CHAPTER VII.

CONTROVERSY WITH HOSEA BALLOU.

In the year 1805 Mr. Haynes published his celebrated sermon, from the text, "Ye shall not surely die," in answer to Hosea Ballou, a distinguished preacher of the doctrine of universal salvation. This discourse has been printed and reprinted, both in America and in Great Britain, till no one pretends to give any account of the number of editions. It is stated by those that heard it, that, in the publication, not a few of the happiest illustrations are omitted. The circumstances in which it was preached are thus detailed in an extract of a letter from a respected correspondent, A. G. Dana, M. D. :

"REV. AND DEAR SIR,

*

"Pittsford (Vt.), July 13th, 1835.

"Several years since Mr. Haynes passed the Sabbath and preached where I then resided; and having tarried at my house during his stay, I took the opportunity to inquire of him as to the circumstances of his meeting with Mr. Ballou on the abovementioned occasion, when he related the following facts:-He had, on the preceding Sabbath, made an appointment to preach a lecture in a remote part of the parish, the same day in which Mr. Ballou preached in his pulpit. I think he informed me that he knew nothing of the appointment of Mr. Ballou till the day arrived. On the morning of the day some of his friends called on him and expressed their regret that his lecture was on that day, as Mr. Ballou was to preach there; and that,

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on his arrival the preceding evening, and learning that Mr. Haynes was to be absent, he had remarked, that 'the orthodox gentry generally scud' when he went into a place to preach. His brethren unanimously advised him to forego his own appointment, and go and hear Mr. Ballou. During the conversation, the man at whose house his own lecture was to be delivered happening to call, united with his friends in the same opinion. Accordingly Mr. Haynes came to the conclusion to attend the preaching of the universalist. On arriving at the meeting-house he was introduced to Mr. Ballou, who immediately invited him to take a part in the exercises, which he modestly_declined, saying that he came merely as a hearer. But, on Mr. Ballou's repeating the request, adding that he thought it peculiarly proper that he should take some part in the exercises, as he was to occupy his pulpit, Mr. Haynes remarked that he might perhaps be willing to make some remarks after he had closed. Accordingly, Mr. Ballou, after concluding his discourse, turned to Mr. Haynes and said, 'There is opportunity for remarks, if you are disposed to make any;' when he arose and delivered the discourse in question.

It is obvious from these facts, as well as from the discourse itself, that the subject was chosen, and the plan and arrangement of the discourse formed, while listening to Mr. Ballou; who, with all his ..... of preparation,' was so signally and triumphantly over.... 'note thrown.

"I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
"A. G. DANA.

"Rev. Dr. COOLEY."

I

Universal Salvation a very Ancient Doctrine, with some Account of the Life and Character of its Author: a Sermon delivered at Rutland, West Parish, Vermont, in the year 1805, by LEMUEL HAYNES, A. M. Seventh Edition. New York: printed for Cornelius Davis. 1810.

[From the Panoplist.]

The following are some of the excellences of this ser

mon:

1. The text is very aptly chosen.

What

2. It is a very impressive and convincing sermon. could more strongly prove the falsehood of Universalism than to show from Scripture that the devil was its author and first preacher?

3. The satire which runs through the sermon is founded on truth and justice, and managed with Christian sobriety. 4. The sermon displays much originality.

5. It is a very popular sermon.

Of this there is sufficient proof in the six editions of it which have been printed within two years.

6. It is a very useful sermon, especially to those who want leisure, ability, or patience to follow with advantage a long chain of reasoning.

PREFACE.

THERE is no greater folly than for men to express anger and resentment because their religious sentiments are attacked. If their characters are impeached by their own creed, they only are to blame. All that the antagonists can say cannot make falsehood truth nor truth falsehood.

The following discourse was delivered at Rutland, in June, 1805, immediately after hearing Mr. BALLOU, a Universal preacher, zealously exhibit his sentiments. The author had been repeatedly solicited to hear and dispute with the above preacher; and had been charged with dishonesty and cowardice for refusing. He felt

that some kind of testimony, in opposition to what he calls error, ought to be made; and has been urged to let the same appear in print. But whether, on the whole, it is for the interest of truth, is left to the judgment of the candid.

Rutland, Dec. 30, 1805.

A SERMON, &c.

GENESIS iii., 4:-"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.”

The Holy Scriptures are a peculiar fund of instruction. They inform us of the origin of creation; of the primitive state of man; of his fall, or apostacy from God. It appears that he was placed in the garden of Eden, with full liberty to regale himself with all the delicious fruits that were to be found except what grew on one tree—if he ate of that he should surely die, was the declaration of the Most High.

Happy were the human pair amid this delightful paradise, until a certain preacher, in his journey, came that way, and disturbed their peace and tranquillity by endeavouring to reverse the prohibition of the Almighty, as in our text-"Ye shall not surely die."

"She pluck'd, she ate;

Earth felt the wound: nature from her seat,

Sighing through all her works, gave signs of wo,
That all was lost."-MILTON.

We may attend,

To the character of the preacher-to the doctrine inculcated to the hearer addressed-to the medium or instrument of the preaching.

I. As to the preacher, I would observe, he has many names given him in the sacred writings, the most common is the Devil. That it was he that disturbed the felicity of our first parents, is evident from 2 Cor. xi., 3, and many other passages of Scripture. He was once an

angel of light, and knew better than to preach such doctrine; he did violence to his own reason.

But, to be a little more particular, let it be observed,

1. He is an old preacher. He lived about one thousand seven hundred years before Abraham-above two thousand four hundred and thirty years before Mosesfour thousand and four years before Christ. It is now five thousand eight hundred and nine years since he commenced preaching. By this time he must have acquired great skill in the art.

2. He is a very cunning, artful preacher. When Elymas, the sorcerer, came to turn away people from the faith, he is said to be full of all subtlety, and a child of the devil-not only because he was an enemy of all righteousness, but on account of his carnal cunning and craftiness.

3. He is a very laborious, unwearied preacher. He has been in the ministry almost six thousand years, and yet his zeal is not in the least abated. The apostle Peter compares him to a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour. When God inquired of this persevering preacher, Job ii., 2, "From whence camest thou?" he "answered the Lord, and said From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." He is far from being circumscribed within the narrow limits of parish, state, or continental lines; but his haunt and travel is very large and extensive.

4. He is a heterogeneous preacher, if I may so express myself. He makes use of a Bible when he holds forth, as in his sermon to our Saviour, Matt. iv., 6. He mixes truth with error, in order to make it go well, or to carry his point.

5. He is a very presumptuous preacher. Notwithstanding God had declared in the most plain and positive terms, "Thou shalt surely die" or, "In dying thou shalt die"-yet this audacious wretch had the impudence to confront omnipotence, and say, "Ye shall not surely die !"

6. He is a very successful preacher. He draws a