathered the strongest motives for humility, gratitude and obedience. He would tell you that God has written upon the fragrant flowers of the field, on the breezes that rock them, and the refreshing sun that nurtures them, indelible tokens of his fatherly affection, and
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SENTIMENTS RELATIVE TO DEATH.
SENTIMENTS RELATIVE TO DEATH.
Mr. Ballou was ever governed by a calm resignation to the decrees of Providence, and as it regarded the subject of his own death,—that thought which is said to make cowards of us all, that theme upon which we are too much inclined to dwell with feelings of dread and fear. Notwithstanding we are taught by Christian philosophers that life should be a preparation for death, there are very few of us who regard this inevitable event in its proper light. Dr. Young uttered a most profound truth when he
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END OF HIS EARTHLY MISSION.
END OF HIS EARTHLY MISSION.
How shall we speak of the close of that life which we have so feebly succeeded in portraying,—how depict the sunset of his soul upon earth,—how describe the unfeigned and unbounded sympathy and mourning of a whole denomination,—how refer to the appropriate ceremonies—the funeral obsequies—that were so beautifully and tenderly performed by the society over whom he had so long held such heart-sway, and whom he loved better than all else on earth, save his family? How shall our feeble pen portray t
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CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.
A modern writer says, after a visit to the splendid tomb of David Hume, at Edinburgh, "When I looked upon the spot, I could not forget that his best powers had been deliberately exerted to load the minds of men with doubts of their God." Let us contrast the feelings thus naturally arising in the mind, as it contemplates the life of the English historian, with those that will spring up spontaneously in the heart of him who looks upon the last resting-place of the subject of this biography. His wh
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NEW WORKS, JUST PUBLISHED. MEMOIR OF REV. S. R. SMITH.
NEW WORKS, JUST PUBLISHED. MEMOIR OF REV. S. R. SMITH.
By Rev. T. J. Sawyer , D.D. With a splendid Portrait. Pages 432. Price, in plain binding, $1; in full gilt binding, $1.50. Dr. Sawyer has had an acquaintance with the subject of this Memoir for twenty years; besides, he has in his hands all the papers which Mr. Smith left behind him, copies of letters, &c. The work is made up, to a considerable extent, from those various materials, and may therefore be regarded as in a manner an autobiography. The last words written for the press by Fath
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GRACES AND POWERS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
GRACES AND POWERS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
By Rev. A. D. Mayo . 12mo., about 300 pages. Price 75 cents. This is a series of twenty sermons, by Mr. Mayo, on the above subject, which cannot but prove a valuable acquisition to our Denominational Literature. "This is a beautifully printed book, and its interior life and its ideal corresponds with its actual. * * The style of the author is modern and graceful, and the moral influence of the work cannot be otherwise than safe and good."— Banner. "Mr. Mayo's composition reveals a pure spark of
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LIFE-SKETCHES OF REV. GEORGE H. CLARK.
LIFE-SKETCHES OF REV. GEORGE H. CLARK.
By his Brother. With a fine likeness. 16mo. 160 pages. Price 50 c. Sketches of the eventful life of this early-fallen brother were written by the request of many friends. The volume embraces a rapid succession of scenes and incidents, drawn from numerous papers left by the deceased, and portrayed by one dearly familiar with him from early life. Father Ballou's note of this work is as follows: "This brief memoir of our young and esteemed brother in the ministry of God's universal efficient grace
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GLIMPSES AND GATHERINGS,
GLIMPSES AND GATHERINGS,
During a Voyage and Visit to London and the Great Exhibition, in the Summer of 1851. By Rev. W. A. Drew , Commissioner of the State of Maine. With a Portrait. About 400 pages. Price $1. The undersigned issues, in connection with the publishers of the Gospel Banner, the above work. It is one of the most attractive and instructive volumes of travel ever published. "This volume consists of letters written by the author to the Gospel Banner , of which he is the well-known editor, during his recent v
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THE WORKS OF REV. HOSEA BALLOU.
THE WORKS OF REV. HOSEA BALLOU.
The death of this Patriarch of the Universalist Ministry gives additional value to his Works, and especially to those written in the years of his strength and vigor. The subscriber is the publisher of those works, and will furnish sets of the same, or single volumes, issued in the best style of typography and binding. I. Notes on the Parables of the New Testament. One vol. 12mo., 297 pages. Price 50 cents. First published in 1804. II. A Treatise on the Atonement. One vol. 12mo., 328 pages. Price
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