Universalism as it is

(Universalist Companion,' p. 70,) that "during the past year -no less than fifty-nine new laborers have entered into" their" field of labor, of whom nine are converts from the Partialist ministry-while hundreds, yea, thousands, if not tens of thousands, of the Partialist laity have embraced and avowed the faith of Universalism during the past year." "There are," they say, (p. 71,)" in the United States alone, 1 General Convention, 12 State Conventions, 56 Associations, about 853 Societies, 512 Preachers, and 513 Meeting-houses owned wholly or in part by Universalists. In addition to those in the United States, there are about 15 Societies, 7 Preachers, and 3 or 4 Meeting-houses in the British Provinces."

It is, doubtless, the case that this estimate makes but little allowance for societies that have ceased to be, and are among the things that were. Yet with every deduction that can be made, and that truth demands, it is still quite apparent, that hundreds of enterprising preachers, and a score of editors are constantly engaged in disseminating from the pulpit, through the press, and by every means in their power, their peculiar tenets throughout these United States. Every opportunity is watched and carefully improved to bring themselves into notice. If a paragraph appears in any periodical reflecting, in the least degree, on them or their doctrines, it is made the basis of a labored and spirited defence. If a sermon is preached in defence of the strict eternity of future punishment, it is made the occasion of a course of Essays, or Sermons, in reply. In every possible way discussion is provoked, and the people called out to hear their claims.

To this course they are encouraged to adhere, because in part they are aware that their doctrines are but little understood by their opponents. "There is one advantage," says one of their preachers, ('Magazine and Advocate,' III. 134,) "which Universalists ever have had over their opponents, thought it may not appear so to the multitude. Very few Partialists are there, who are acquainted with what we believe, and as we believe it, with the arguments by which we defend, and the proofs we adduce to support our positions. But where will you find a Universalist, who thoroughly understands his own system, and does not, at the same time, understand every nook and corner in the crazy old edifice of Limitarian theology?-Set a Partialist to disproving Universalism, and what murderous work must he make of logic, what perversion of truth, what contradiction of facts! He brings forward passages his own teachers have rejected, lays down positions

which have nought to do with the subject, assumes premises denied by his opponent, and destitute of all proof," and " gues, in his ignorance, the truth of the very position contended for by the Universalist."

It is by no means uncommon for a Universalist preacher to accuse and convict one, whom he regards and treats as an opponent, of being but little acquainted with the peculiarities of the doctrine against which his labors have been directed. The author has seldom heard a sermon against Universalism, that was not based on assumptions, or directed against principles, which no well-informed Universalist at the present day admits. Such discourses, therefore, must not only be powerless, but give an opponent a great advantage in reply.

Orthodox preachers, in order to acquaint themselves with the peculiarities of the sect, have, in too many cases, contented themselves with an examination of the masterly argument of the younger Edwards against Chauncy; or the Calvinism Improved' of Dr. Huntington; or the writings of Winchester and Mitchell. Thus informed, they have constructed a most powerful argument, and completely overthrown the strong holds of the early advocates of this peculiar creed; and they wonder that any can hold on to a doctrine so untenable, and be Universalists still. The truth is, that not a Universalist preacher in the land, so far as the author has been able to learn, does hold on to the system thus attacked. These are not their text-books. They that would know what they believe must consult more modern writers, and gather their creed from their most recent publications, and inform themselves thoroughly in regard to the latest discoveries and intrenchments of the sect, or they will labor in vain.

To aid such in this investigation the following work was undertaken. The results of his inquiries were first given to the public by the author, in a series of seventeen Essays, over the signature of "ENOCH," through the columns of the New York Evangelist. The volume now presented is a republication of those Essays only in part. The work has subsequently been re-cast, the greater part entirely re-written, and large additions made to the whole. A list of the authorities from which information has been drawn is appended, and great care has been taken to obtain the utmost accuracy in citing their testimony. The books themselves are such as may be found in almost every Universalist library, and are constantly advertised, with three or four exceptions, for sale in their bookstores, as Universalist Works."

It is worthy of remark, that, though the substance of this Treatise has been before the public several months, no reply has been attempted, and all allusion to the series itself, by any of their periodicals, has been most carefully avoided, as far as possible. Ordinarily, as has been remarked, every allusion to the sect is replied to at once, and every such reply copied again and again by their periodicals. In the present case a most ominous silence has pervaded their whole ranks. They have not ventured to deny the truth of the allegations here made, nor can they. On the other hand, when, about a year since, the author presented, from his own pulpit, in the presence of two at least of their ministers, and a large number of the members of one of their societies, the leading features of the system, as they are detailed in this volume, they took occasion to congratulate themselves, and the Universalist public, that for once an orthodox preacher had told the truth. "A zealous sister in the faith who was present” (‘Universalist Union,' V. No. 15,) thought him "deserving of a vote of thanks for introducing so much Universalism into his desk. We think so too," said the editor of the Union,'" and hope he will not be weary in well doing. Let him buckle on his whole armor."

Should a reply be attempted, it will be of no use to say that the statements of the author are not worthy of credit, or that he has not given the sense of the writers to whose language he has referred. Errors of the press may have been overlooked in the revision of so many quotations, but these can hardly affect the general result. These quotations are too numerous, and too evidently speak the same language, to be misunderstood. If any doubt be cherished as to the honesty of the author, the reader is respectfully referred to the books themselves, where he will find vastly more of the same purport, of which what is here given is but a small specimen.

It is hoped that the work will be of service not only to the community at large, but to theological students, and brethren in the ministry, who have but little time or opportunity to accomplish a task, that has proved so unpleasant and often heart-sickening to

March 4, 1841.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PRIMITIVE UNIVERSALISM.

Rise of the Sect in America-Doctrine of their first Preachers-The

original system abandoned-The new scheme and its founder-

Transition-state.

CHAPTER II.

PREVAILING CREED OF UNIVERSALISM.

Progress in error-Essentially different from all other schemes-Ar.

rogance of wisdom-Not a Christian denomination-Real and no-