LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO c OF THOMAS WHITTEMORE, D.D BY JOHN G. ADAMS, D.D. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. ST. PAUL. Next to the Bible, Christian biography is the most profitable reading. NORMAN MACLEOD, D.D. BOSTON: UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1878. Copyright, 1877, BT UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son. TO THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF AMERICA, 5Efjfe fHemott OF ONE OF HER ABLE AND FAITHFUL MINISTERS AND DEFENDERS IS RESPECTFULLY AND FRATERNALLY DEDICATED. PREFACE. No word of apology or explanation is needed in offer- ing to the public the memoir contained in the following pages. The subject of it was widely known for more than forty years in New England as well as in other parts of our country. He belonged to the Church Uni- versal, and to the Universalist Church especially and emphatically. One who knew him long and intimately, and whose good judgment was unquestioned (Rev. Dr. H. Ballou), pronounced him to have been " the people's man above any other in our denominational history." The author of this memoir can truly say that the writing of it on his part has been a labor of love. He had enjoyed a long fraternal acquaintance with Mr. Whittemore, had profited by his wise counsellings when he most needed them, and had been edified and strengthened in a sympathy of soul enjoyed as a co- worker with him in the ministry of the Gospel of Divine Grace. In preparing this memoir for the press, it has been the intention of the writer to present the man and the minister as he was known when living, and as he is remembered by many now that he has passed on. We have aimed to condense the matter in hand. It has iv PREFACE. been more difficult to decide what to leave out than what to insert, where the materials for use were so ample. To those acquainted with Mr. Whittemore, a perusal of these pages will, we think, bring their past realization of his person and his work vividly to remembrance. To the younger members of the Universalist fraternity we commend his busy, practical, and earnest life ; and to our younger ministers that loyalty to our common cause which he so constantly manifested, and especially that devotion and zeal which made him such a kindling and magnetic life-power wherever his ministries ex- tended. Were he now with us as in other days, they would find in him a cordial participator in all their endeavors to promote the true life of the Christian Gospel in human souls. May the divine blessing attend the reading of this record of him. J. G. A. MELROSE HIGHLANDS, Mass., Dec. 1, 1877. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 1821-1828. AGED 21-28. PAGE Autobiography Ancestry in England Recapitulation Ac- quaintance with Rev, Hosea Ballou First Sermon Pastorate at Milford At Cambridgeport The Editor The Preacher Rev. Walter Balfour Discussion with Rev. O. Scott Visit to the West Declines Invitation to settle there 13 CHAPTER H. 1828-1830. AGED 28-30. The Trumpet ; its character Visit to Rev. Dr. Emmons Meetings Rockingham Association Preaches at Portsmouth, Exeter, Sterling Meeting in New Hampshire Dr. Lyman Beecher Lowell meetings Sunday Mail Question Ancient History of Universalism Meetings Rev. M. Rayner Prof. Stuart's Essay Lectures by Messrs. Merritt and Fisk General Con- vention at Winchester Unitarian Statement Woburn Mod- ern History of Universalism At Dedham 29 CHAPTER HI. 1830-1833. AGED 30-33. Dr. E. S. Ely and Universalists Dr. Lyman Beecher's opposition Rev. Mr. Atkinson's ordination Dr. Ely's Reply to Mr. Whit- temore, and Answer to it General Convention at Lebanon, N.H. vi CONTENTS. PAQK Dedication at Annisquam Mr. Whittemore's resignation at Cambridgeport Elected representative Third Article of Bill of Rights Mr. Whittemore's course and speech Alteration effected His interest in the town of Cambridge Anecdote Controversy with Universalists, how to be carried on Rocking- ham Association General Convention at Barre, Vt. Nomi- nated for the Senate Notes on the Parables McC lure's Lec- tures on Ultra-Universalism Singular concession of the author Rockingham Association Journey of a week New edition of Murray's Life Services in South Boston Journey to New Hampshire Ordination at Rumney Meeting at Wentworth, at Concord, at Sandown 46 CHAPTER IV. 1833-1836. AGED 33-36. Kockingham Association, 1833 General Convention at Strafford, Vt. Scenery on the journey Sippican Opposition at Dan- vers Rev. M. P. Braman Public discussion with him Com- ments upon it Journey of a week Ware, Brimfield, dedication at Spencer Boston Association Rev. Parsons Cooke, and One Hundred Arguments Rockingham Association, 1834 General Convention at Albany, N.Y. Visit to northern New Hampshire Boston Association Discussion respecting zeal Mr. Whittemore's views of conference, prayer, and praise meetings Capital Punishment Temperance Visit to Maine, and Lectures Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoinham Maine Convention Dr. Beecher Rockingham Association, 1835 Jubilee Session of U.S. Convention Boston Association Stoughton Dedication at West Rumney, N.H. Meetings in New Hampshire Discussion again on conference and prayer meetings Mr. Whittemore's views of them G3 CHAPTER V. 1836-1840. AGED 36-40. Murray's tomb Mass. Convention at Wrentham New musical work Study of Harmony Letter to a friend Songs of Zion Convention Sermon Temperance Ideas of Christ Dedi- CONTENTS. VU PACK cation at Maiden Rockingham Association at Epping ; Dedi- cation U.S. Convention, New York Dedication in Essex Lowell and Exeter Installation at Pliillipston Rockingham Association at Salem, N.H. Installation at Nashua Newton Upper Falls, grove meeting Mass. Convention at Maiden Removal of Murray's remains to Mount Auburn U.S. Con- vention at Philadelphia Washington, Baltimore, Fredericks- burg, New York Extemporaneous speaking Installation at Lamprey River Ministerial education Installation at Me- thuen Prosecution of Abner Kneeland Funeral of Rev. W. C. Hanscom Dedication at Andover Ministerial education again Rockingham Association at South Hampton U.S. Convention at Boston Creeds R. W. Emerson's Address at Cambridge Chester, N.H. Notice of Rev. E. H. Chapin Religion and Common Schools Worship of Christ Nashua Conference at Danvers To believers scattered abroad A theological institution New Hampshire Convention at Nashua Rockingham Association at Hampstead Death of Rev. T. F. King Dedication at Waltham ; Monument to Hanscom Fire at Cornhill Self-sacrifice Dedication at South Reading Miller excitement Plain Guide to Universalism Debate with Rev. Parsons Cooke Progress of Universalism Editorial in- dependence . . 84 CHAPTER VI. 1840-1813. AGED 40-43. Unitarianism and Universalism State Convention at New Bedford . Views on future punishment Movement of Restorationists Desire for union Dedication and Church Recognition at Con- cord, Mass. Statement of Rev. Dr. Lowell and comments Dedication at Newburyport The Banker Theological Semi- nary Temperance Reform Rev. Theodore Parker Gospel Harmonist Rockingham Association Seminary meeting at Worcester U.S. Convention at New York Knapp excitement Rev. O. A. Skinner's Review of it Temperance Lectures Twenty years' experience Conference at East Cambridge U.S. Convention at Providence Conference at Marblehead Rev. G. E. Channing on Unitarianism, and Mr. Whittemore's comments viu CONTENTS. CHAPTER VH. 1843-1844. AGED 43-44. PAGE Conferences at Danvers, Lynn, Charlestown, Cambridgeport, Salem, East Cambridge Conference Hymn-book Conference at School Street Church At Newburyport Discourse on Modern History of Universalism Answer to the question, Has Universalism changed? Conference at West Cambridge, "\Voburn Massa- chusetts Convention at Plymouth Dedication at Saco, Me. Conference at South Reading Meeting at Winchester, N.H. Rockingham Association Journey to the West Visit to Ni- agara Falls Buffalo U.S. Convention at Akron, 0. Acci- dent returning from Hingham Conferences at Marblehead, Lynn, Danvers Improper singing Massachusetts Convention at Worcester Notice of an accusation Tour to the White Mountains 127 CHAPTER Vm. 1844-1847. AGED 44-47. Paige's Commentary Rev. T. Parker and Unitarians A Glouces- ter veteran Conference at Medford Temperance festival at Acton Denunciation, and Answer to it U.S. Convention in Boston Mr. Emerson on Swedenborg Temperance and some mistakes of its friends Protest of Universalists against Amer- ican Slavery Evils of Fiction-writing Massachusetts Con- vention at Hingham Proposed Reform Association Miracles and Magnetism 37 Cornhill U.S. Convention at Troy, N.Y. Remarks on Convention work Boston Association in Maiden Home Missionary work Statements of Rev. Dr. Pond, and Remarks Criticism of Christian Reflector and Reply A Western editor on Theological Institutions, and Reply 147 CHAPTER IX. 1847-1849. AGED 47-49. Too lively A visit South Reform Association J. Victor Wilson Dr. Bushnell Rockingham Association at Brentwood, N.H. CONTENTS. IX PAGE U.S. Convention at New York John M. Edgarton Duty of an editor Andrew Jackson Davis and his Revelations Boston Association at Lynn Extra Session at Cambridgeport Anti- Sabbath Convention Commentary on the Apocalypse Reform Festival Purity of the Ministry Rockingham Association at Epping, N.H. Ignorance of Universalism Boston Association Christian Progress Too controversial 167 CHAPTER X. 1849-1851. AGED 49-51. The Railroad President Visit to Bath, Me. Anniversary Week Massachusetts Convention Universalism dear to Universal- ists Religious Insanity Visit to the West U.S. Convention at Cincinnati Fugitive-slave Law Notice of book Visit to Montpelier, Vt. Boston Association Bibliotheca Sacra Controversy Suggestion to stop preaching, and Reply Letter of Rev. John Foster Anniversary Week and Reform Asso- ciation Speech Revivals, how regarded Massachusetts Convention in Milford Sabbath at Medford The Bible and Creeds Execution of Dr. J. W. Webster U. S. Convention in Buffalo, N.Y. Niagara Address before Samaritan Society Rev. J. Wesley and Dr. A. Clarke Women's Convention at Worcester Death of Rev. M. Rayner Professor Stuart and his Opinions 186 CHAPTER XI. 1851-1852. AGED 51-52. Sickness Spirit Rappings The name Universalist Services at Milford, Mass. The Papal Church Anniversary Week Festival Editorial Chair Rev. D. Thorn of Liverpool U.S. Convention in Boston A Preacher for England What is New- England Theology? A Journey Layman's Letter College Trustees' Meeting Rev. O. Dewe^'s Lecture Death of Rev. W. Balfour The new College Mrs. Soule's Letter Visit to Washington and other Places Memoir of Rev. W. Balfour CONTENTS. PAGE Lawrence, Mass. Proposal to Dr. Edward Beecher Anniver- sary Week Festival Speeches Massachusetts Convention at Plymouth Elness of Her. Hosea Ballou His Death Criti- cism on Jtev. Walter Colton 211 CHAPTER XH. 1852-1854. AGED 52-54. U.S. Convention at New York Mr. Higginson's Sermon A Ques- tion asked and answered Should Universalists be aggressive? Site of Tufts College Life Sketch by Rev. T. J. Sawyer Sonnet Foot-notes Irish Repartee Death of Rev. Edward Turner Anniversary Meetings Reform Festival Mr. Whit- temore's Speech Rev. Theodore Parker Rev. Dr. Sharp Laying Corner-stone of Tufts College Stale Joke noticed Spiritualism Rockingham Association Preaches in New York Dr. E. Beecher's "Conflict of Ages" Boston Associ- ation Controversy among Brethren Mr. Whittemore on Future Punishment Remarks Professor Maurice Dr. Bal- lou visits Europe Anniversary Week Excitement Festival : Mr. Whittemore's Speech Letter from Rev. T. Clapp Ortho- doxy of the past and present U.S. Convention in Philadelphia E. Kingston, N.H. Warren, Mass. Attack of Paralysis Hard Work Expostulation of Friends 234 CHAPTER XTTT. 1854-1857. AGED 54-57. Tufts College Dr. W. E. Channing Rev. John Moore A Friend's Approval Wesleyan Methodists A Correspondent Professor Stuart Unitarians and Parkerism Mr. Clark's Telescope Anniversary Week Festival ; Mr. Whittemore's Speech Installation of Rev. H. Jewell Revivals under Ed- wards and Whitfield Unqualified preachers Opening of Tufts College Mr. Whittemore's Address Rockingham As- sociation at Brentwood, N.H. U.S. Convention at Middletown, CONTENTS. xi PAGE Ct. South Hampton, N.H. Death of Rev. H. Bacon Anni- versary Week Speech at Reform Meeting Massachusetts Convention at Haverhill Sandown, N.H. Lowell, Mass. Progressive Christianity First Anniversary at Tufts College Connecticut Convention at New Haven Preaches in Carver, Stoneham, Franklin, Plymouth, and Worcester, Mass., and Kings- ton, N.H. Visit to Concord, N.H. Commentary on Book of Daniel Dedication at Maiden Rev. Mr. Finney 266 CHAPTER XIV. 1857-1858. AGED 57-58. Keeping up with the Times Applications to preach Woonsocket, R.I. Anniversary Meetings Address Eight Days' Labor Commencement at Tufts College Address Visit to Connect- icut and the West Niagara again First Visit to Chicago Springfield, 111. U.S. Convention at Chicago Various kinds of Universalists Conference at Roxbury Barnstable Con- ference and Funeral at Salem Conference at Worcester Visit to Rockport, Mass. Conference at Lawrence Middle- boro, Mass. Book of Rev. C. F. Hudson Conference at Cam- bridgeport In Milford, Mass. Address of Rev. E. T. Taylor The Religious Revival Interest of Universalists in it The true Interest urged " Too Much Zeal " Visits to the "Black Sea " in Boston 288 CHAPTER XV. 1858-1859. AGED 58-59. Anniversary Week Speech Orange, Mass. Visit to Vermont Commencement at Tufts Review of Rev. T. Starr King The Old Testament Visit to Norway, Me. Rockingham Association Fitchburg Vermont Convention at Bethel Connecticut Convention at Granby Universalism conducive to Purest Piety U.S. Convention at Providence Sippican, Mass. Ilinsdale, N.H. South Acton, Mass. Conference in Boston In Roxbury Woman Preaching: Mrs. Jenkins Nomination of a Minister for Congress New Bedford Law- rence, Mass. Methuen Conference at Mattapoisett At Worcester Sabbath hi Lowell Rockport Marblehead xii CONTENTS. PAGE Lynn Dr. Ballou's Notice of Mr. Whittemore Manchester, N.H. Dedication Sermon at Cambridgeport North Bridge- water, Mass. Annisquam Interesting Incident Visit to Milford, Mass. Palmer Southbridge Salem The Main Question The Doctorate 310 CHAPTER XVI. 1859-1860. A.GED 59-60. Anniversary Week Festival in Music Hall Father Taylor's Speech Mass. Convention in Milford West Boylston Palmer Norwich Biddeford Thoughts on his Ministry The New Massachusetts Convention Martha's Vineyard Dedication at South Reading Westf ord Stoughton Wey- mouth Doctrinal Sermons Wareham Norfolk Co. Associ- ation Rockport U.S. Convention in Rochester, N.Y. New York Independent on Universalism : Call for Discussion Rev. Adin Ballou : Reciprocal Words Visit to Boxboro', Mass. . Abington Marlboro' What begets Love to God Visits Maine Westmoreland, N.H. Hinsdale Several Sundays Roxbury Claremont, N.H. Sabbaths at Home Lowell : Ill- ness in the Pulpit A Question Considered Adherence to his Faith Rev. C. F. Hudson Anniversary Week Advice of Family and Friends Versus Tobacco Forefathers' Rock Newport, N.H. Isles of Shoals Vermont Convention in Cavendish Agrippa's "Almost" U.S. Convention in Boston Three Ways to Live 332 CHAPTER XVII. 1860-1861. AGED 60-61. Prostrate again His Last Sermon, in Maiden Resolutions from Massachusetts Convention : Reply Expressions of Sympathy Sale of the Trumpet Question, " What am I? " considered Interviews with Friends Revival of Strength Decline The Departure Funeral Services Discourse by Rev. C. A. Skinner Other Tributes to him 368 CHAPTER XVIH. His PERSON AND CHARACTER 872 MEMOIR OF THOMAS WHITTEMORE. CHAPTER I. 1821-1828. AGED 21-28. Autobiography Ancestry in England Recapitulation Acquaint- ance with Rev. Hosea Ballou First Sermon Pastorate at Milford At Cambridgeport The Editor The Preacher Rev. Walter Balfour Discussion with Rev. 0. Scott Visit to the West De- clines Invitation to settle there. THE subject of this Memoir has, in another volume, given us the history of the first twenty-five years of his life. It is a book of much interest, written in a plain, lively, and forcible style, full of such details as will serve to render it popular with a large class of readers for 3~ears to come. Mr. Whittemore, in his " Autobiography," gives his family genealogy in America, beginning with Thomas Whittemore of England, who was in this countiy, and settled in that part of Charlestown since known as Maiden, before 1645. The English genealogy of the Whittemore family is given in the " New England Historical and Genealogical Register," where the ancestor of the family in Massachusetts is seen to be descended from the Whittemores of Kitchen, County of Hereford, England. The name is written Whitemore and "VVhitamor in the Parish Register of the Kitchen Vicarage, from 1562 to 1636, and afterwards Whittemore. 1 i N. E. Hist. & Gen. Reg., April, 1867. 14 MEMOIR OF The Autobiography gives an account of the life of Mr. Whittemore from his birth until a year after his settlement in Cambridgeport, in 1823. To those unacquainted with that part of his history, a brief statement of it may here be given. He was born in Boston, Jan. 1, 1800, in that section of Charter Street that is on Copp's Hill. His parents had ten children, of whom Thomas was the fourth. They were honest toilers, his father a baker, his mother a woman of much energy. It required their constant earnest exertions to sup- port their growing family. Thomas was baptized in Brattle Street Church, twelve days after his birth. His parents were attendants at that Church, and were believers in the modi-rate Calvinism taught there. At the age of seven, he was placed in one of the Common Schools of Charlestown, whither his father had removed two years before. In this school, he acquired all the education he ever received under a teacher, except three months at an evening school just before he was twenty-one, and a few weeks of private tuition after that time. But on this founda- tion he afterwards built himself up, as his subsequent history will show, into a scholar of large attainments. At the age of fourteen his father died, leaving the care of the large family upon his mother. The boy was heedless, though not malicious, and caused the mother much anxiety. He was placed as an apprentice under two or three guardians ; but circumstances were adverse to his continuance with them, until at last he was apprenticed to Mr. Abel Baker, a boot- maker of Boston, to whom he was bound b}' legal indenture and with whom he remained until he was twenty-one. The parents of Mr. Whittemore were professed believers in the common orthodoxy of New England, prevalent in their early days. In the case of their son it produced what THOMAS WHITTEMOftE. 15 it has in manj' other instances, much doubt and scepticism as to the divine authority of the Scriptures. The boy did not find the doctrines preached commendable in the light of his reason, so that he lost his reverence for them, and found his chief attraction in the music of the church service. He at length became connected with the choir of the Universalist Church in Charlestown, and there heard the Rev. Edward Turner, whose ministration drew his attention more closely than ever to the Bible, and to a consideration of the reason- ableness of its teachings. But these were not such deep impressions as he afterwards received. He was subsequently employed on a salary, to play the bass-viol in the First Baptist Church in Boston. While here for two or three years, listening again to the teachings of its minister, some of his old doubts and perplexities of mind returned. Some- time in the last }*ear of his apprenticeship, he became ac- quainted with Rev. Hosea Ballou, who had taken and occupied a part of the house in which Mr. Baker resided. Mr. Whit- temore was anxious to make his acquaintance, which he did in a very modest way ; and soon he found himself a pupil of the reverend gentleman, who, realizing his great desire for mental improvement, kindty consented to aid him in com- pleting his acquaintance with English grammar, to which he had already given some attention. The good man invited the student to write an article for his inspection, that he might point out an}- defects of grammar or punctuation in it, if such there should be. The young man was surprised to see the article soon afterwards in the poet's corner of the Universal- ist Magazine, a semi-monthly sheet edited by Mr. Ballou. This was an indication that possibh* other literary effusions of the new beginner might be given to the public. A new interest was now awakened on the part of Mr. Ballou in reference to the young man. He was empkn'ed as 16 MEMOIR OF a musician in the choir of the School Street UniversaHst. Church. His salary was raised by the change of places, and he was now enabled to listen to the preaching of one in whom he had the highest confidence, and under whose ministry he was led into the acceptance of the faith of the Gospel. There were new Sabbaths for him now since the new light had come in so genially and cheerily upon him. There was music in the pulpit as sweet as any which the choir could send forth, music that uplifted him until he heard it mingling with the celestial anthem, "Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, good will to men ! " He breathed a new air ; he entered upon a new life. The Bible was now to him the clearly spoken "Word of the Eternal One. He had entered upon that highway of the Lord in which the feeblest may walk, and the wayfaring man, though exceedingly ignorant, be guided into all truth. Mr. Ballou asked him one day if he had ever thought of preparing for the ministry. His answer was that he had entertained no such idea. Yet that question opened his mind to the subject. He pondered it, feared it, started back from such presumption ; but still the subject grew upon him. He studied the Bible and the Christian Evidences by Paley, and listened with renewed attention to the preaching of Mr. Ballou. During the summer and autumn of 1820, he de- voted every leisure hour to the study of the Scriptures. Just three weeks before the day of his majority, he preached his first sermon in Roxbury, where the Universalists were then building a meeting-house. His text was Rom. i. 16. " I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." The discourse bad been written on the bootmaker's bench, and stitched together with a waxed-end. But it was a piece of strong work. It was well received. Mr. Ballou heard it, and humorously remarked that there were two good parts of it, THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 17 the text and the amen ! But he meant more than that, and the preacher felt that he did. He gained courage for new efforts. He was known to be poor ; and, at the suggestion of Mr. Ballou to some of his society, means were generously furnished him to defray his expenses for one year. After remaining as a student in the family of Mr. Ballou for three months, he received and accepted an invitation to settle with the society in Milford, Mass. Here he formed an acquaint- ance with Lovice, daughter of John Corbett, Esq., whom he married in September of the same year. While in Milford, the house he occupied was burned to the ground, and his library and household effects were destroj'ed. His young wife was saved by leaping from a chamber window. The material loss he suffered was made up to him by the liberality of Mr. Ballou's society and some other Universalist societies in the neighborhood. After a year's pastorate in Milford, he removed to Cam- bridgeport, on invitation of the Universalist societ}- in that place to become their minister. He was installed there April 23, 1823. His pastoral relations with this society continued for nine years, when, because of the pressure of other duties, he resigned his office as pastor, but ever afterwards during his life remained a resident of the place. It was in the early part of his ministry in Cambridgeport that he became joint editor of the Universalist Magazine, with Rev. H. Ballou and Rev. H. Ballou 2d. His articles usually bore the signature of " W.," but more frequently that of "Richards." He continued in this relation until the enlargement of the Magazine into the Trumpet in 1828. In the mean time, his pulpit labors were often extended be- yond his own parish. He occasionally gave lectures in Maiden, Medford, "West Cambridge, Newton, Quincy, and other places, and preached both on the Sabbath and other 2 18 MEMOIR OF days of the week in many towns in the neighborhood of Boston. In the account of himself in the volume of which we have spoken, the subject of this memoir evidently regarded his life from his youth up as especially providential. There seemed to him to be a Divinity directing his steps. He was led onward into paths he had not dreamed of. His very induc- tion into the ministry was attended with what to him were remarkable surprises. The conviction that he was to become a preacher gained upon him in spite of his wishes. In his own words: "I did not at first desire to preach. It gave me serious apprehensions. I was sensible that I was not prepared for the work. I had not been educated. I was a bootmaker's apprentice, of very humble parentage. My life had not been a religious one. True, I had recently been brought to believe and love the Gospel, so that I could truly say it was meat and drink to me ; but I was conscious that I was not what a clergyman ought to be. My feeling was not caused by fear of persecution or the expectation of any oppo- sition. It was the sense I had of the high calling of a min- ister of the Gospel and my unqualifiedness in every sense. But in this excitement the suggestion never came to my relief, ' Perhaps you will not be a preacher ; ' for it became more and more a fixed fact that such would be my vocation." * In process of time this feeling changed, and he began to be reconciled with what seemed to be the divine purpose in regard to his life. He gave no thought to the question, whether it would be better for his reputation or material profit to become a Christian minister. He felt conscious of the utmost sincerity in his love of the Gospel ; and in this truthfulness, united with much firmness of purpose and strong 1 Autobiog., pp. 192, 193. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 19 reliance in a beneficently directing Providence, he made his way onward and gave in the work of his subsequent years a full and noble proof of his ministry. At the time of his entrance upon his ministry in Cam- bridgeport, the cause of Universalism was in its infancy in Massachusetts. There were not more than a dozen ministers of our faith in the State. The churches of the old " standing order," in company with many of the " new lights " that had come up during the half-century preceding 1820, all set their faces against what they considered this bold and audacious heresy. No language was deemed too strong in which to denounce it, and no means were left unused to set public opinion against it as a doctrine of doubtful and dangerous moral tendency, subversive of true piety and promotive of the rankest infidelit}-. This was what the lovers and de- fenders of our holy faith were obliged to hear on even" hand, when its claims were set up and asserted. This fact, of course, put its ministers almost constantly on the defensive. They were obliged to work like the ancient builders of Jeru- salem, with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other. There are those now living who realize in their own remembrances the truth of these statements. But there are more who have since come up into life who realize but little the hnrdness of the strife then going on, because of the new incoming of this old and primitive Gospel of God the Father in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. To meet this bigoted and often unscrupulous opposition, great firmness, readiness, and resoluteness were needed. " Valiant-hearted men," not afraid of warfare, were called for ; and they" were providentially sent into the field to "vindicate the ways of God to man." and call man to love his brother and serve and imitate his Father in heaven. Among this company of our church-militant we find Mr. Whittemore at the time when he 20 MEMOIR OF seemed to be especially needed, and under circumstances which enabled him to prove his valiant soldiership in the warfare. In bodily strength he was well fitted for his calling. He had great power of endurance, an ardent love of work, and a zeal in his life pursuits that knew no abatement or bound. A preacher adapted to the masses, he rose to a popularity that placed him among the most notable and acceptable public speakers of his time. Another has truth- fully written of him: " Sound, logical, and clear, as an rx- pository writer and preacher, he perhaps has not been excelled in the denomination. As a preacher, he was plain and simple. Without grace or beauty or melod}', his mere elocution was sufficient to produce effects which melody and grace and beauty might h,ave sighed for in vain. A picture that has been drawn of Luther's eloquence may not inaptly be applied to his. ' The homely force of Luther, who, in the language of the farm, the shop, the boat, the street, or the nursery, told the high truths that reason or religion taught, and took possession of his audience by a storm of speech, then poured upon them all the riches of his brave plebeian soul, baptizing every head anew, a man who, with the people, seemed more mob than they.'" 1 At the close of the volume containing his autobiography, Mr. Whittemore gives an account of his own installation at Cambridgeport ; of the part taken by him at the ordination of Rev. Benjamin Whittemore at West Scituate ; of his at- tendance at the Southern Association of Universalists in Stafford, Ct., in June, 1823 ; of his controversy with Rev. Charles Hudson on future punishment ; of his first visit to Atkinson, to Haverhill, as also his first visit to the General Convention at Stratford, Vt., in 1824, on which occasion 1 Funeral Discourse by Rev. C. A. Skinner. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 21 he preached ; of his attendance at the Jubilee Meeting in Gloucester in November of this year, and his first visit to Plymouth, Mass. , in December. We shall proceed from this date with our memoir. During most of the time of his early ministry, Mr. Whit- temore was a very constant contributor to the Universalist Muynzine. In the issue of this paper, May 31, 1823, the annunciation was made of the conversion of Rev. Walter Balfour, a Baptist minister of Charlestown, Mass., to Univer- salism. Mr. Balfour was . formerly a Presbyterian. He was well instructed in the Hebrew and Greek languages, and in sacred literature generally. He brought to America good recommendations from his Christian friends in Scotland, and was kindl}' received by the orthodox churches in Charlestown, where he began his life in America. He was a thoroughly honest man, and held his religious opinions in utmost sin- cerity of heart. His attention was first called to the ques- tion of the extent of the work of salvation, by Christ, while reading the con trovers}' going on in 1819 between Professor Stuart of the Andover Theological Institution and Rev. Dr. Channing, of Boston. The Professor, in opposition to the Doctor, was aiming to prove the equality of Christ with the Father by stating that he was worth}* of the worship of every human being, and ever will be of all souls. In proof of this he cites Phil. ii. 10, and Rev. v. 8, 14, where things in heaven, earth, and under the earth (a periphrasis for the universe) , are said to bow the knee to Jesus, and ascribe blessing and honor and glor}- and power to him. " If this be not spiritual worship," says Professor Stuart, " and if Christ be not the object of it here, I am unable to produce a case where worship can be called spiritual and divine." Mr. Balfour had strong confidence in the ability of Professor Stuart, and was greatly surprised when he read this passage. 22 MEMOIR OF He was almost alarmed. What could such a statement as this signify? The whole universe offering spiritual worship to God and Christ ? Could the Professor mean this ? Would he thus virtually avow the doctrine of Universalism ? He determined to address him a letter stating his anxiety in reference to this subject, and asking an explanation. It was a respectful, candid, earnest letter. He pleads for more light. " Now, my dear sir, if it be true that things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, is a common periphrasis for the universe ; and if it be true that this worship is spiritual and divine, you certainly have told us that the universe is to wor- ship Christ with spiritual and divine worship. The worship is spiritual and divine, and the universe are the worshippers. Are we able to avoid this ? The mind must be differently constituted from mine that can. Is it or can it be believed by any one that any beings in the universe who worship Christ thus shall be punished for ever ? " This his first letter to the Professor appeared in the Universal 'ist Magazine of Jan. 29, 1820, over the signature of "An Inquirer after Truth." He waited patiently and anxiously ; but no answer came. He wrote again and again, from time to time, but still received no word in return. Mr. Balfour's plea became more earnest, and his questions involving scripture exegesis more numerous. Why could he not have a reply to his inquiries ? Was the Professor uncon- cerned as to what he was doing with his pen ? Did he not really care what mischief this statement of his might work, yea, what unspeakable evil, with this inquirer and with others like him ? Was he indisposed to notice newspaper inquiries ? Bound to oppose Universalism, as the creed of the institution to which he had subscribed compelled him to be, why would he not seek to draw this inquirer away from its enticements ? Such were Mr. Balfour's thoughts, and such the thoughts of THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 23 others who kept their eyes upon his published letters. Inquiry after inquiry followed, up to the ninth, which appeared in the Mnytzine for June 16, 1821. For nearly a year and a half had the call been going to Andover for an explanation. The ninth letter elicits a reply from the Professor, which appears in the Mayazine. But it was equivocal, and not at all in keeping with the open-heartedness and straightfor- ward honesty of the inquirer. The Professor, not knowing who the inquirer was, objected to his animadversions be- cause they were anonymous and published in newspapers. Frivolous talk when the eternal interests of souls are at stake, as they are in contact with destructive errors ! Mr. Balfour replied modestly, earnestly still, and manfully, and con- cluded to apply to the Professor for guidance no longer. He took up the examination of the subject with increased interest, became thoroughly persuaded of the truth of the Gospel which certifies that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, issued valuable books in illustration and de- fence of this faith, and devoted his remaining days to the inculcation of it. His whole life was an admirable comment on the holy truth he held. Mr. Whittemore enjoj'ed his acquaintance and companionship until his decease in 1852, and subsequent!}' wrote his biography. 1 In 1825, Mr. Whittemore was present at the Southern Association in South Wilbraham, Mass., and was one of the preachers on that occasion ; and the next year, 1826, he attended the same Association at Dana, on which occasion he preached, and wrote the circular issued by that body. In the Magazine of Dec. 2, 1826, there appeared the first of a written controversy between Mr. Whittemore and 1 Memoir of Kev. Walter Balfour, Author of Letters to Prof. Stuart, and various other Publications. By Thomas Whittemore. Boston : J. M. Usher. 1852. 24 MF.MOIR OF Rev. Orange Scott, at that time minister of the Methodist Church in Charlestown, Mass. The reverend gentleman had sometime previous delivered a discourse against the doc- trine of universal salvation, and in advocacy of the endless punishment of mankind as a doctrine of the Bible. By means of others interested in the matter, Mr. Whittemore had an interview with him, and proposed a fair discussion of the subject on which he had lately preached. He at first declined ; but on being advised that this was improper, inas- much as he considered Universalism a dangerous error, and was therefore under obligation to endeavor to convince those who believed it of the falsehood in which they were trusting, he agreed to discuss the subject. Failing to meet his engagement for some months, he was urgent^- reminded of it, and soon his first communication appeared. One characteristic of the discussion was, that while Mr. Scott's articles, whatever their length, were freel}' placed in the columns of the Magazine, and afterwards republished in Ziori's Herald, the Methodist journal of Boston, not one of Mr. Whittemore's replies could find an insertion in the last- named paper ; a reprehensible unfairness, to use no sharper word, which the defenders of our faith, in controversy with its opponents, have been called to realize in repeated instances. One thing is especially noticeable in this discussion, and that is the perfect coolness with which the exponent of the Methodist theology quoted scripture in proof of a da}- of general judgment and the endless punishment of the wicked, and his general obliviousness to the full and patient exam- ination of his positions made by Mr. Whittemore. He did not seem to be conscious that it was his duty to show hmr his antagonist was a misinterpreter of the Scriptures, instead of moving straight on himself with strings of scriptural quo- tations and statements of his theological opinions, as though THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 25 there was little or no dealing -with them on the part of the defender of Universalism. But this course was not original with him. It was one of the expedients of theological de- baters, conscious of the weakness of their positions. Mr. WMttemore appealed to his opponent. " I must remind you, Mr. Scott, that it does no good simply to quote passages of Scripture. You must show that they apply to a judgment in the future state, or you do nothing at all. This is the point at issue. I am perfectly willing that you should take the advice and receive the assistance of any or all of your min- istering brethren. As I have expected it, so I shall not be disappointed. Let us have the whole strength of your argu- ment against us." As Mr. Whittemore suggested, it was believed by many at the time that, although Mr. Scott was the ostensible author of the communications in the Magazine, he was readily and largely aided by others, his clerical brethren. The dis- cussion was continued for six months or more, and on the part of Mr. AVhittemore was a close and able one. Both sides of the discussion were afterwards republished in the Trumpet. 1 In June, 1827, we find Mr. "Whittemore present at the Southern Association held in Springfield, Mass. ; also in August of the same year in attendance at the Rockingham Association in Eaton, N.II. ; on which occasion he preached twice, and prepared the Circular of the Association. In the latter part of this year, he made his first visit to the West. He left Boston on Monday, October 8th, and went by waj- of Xew London to New York. Unfavorable weather prevented him from reaching the last-named place in season to deliver a lecture which had been appointed for him in the 1 Vols. iii., iv. 26 MEMOIR OF Prince Street Church. He went on to Philadelphia, where he delivered two discourses on the Sabbath. From Phila- delphia he passed on to Baltimore, and from thence, in three and a half da}-s by stage, to Wheeling, Va. Unable from the low water of the Ohio River to fulfil an engagement to preach in Marietta, he jounced through Zanesville, Lan- caster, and Chilicothe, to Cincinnati. The roads were in the worst condition for travelling. On his arrival at Cincinnati, he found that the Universalists of that place were making efforts, although under some dis- couragements, to erect a small church edifice. The congre- gations to whom he was called to preach assembled at the Supreme Court House, and at the Methodist Meeting House, where Rev. Mr. Burke officiated. The large Court room, where he preached three Sabbaths, was crowded to great in- convenience. Throngs were around the doors, and some, on one occasion, were taken in at the windows. " Go at what time I would," he writes, in a letter to the Mag(i:in'\ " the house was crowded, and I had no reason to wait for the appointed hour. I attributed this excitement principally to the fact that our sentiments are new to many here ; to the particular nature of the subjects I had been called upon to discuss ; and to a report which the opponents spread, that one of the clergy intended to attack me. It is probable that some who attended were opponents, and perhaps still remain so ; but the attention of many worthy persons was called up who had not before thought of the subject, and on whose minds an impression highly favorable to our sentiments was made." He learned that the attention of the people in Cincinnati had been called to the subject of Universalism at different times for several years ; that ministers residing in the Wrst and two from the East had occasionally preached there ; that THOMAS WIIITTEMORE. 27 in 1815 an edition of Siegvolk's "Everlasting Gospel" was published there by John Jenkinson, and subsequently an edition of a work by Dr. Joseph Young on Universal Resto- ration. He became acquainted with Mr. Abel M. Sargent, who issued at Cincinnati a small publication entitled the ' Lamp of Liberty," and with Mr. Kid well, who published a monthly paper at Eaton, Ohio, called the " Star in the West." He learned on every hand that the West was an inviting field for the dissemination of the doctrines of the Gospel of Uni- versalism. He knew from the publications of the orthodox sects how anxious they were to occupy this field, and what exertions they were making to this end through the circu- lation of tracts and the sending forth of missionaries from some of the Eastern churches. He was convinced that in this same wide field there were yet rich harvests to be secured by faithful laborers in the name and spirit of our hoi}" faith. During his sojourn in the AVest, he found occasion to circulate man}- Universalist books, among which were Rev. Mr. Bal- four's " Inquiries," the first that had found their way out there. Leaving Cincinnati on the 19th of November, he went to Fredericksburg, Va. , to visit his eldest brother, who had been quite ill of parah'sis. Here he preached by special invitation at the Town Hall, which was filled. But few present were ac- quainted with the doctrine of Universalism, and the preacher adapted his discourse to the circumstances from the text, Acts xvii. 19, 20: "May we hear of thee what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is ? for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears : we would know therefore what these things mean." He preached on the succeeding Tuesday evening, and on Wednesday took his departure for Philadel- phia, where he had been invited to spend two Sabbaths. He here preached seven discourses to large and attentive au- 28 MEMOIR OF diences, and afterwards left for New York. On his arrival there, he preached in the church in Prince Street. He ar- rived home by way of Providence, on the 20th, after nearly three months' absence, during which time he had enjoyed uninterrupted health and travelled a distance of 2,500 miles. While he was away, the pulpit of the Cambridgeport Church was supplied b}- Rev. Joshua Flagg. The result of the visit of Mr. Whittemore to Cincinnati was an urgent call on the part of the Universalist Society of that city for him to become their pastor. The call was duly appreciated, and the preacher was aware of the work he might be able by divine grace to accomplish should he take the new position to which he was invited. But he concluded on the whole to remain in New England ; or rather Provi- dence concluded for him. " There 's a Divinity that shapes our ends." Here was to be the field of his hard and faithful toiling. How well and profitably that field was occupied by him the subsequent pages of this Memoir will declare. THOMAS WU1TTEUORE. 29 CHAPTER II. 1828-1830. AGED 28-30. The Trumpet: its character Visit to Rev. Dr. Emmons Meetings Rockingham Association Preaches at Portsmouth, Exeter, Sterling Meeting in New Hampshire Dr. Lyman Beecher Lowell meet- ings Sunday Mail Question Ancient History of Universalism Meetings Rev. M. Rayner Prof. Stuart's Essay Lectures by Messrs. Merritt and Fisk General Convention at Winchester Unitarian Statement Woburn Modern History of Universalism At Dedharn. IN the beginning of July, 1828, the first number of the new Universalist weekly appeared, entitled the Trumpet and Universalist Magazine, edited by Russell Streeter and Thomas Whittemore. These gentlemen had purchased the Magazine, hitherto pubh'shed semi-monthly in quarto form, had furnished an entire!}- new office, and obtained experienced workmen, that their paper might be issued in an attractive form. The proprietor of the Magazine, Mr. Henry Bowen, at first regarded the step as interfering with his private in- terests. A committee was mutuallj- chosen, who decided that Messrs. Streeter and "Whittemore should take the list of the Magazine, and pay its proprietors $1,250. The Trumpet was a sheet of royal size, published every Saturday at Boston, George AY. Bazin, printer. 1 1 The name of Mr. Bazin appears on the Trumpet as its printer, for more than thirty years. He was a master in his business, and took a deep interest in the paper and in the cause of Universalism, and was ex- 30 MEMOIR OF The name of the paper, as it original!}- occurred to Mr. Whittemore, was attractive. The editors say that it was given for three reasons. 1. It was a short title; 2. It was one by which the paper would be easily distinguished from other religious publications, it having never been used to their knowledge as the title to any other Christian journal ; and 3. It was in special conformity to their design. k - \Vi> announce intelligence, we point out dangers, and excite the apprehensions of the community, and communicate a knowl- edge of the Gospel of God's grace. The trumpet was an instrument used in the religious observances of the Jews ; and by figure the sounding of the trumpet is put for the preaching of the Gospel. ' Let every mortal ear attend, And every heart rejoice ; The trumpet of the Gospel sounds With an inviting voice.' " The editors say: "The divine command to the children of Israel was, ' In the day of your gladness and in your solemn days, ye shall blow with the trumpet.' We are reminded too that we must use great plainness of speech ; ' for if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle.' Should we be called on to say that there is an increased attention to religion, that dormant societies are tensively known in the denomination. He lived to the age of seventy- sevcn. Kev. Dr. Patterson said of him in his Centennial Discourse at Portsmouth, N.H., in 1874, that he had probably "put in type more arguments in vindication and illustration of our faith than any other man that ever lived." Mr. Henry Bowen had been the printer of the Uniri-rtulixt Maga- zine, from its first appearance. He too was one of the steadfast friends of our church cause, and lived to an advanced age. He \vas deacon in the Shawmut Universalist Church in Boston, at the time of his decease, in 1874. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 31 awakened to new zeal, or that the morall}* dead have heard the joyful sound of the Gospel, have come into possession of life and peace, by what means can this resurrection of the dead be better announced than by the sounding of the trum- pet?" And so, in subsequent issues of the paper, the words of the old prophet appeared under its heading, in the centre of which was the flying angel, " Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain." 1 The editors furthermore say, "We retain the name Universalist Maga- zine, because our publication is to be what we promised it should, a Universalist publication. We venerate the name as that of the oldest Universalist paper now existing in the United States. And the Trumpet and Universalist Maga- zine is to be a continuation of the original paper, under an enlarged form and in a new series." Later in life, on being reminded by a brother editor of his prosperity and wealth, he takes occasion to say: "When I began the Trumpet, I urged my ministering brethren in Bos- ton and vicinity to take hold with me on equal terms ; and they were afraid, with the exception of Brother Russell Streeter. These were days of peril. I mortgaged the very house that sheltered m}' family to secure the debts I was obliged to con- tract. Nobody had, up to that time, become rich by pub- lishing Universalist books and papers ; and very few, if any, have done it since. But if a man in the day when I com- menced, and when the wisest of his brethren dared not take the slightest pecuniary risk with him, could get rich in pub- lishing Uuiversalist books and papers, it is a matter that should be spoken to his credit."' 2 The new paper was received with great favor by the Uni- versalist public, and by many others who were sincerely 1 Joel ii. 1. 2 Trumpet, April 3, 1847. 32 MEMOIR OP inquiring after religions truth. It met an existing want. Subscribers came in on every hand. Contemporary papers, both religious and secular, gave it hearty meetings. Its columns were lively and full of terse and strong reasoning. Each issue was largely original ; for the editors in their work had the s3 - mpathies of their fellow-ministers and of the laity of the Universalist churches warmly enlisted on their side. The tone of the paper was lo}-al to the cause it professed to espouse. It was wholly committed to the promulgation of Christian Universalism the truth that "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself ; " Christian Universalism in all of its presentations, whether held by those who believed with Murray in the Trinit}-, with Winchester in the future punishment of the wicked, or with Ballou in the Divine Unit}' and the silence of the Scriptures as to the punishment of transgression beyond the present life. The Paternity of God and the Brotherhood of Man ; the pres- ent blessedness of obedience and afflictiveness of sin ; the rising of the race from mortality to immortality ; the right of free religious inquiry, and the great need of the just exer- cise of this right ; the exposure of religious error, fraud, and priestcraft, whether Protestant or Catholic ; the commenda- tion of the Gospel of Universalism as the Bible reveals it, in vindication of the Divine character and as the surest antidote of that infidelity engendered by false theologies under the Christian name, these were the chief topics to which the Trumpet gave its constant and untiring attention. The plainness and freedom of speech evinced in the paper were notable. It was, of course, deemed by many who ad- hered to the old theology as too presumptive and invvrrmt in questioning the claims of its defenders. It gave no re- spectful heed to what their ipse dixit might be ; it would acknowledge no extra privilege of real or assumed sanctity THOMAS WH1TTKMORE. 33 on the part of opponents who, instead of offering argument in support of their opinions, were more ready to assume a solemn interest in the eternal welfare of the one they deemed heretical. Often was this disposition encountered on the part of this new " defender of the faith ; " but just as often was the needed and firm admonition given, " not warning, not intimidation, but argument, brothers, argument! To the law and to the testimony ! " Three months after the commencement of the Trumpet, Mr. Streeter retired from the joint ownership, receiving as compensation for his portion of the property a sum mutually agreed upon. The sole responsibility as editor now devolved on Mr. Whittemore, and most faithfully was it sustained through subsequent years, until his surrender of his editorial work in 1860. Not only as editor but as proprietor of the paper was his work well and successfully pursued. He looked carefully and constantly after his subscription-list ; appointed none for agents in whose ability and fidelity he had not strong confidence ; kept his watch-care over those conscience- less ones, so afflictive to many newspaper publishers, who become subscribers without much thinking or caring whether they shall ever pay for their papers. To all such he was a vexation in the short work which he often made with them ; while towards those who through misfortune were unable to be as prompt in pa}'ment as their honesty desired, he Avas tenderly considerate and generous. In the summer of this year, passing through Franklin, Mass., Mr. Whittemore gratified himself with a call upon Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Emrnons, one of the most distinguished representatives of the Calvinism of the past, and still living as pastor of the parish over which he had been settled during fifty-four }*ears. The venerable man, now eighty-five, after having been informed by his visitor as to his name, residence, 3 34 MEMOIR OF occupation, doctrine, and object in calling, gave him a very cordial reception. He expressed his satisfaction in meeting with strangers who were open and free in avowing their sen- timents in religion, and the disgust with which he frequently witnessed the prevarications of men of different denomi- nations, not excepting some of his own order. He spoke with much freedom on what he considered the innovations made upon the old doctrines and methods of the Calvinistic churches of New England by such men as Dr. Lynian Beecher and others, who, he feared, were attempting to effect a change in the system they once accepted, without having the honesty to acknowledge it outright. It had been re- ported, he said, that he was inclined to Universalism, or was already at heart of that sentiment, but unwilling to have it known. He denied the imputation, and said he hoped the Universalists had too much sense and honest}" to claim him on their side if he would be such a hypocrite as to conceal his real sentiments. Mr. Whittemore assured him that his position was well understood by Universalists, and that, differing widely in some respects as they did from him in their religious sentiments, they honored him for the sincerity with which they believed he held his own. The interview seems to have been a very agreeable one to both partii-*. Since that tune the religious aspect of things in Franklin has been much changed. Where, in the day of Dr. Emmons's pastorate, there was none to dispute his sole oversight of the one Calvinistic church there, other sects have taken their places, and a Universalist Church and richly endowed Acad- emy, founded by Dr. Oliver Dean of that place, now occupy the grounds once in possession of the venerable divine hiin- self. On Wednesday, July 23, Mr. Whittemore attended the service of Recognition of the Universalist Church in Water- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 35 town, and preached the sermon on the occasion. Rev. Messrs. Streeter of Boston, Jones of Gloucester, and Cobb of Maiden, assisted in the services, which were appropriate and impressive. On Wednesday, July 30, Rev. Sylvanus Cobb was installed as pastor of the First Church of Christ in Maiden. This was the original first orthodox parish of the town ; but the majority now in it had resolved that the ministry of Christian Universalism should henceforth be sustained by them and those inclined to aid them in their work. Mr. Cobb was their first choice as pastor. He had come from a successful pastorate in Waterville, Me., and proved himself in succeed- ing years in Massachusetts and throughout New England an able Christian preacher, writer, and advocate of the promi- nent reforms of the times. Mr. Whittemore offered the Prayer of Installation ; Rev. S. Streeter of Boston preached the Sermon. Rev. Messrs. H. Ballou, W. Balfour, and R. Streeter took other parts in the services. The Rockingham Association of Universalists was held this j'ear in August at Kingston, N.H. Most of the services were in the old meeting-house on " the plains." There was a large attendance, especially on the last day. The weather was very favorable, and the meetings were of great interest to many who attended them. Mr. Whittemore preached on the evening of the first day. from Haggai ii. 6, 7, the shak- ing of the heavens and the earth, and the coming of the Desire of all nations. Rev. Hosea Ballou preached to a large and deeply attentive congregation, on the afternoon of the last day. There are those now living (and the writer is one of them) who will have occasion while life lasts to remember with gratitude and thanksgiving to God the effects upon them of the meetings of that session of the Rockingham Association. 36 MEMOIR OF The installation of Rev. Thomas F. King as pastor of the First Universalist Church in Portsmouth, N.H., took place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, of this year. The discourse on the occasion was delivered by Rev. S. Streeter, a former pastor of the church. Mr. Whittemore gave the right hand of fellowship to the pastor, and preached in the evening. It was a day of much interest to the Portsmouth parish : Mr. King proved to be a highly acceptable and honored minister in that place. He was the father of Rev. Thomas Stan- King, who was but a lad when he came with his parents from Hudson, N.Y., his birthplace, to the "old town by the sea." On the next evening after the day of installation in Ports- mouth, Mr. Whittemore preached for the first time in Exeter, N.H., in the Court House, to quite a large audience, on the Universalist faith and the profession of it. It was a forcible and scriptural discourse, and was, by special request of the hearers, afterwards published in the Trumpet of Jan. 17, 1829. On Sunday, Nov. 16, Mr. Whittemore preached in Sterling, Mass. It was his first visit to that town. The pastor of the society there was a Unitarian. It had been supposed that he would consent to the admission of the Universalist into his pulpit ; but he was unwilling to, and the Uuiversalists there- fore held their meeting in the town-house, a commodious building, capable of seating nearly three hundred people. The hall was closely filled. Passing on from this phire through New Hampshire to Springfield, Vt., he attended according to previous appointment, a two days' meeting of tin- I'niversalists in that place. During the meetings, Mr. Whittemore preached twice, and other discourses were deliv- ered by Rev. Messrs. J. Moore, S. C. Loveland, R. Bartlett, and W. Skinner. THOMAS WH1TTEMORE. 37 The attention of the Universalist churches in and about Boston was at this time called to the expressed opposition of Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher to their faith. He had delivered a course of lectures against it in his own church in Boston, some of which he had repeated in other churches in the neigh- borhood. The Trumpet call was made upon him to give them to the public through the press. It was understood that he had stated his intention to do this. But long waiting had caused some impatience on the part of those who most desired to greet them. Mr. Whittemore thus appeals to him : ' My object in this letter, Rev. Sir, is to call on you for a fulfilment of your long-neglected promise. If there are justi- fiable reasons for your delinquency in this particular, the columns of this paper are at your sen-ice, that b}- a statement of these reasons 3-011 may satisfy a disappointed public. It is our ardent wish that you give us the sermons." These, however, were not forthcoming. The author did not seem inclined to give them publicity. But he was vigorously fol- lowed up, and in due time there appeared in the Trumpet a very searching review by Mr. Whittemore of one of these discourses taken down l>y a stenographer at Dorchester. We shall speak of it further on. The dedication of the new Universalist Meeting-house in Lowell, took place on Nov. 27, of this year. Rev. Hosea Ballou preached the sermon on this occasion. In the after- noon of the same day, Rev. Eliphalet Case was installed as pastor of the society; the sermon was delivered by Mr. Whittemore from 2 Tim. iv. 5, "Do the work of an evan- gelist." Rev. T. F. King preached in the evening. In the beginning of 1829, public attention was called to the subject of the running of the mail upon the Sabbath. Numerous memorials and petitions were sent to Congress, praying that the carrying of the mail on the Sabbath might 38 be stopped. The plan originated in New York. It had the appearance of much propriety and fairness, and was regarded by many professing Christians of the more popular sects as a measure accordant with the religion they professed. But there were many others equally attached to Christianity, who were not inclined to favor the measure. They thought they saw in it a sectarian movement rather than one intended for the benefit of the nation. Mr. Whittemore gave much atten- tion to this subject in the columns of his paper. He copied into it the popular report of Colonel R. M. Johnson in opposi- tion to the Orthodox memorialists, and stated in strong terms his own objections to their course. His review of the peti- tion signed by prominent citizens of Boston, was a close and searching one. 1 He thought that there might be quite as much to fear from the evils of a dominant religious sectarian- ism in the country as from the revolution of the wheels of a mail-coach on the Sabbath. The petitions for the new meas- ure were not successful, and after a tune the movements in behalf of it ceased. There was issued from the press of Marsh, Capen, and Lyon of Boston, at the opening of this same year, a work which had for some time been promised and anxiously looked for, entitled, "The Ancient History of Universalism, from the tune of the Apostles to its Condemnation in the Fifth General Council, A.D. 553 : with an Appendix, tracing the Doctrine down to the Era of the Reformation." By Hosea Ballou 2d, Pastor of the Universalist Society in Roxbury. This volume was the result of great labor and patient research on the part of its author, and opened up to the Christian public a new revelation in the field of ecclesiastical history. No man was better calculated, from his love of historical i Trumpet, Vol. I., No. 29. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 39 research, habits of accurate and close thinking, scholarly attainments, and devotion to the Universalist faith, than Mr. Ballou, to take hold of this work and make it a success in his hands. Previous to its appearing, but little was known of the advocacy of Universalism after the days of the apostles. The names of Origen and a few others were identified with it ; but other historians had not made its history a specialty until this new explorer and examiner appeared and shed the broad light of day where before there was almost midnight dark- ness. Mr. Whittemore said of it, in a" review in the Trumpet : "There are very few who will be able to estimate the labor which this volume has cost its author. This may in justice be considered the first attempt of the kind. In such an un- dertaking, the author enters a field boundless on every side, without index or guiding star, in which no footstep is seen ; and here he is to seek the object of his pursuit. . . . The denomination of Universalists is laid under the most weighty- obligations to Mr. Ballou for the labor he has performed." The author of this history clearly shows that of all the early " Christian Fathers," so called, not one condemned the Universalist sentiment, although it was believed and defended among them ; that orthodox bishops of greatest renown main- tained it openly and zealousry, without receiving censure or losing their popularity ; and that it was not until about A.D. 400 that it was denounced as an error. Another fact brought to light was, that the word rendered in the Scriptures "everlasting" was familiarly and commonly used in the first three or four centuries to signify limited duration, and was applied ven- frequently to punishment by the Universalists of that period. Reviewers of ecclesiastical histoiy since the appearing of this volume have been very careful in their notices of it to contradict none of the statements ; and more recent explorers of the same field have not only corroborated 40 MEMOIR OF the truth of the statements of its author, but have presented new and striking evidences of the wide prevalence and salu- tary Christian influence of the Universalist faith in these ancient days, especially in the third centur}-. 1 Mr. Whittemore was present and preached at the meeting of the Southern Association in Hartford, Ct., May 20 and 21 ; also, at the New Hampshire Association, in Sutton, N.H., on the 27th and 28th of the same month of this year. On the 4th of June, he attended the installation of Rev. L. 8. Everett as pastor of the Universalist Church in Charlestown, Mass., and gave him the right hand of fel- lowship. At the close of the first volume of the Trumpet, in June, the publishing office was removed to No. 40 (south side), Market Street, corner of Franklin Avenue. The editor states, in the last issue of this volume, "The patronage we have received thus far has exceeded any expectations we had formed at the commencement of our undertaking ; a circum- stance which has given vigor to all our operations, attractive- ness to the paper, and satisfaction to all parties concerned." On Wednesday, July 15, the Universalist meeting-house in Hanson, Mass., was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Mr. AVhittemore. During this month, Rev. Menzies Ray- ner, pastor of the Universalist Society in Hartford, Ct., visited Boston and its neighborhood, and received a warm 1 The statement of these facts is made with great clearness and can- dor in a series of articles by Dr. Edward Beecher, published in the New York Christian Union, Vol. VIII., No. 10. Speaking of Mr. Ballou's "Ancient History," Dr. Beecher says: "The work is one of decided ability, and is written with great candor and a careful examination of authorities. In our opinion, it would benefit Mr. Lecky and Prof. Shedd attentively to consider all the facts and authorities presented in it." These last named gentlemen had written on the subject of llestora- tionism in the early churches. THOMAS WniTTEMORE. 41 welcome from his Universalist friends. He was then a recent comer from the Episcopalian into the Universalist church. He had stood well with his brethren of the former church, and made good and effective proof of his ministry in the new church relations upon which he had entered. He was then past the middle age of life ; a bright, strong man, an acute thinker, a well-read theologian, and a preacher of uncommon energy. A discourse which he preached during this visit, at Cambridgeport, on "Apostolic Fidelity," heard by Mr. "VVhitte- more, was published in the Trumpet, of Aug. 8, 1829. The attention of the Universalist public was called about this time to an article in the Spirit of the Pilgrims, of Bos- ton, from the pen of Professor Moses Stuart, of Andover, an essay on the Greek words aiwv and aiwvios, especially in their uses as expressive of the duration of future punishment. The essay had, doubtless, been called out in consequence of the increasing interest in the great question of the final destiny of the human family, and especially because of the pressure of the able inquiries of the professor from the pen of Mr. Balfour. Mr. Whitternore, in a short editorial review of the essay, expresses a hope that Mr. Balfour will take it up and lay its character before the public, a work which that sin- cere and honest inquirer afterwards accomplished, to his own credit and for the good of the Christian public. In a leading editorial of the Trumpet for September 12th of this year, is a review of " A Discussion on Universal Sal- vation, in three Lectures, and Five Answers against that Doc- trine ; by Rev. Timothy Merritt. To which are added, Two Discourses on the same subject, by Rev. Wilbur Fisk, A.M." These lectures, as it was stated by a Xew York paper at the time, were the substance of a public debate which took place in Springfield, Mass., between Rev. Messrs. Merritt and Fisk. and Rev. Lucius R. Paige, pastor of the Uuiversalist 42 At E M 01 R OF Society in that place. Mr. Whittemore gave attention to the substance of these discourses, and especially to the uncandid and foolish classing of Universalists with Deists, evidently to bring the more discredit on Universalists in the eyes of other Christian believers. " If men are Deists," said Mr. Whitte- more, "who believe in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world, who hold to the resurrection of all the human race to a state of immortality and incorruption, then are Universalists Deists ; and, we may add, then was St. Paul a Deist. But, if these men are not Deists, then do Messrs. Merritt and Fisk stand before the world guilty of misrepresentation and slander." Mr. Merritt had said, " If they (Universalists) deny this charge, let them meet us fairly. Let them show, by facts and arguments, wherein we are deceived, and wherein we misrepresent them." "Facts and arguments!" replies Mr. \Vhittemore; "what does Mr. M. mean by calling for facts and arguments? There is nothing he so totally abhors. In his controversy with Mr. Ballon, what was it besides facts and arguments that confounded him? Universalists have been giving this man facts and arguments for ten years, and what good has it all done ? What attention did he pay to the facts and arguments offered to Rev. Orange Scott, whom he assisted in a controversy about three years since? What attention did he give to the facts and arguments furnished by Rev. Mr. Paige, in reply to his lectures in Springfield against Universalism? This call for facts and arguments is, in our opinion, a pretence. If he is really disposed to deal in tacts and arguments, we call on him for the proof that Universal ists reject the inspiration of the Bible ; that the}' treat experi- mental religion with contempt, and sneer at piety ; that they pretend to a superior order of intellect ; that they over- look the arguments of their opponents, and assert what lias been confuted again and again ; and that the}' employ arts of THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 43 sophistry in support of their cause. We call for proof of this, we say." In September of this year, Mr. Whittemore was in attend- ance at the session of the General Convention, held at Win- chester, N.H. In the issue of the Trumpet, Nov. 7, he thus notices an article in the Christian Register, from its editor, who had stated, " Unitarians are not to be called Uni- versalists, for they regard the doctrine of the Universal Res- toration, although they believe it, of very little importance," deeming other articles of faith of far more consequence. " It is then a certain fact that our liberal brethren, the Uni- tarians, feel very little interest whether all mankind are saved or not ; and although some of them think that perhaps they may and probably will be, yet that this is a matter of small importance. Well, as this is a fact, we will add our testi- mony to Mr. Reed's, that there is a considerable difference between Unitarians and Universalists ; for we believe, with the good and great Mrs. Barbauld, that unity of character in what we adore is much more essential than unity of person. We often boast, and with reason, of the purity of our religion as opposed to the grossness of the theology of the Greeks and Romans, but we should remember that cruelty is as much worse than licentiousness as Moloch is worse than a Satyr." On Wednesday, Dec. 23, the Universalist Meeting-house in Woburn was dedicated, and Rev. Otis A. Skinner installed as pastor of the society. Mr. Whittemore addressed the society on this last-named occasion. In the beginning of 1830, the "Modern History of Uni- versalism," from the pen of Mr. Whittemore, appeared. He had been upwards of five years in collecting materials for the work, steadily pursuing his purpose without regard to labor or expense. It was, in fact, a continuation of the " Ancient History " by Mr. Ballou, taking up the subject where it was 44 MEMOIR OF left bj the author of that work, and bringing it down to the then present time. The volume contained a copious index, prepared with great care. The work met with commendations from those most inter- ested in its appearance and character. Mr. Ballou, the author of the "Ancient History," said of it: " Though somewhat acquainted with the subject beforehand, I found my previous calculations exceeded by the successful collection of materials from an unexplored field, whose extent, bounded only b}~ the uncertain limits of modern literature, was enough to dis- courage research. I met with a mass of important infor- mation to me entirely new. So far as I can discover, the important facts in every part of the history appear substan- tiated either by unquestionable documents or by adequate and convincing proofs." Rev. T. J. Sawyer in the Ninth Annual Report of the Universalist Historical Society speaks of the work : ' ' Great praise is due Mr. Whittemore for the manner in which he executed his task. Though less com- plete than the ' Ancient History,' it is still a noble monument of its author's industry and research. In this department of our history the sources of information were much more numerous and lay scattered more widely. When I consider the time when it was written, and the very little attention that had then been paid to the subject, I cannot but regard the ' Modern History ' as remarkable for the variety and gen- eral accuracy of its information." And he justly adds : " In- significant as the denomination of Universalists may now appear in the eyes of the world, it is not to be doubted that the tune is coming when it will occupy in this country and throughout all Christendom a much more commanding posi- tion, and men will ask for the beginning of what they shall then see, and love to read the story of our present struggles and victories." The "Modern History" was afterwards THOMAS WHITTEMOEE. 45 enlarged and greatly improved by Mr. "Whittemore, and one volume of it published in 1860. His death, which took place soon afterwards, interrupted his further labors, and the second volume has not yet appeared. On Thursday, Jan. 14, the new Universalist Meeting- house in Dedham, Mass., was dedicated, and Mr. Whitte- more preached the sermon on the occasion. 46 MEMOIR OF CHAPTER III. 1830-1833. AGED 30-33. Dr. E. S. Ely and Universalists Dr. Lyman Beecher's opposition Rev. Mr. Atkinson's ordination Dr. Ely's Reply to Mr. Whittemore, and Answer to it General Convention at Lebanon, N.H. Dedi- cation at Annisquam Mr. Whittemore's resignation at Cambridge- port Elected representative Third Article of Bill of Rights Mr. Whittemore's course and speech Alteration effected His interest in the town of Cambridge Anecdote Controversy with Universalists, how to be carried on Rockingham Association Gen- eral Convention at Barre, Vt. Nominated for the Senate Notes on the Parables McClure's Lectures on Ultra-Universalism Singular concession of the author Rockingham Association Journey of a week New edition of Murray's Life Services in South Boston Journey to New Hampshire Ordination at Rumney Meeting at Wentworth, at Concord, at Sandown. ONE of the leading editors of the religious journals of the country at this time was Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely, editor of the Philadelphian, a Presbj'terian journal. In an article of the editor, he attempts to show what Professor Stuart had, not long before, stated, that Universalists are not Christians, and ought not to be entitled to the privilege of testifying by oath in courts of justice. He, moreover, very seriously cal- culates that in the course of thirty years, by means of church and home and Sabbath-school training, the so-called cvaiiu'clical sects of the country will be able by vote to con- trol its interests, and thus keep out from public oflice all men whose opinions do not accord with their own. 31 r. Whitte- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 47 more copies the article entire into the Trumpet, reviews it fairly, and administers to the writer of it, as well as to those who would approve of its sentiments, the reproof which it so evidently deserved. It was a sturdy talk, and the Rev. Doctor must have felt its force. The discourse against Universalism, which Dr. Lyman Beecher had been promising for some tune to repeat, was, at the urgent request of the Universalists of Dorchester, de- livered in one of the Congregational churches of that town, on Wednesday evening, March 17. Mr. Whittemore with others, his friends, attended and heard it. Full notes were taken, and the discourse was published iu the Trumpet, fol- lowed by a close and thorough examination of it by Mr. Whittemore. The relative merits of the two discourses can be very soon decided by any reader disposed to examine the Trumpets of April, 1830. They were issued together in pam- phlet at the time. On Thursday, April 29, Rev. Joseph P. Atkinson was in- stalled as pastor of the Universalist Society in Hingham, Mas-;. ; sermon by Mr. Whittemore. A long letter from Dr. E. S. Ely, in reply to Mr. Whitte- more's examination of his article in the Philadelphian, ap- peared in the Trumpet of May 15. In the next issue, Mr. Whittemore replied to the Doctor at length, reviewing his statements respecting Calvinism, in which the Doctor had represented himself as holding a Calvinism quite different from the original theology of that name, and congratulating him on his approach towards Universalism. The Doctor had given Mr. Whittemore most earnest exhortations to embrace Orthodoxy, because of its safety. Mr. Whittemore favors his brother with an equally fervent plea in behalf of Universalism, because of its pre-eminent claims on the reason and con- science of mankind. 48 MEMOIR OF In September of this year, Mr. Whittemore attended the General Convention held at Lebanon, N.H. On his way he preached to a large congregation in Mason Village, and on his return, in Sutton and Bradford, N.H. The Convention was largely attended, and five discourses were preached during its session, one of them by Mr. Whittemore. He also wrote the Circular Letter. The Boston Association also held its annual session in Cambridgeport, Dec. 8. Mr. Whittemore was appointed to prepare the minutes with a Circular Letter for publi cation. On Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1831, the new meeting-house in Annisquam, Mass., was dedicated. Mr. Whittemore preached the sermon. The old house had stood upon the same ground one hundred and two years. Rev. Mr. Leonard, who had been settled as a Congregationalist minister, but had em- braced the Universalist faith and was sustained by his con- gregation, was pastor at the time. He had been settled there twenty- five years. In March of this year, Mr. Whittemore tendered his resig- nation as pastor of the society in Cambridgeport. He had for some time been conscious that his many duties as editor and publisher of a weekly paper seriously interfered with the regular performance of his parochial work, thus depriving the societj* of one great aid to their prosperity. Notwith- standing their desire for him to prolong his services among them, he deemed it wrong to consent to sustain an office the duties of which he was conscious that he could but partially fulfil. He expressed his intention to work more freely and extensively as an evangelist, preaching in different places as his services might be desired. In May following his resignation as pastor at Cambridge- port, he was elected a representative to the State Legislature from Cambridge. He continued to serve the town in this THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 49 capacity for several years, and rendered very acceptable ser- vice to the town and State. He took a prominent part in effecting a change in the Third Article of the Bill of Rights or Constitution of Massachusetts. This article provided for the compulsory support of religion ; that is, it made religion a matter of state, and provided for its support by law. Mr. AVhittemore, like Jefferson and Madison and others, believed that the support of religion might be safely trusted to the piety and good sense of the public. He moved the reference of certain petitions to a select committee, of which he was made chairman, a place that he held through three successive sessions. The first year, 1831, the amendment passed the House by a vote of two-thirds, but was lost in the Senate. The next year it passed through both branches of the Legis- lature by a vote of two thirds in the House and a majority in the Senate, without which a change in the Constitution could not take place. The Constitution also required that it should pass both branches a second year, which was done in 1833. It was then submitted to the people and was adopted by a large majority. As Mr. AVhittemore was deeply interested in this subject, it was expected that he would addi'ess the House in advocacy of the alteration. This he did with great earnestness and effect. Expressing regret that it had fallen to him among his other numerous engagements to take the lead in this movement of reform, he proceeded to show at some length the character of the petitions received and the reasons as- signed by the petitioners for the change they asked. A little space here cannot be better occupied than with a few extracts from the speech, which was somewhat extended : " For one, Mr. Whittemore thought it worthy of consideration, whether the civil power can, with propriety, interfere in the con- cerns of religion to compel people to support it. Jesus Christ never 4 50 MEMOIR OF designed that his religion should be supported by the civil power. He did not apply to the civil power for support ; he never had the support of the civil power, but was always opposed to it. And, furthermore, he has left no directions to his followers to seek this aid. A man's views of piety, religion, and morality, are a concern solely between his conscience and his God. He is not accountable for them to civil government unless he disturbs the public peace. Our common Master did not hold himself accountable to Jewish law in this respect. " Men whom we should call political religionists, answer this argu- ment as follows: ' That government has a right to legislate on that which tends to the public good, and that we may legislate on relig- ion for the same reason that we may legislate concerning schools. Every man is obliged to pay taxes for the support of the public schools, not excepting him who has no children, because these schools are for the public good, and he, indirectly at least, enjoys the benefit of them. For the same reason every man should be compelled to support religion, for he enjoys the benefit of the religious state of society, though he never attends public worship.' Mr. Whittemore, in reply, said that religion and education arc two entirely different things. So long as a man's religion does not disturb the public peace, the laws have nothing to do with it. But education is a fair subject of human legislation. On this all the citizens are agreed, they are not split into innumerable sects, A\ ith a thousand conflicting interests and prejudices, and no one's conscience suffers violence. " ' But (said Mr. Whittemore) the argument that pure religion tends to the stability of government goes to show that we should not establish it by law. The way to keep religion pure is to leave it to the free will of the people. Xo religion but that which is voluntary can s sectarian engines, we shah 1 leave them and form temperance societies of our own. They have already injured the temper- ance cause in this way more than they are aware of; and we entreat them to pursue a different line of conduct." In June of this year, Mr. Whittemore visits Maine. Preach- ing at Brunswick on the Sabbath through the day, and at Topsham village in the evening ; and delivering a temperance THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 77 lecture on Monda}- evening in the Orthodox church at Bruns- wick, to a very large audience, including the professors and students of the college, he proceeded to Bowdoinham to at- tend the Maine Convention. The session was a bus}' one, and the public religious services were attended by a large con- course of people. "On the last day," writes Mr. Whittemore, "every pew and avenue in the house was crowded ; but there was the most devout attention. It was from beginning to end a season of holy feeling, of Christian triumph and joy." Mr. AVhitte- more afterwards wrote to a friend, of the Convention : " The sen-ices, so far as I can rightly speak of them, were rich in Gospel truth and feeling. G , who never made me shed tears before, caused me to weep freely. Excellent man ! T and A preached excellent sermons. And most of the preaching in its practical appeals was to me, for I was the most guilty one there. Who is under greater obligation, and yet less thankful ? * Oh for grace our hearts to soften ! ' . . . The unhapp}' mariner whose ship is locked up amidst floating mountains of ice, and who, as far as his eye can reach, sees no avenue of escape, must feel something as I do at tunes when I see the coldness of many Universalists. I want to get away from this ice. We must have a new state of things. Awake, ye sleepers ! Come, Lord, with Thy quickening power upon us ! " A reminiscence of this Con- vention is given by Rev. E. G. Brooks, D.D., who was pres- ent at the meetings, and thus describes the last one, when Mr. Whittemore preached: "The day was beautiful. The house was packed. A daughter of Father Barnes and a brother of Elhanan Winchester were present. Every thing conspired deeply to affect the preacher, and to put him into his best condition. The theme was, ' Jesus and the Resur- rection,' a familiar and favorite one with him ; and, unfold- 78 MEMOIR OF ing it he warmed and rose with it, taking us upward with him, until, at an appointed place, the two representatives of the departed patriarchs stood up amidst the people. No man knew better than he how to use such material as was thus furnished ; and, as he addressed the standing ones, recount- ing what the Fathers had done and suffered, and apostro- phizing them in their ascended life, wearing the crowns they had so nobly won, the whole assembly was dissolved iu tears, and he swayed us as a forest is swayed in the wind." l After the Convention, he returned to Brunswick, where he had engaged to lecture on Friday evening. The Baptist Society had generously offered the use of their house for the occasion, but so intense was the opposition of their minister to the course, that he threatened to leave the town if the meeting was held according to this appointment. For the sake of peace, the Universalists chose to occupy their own house, although it was small. It was filled and running over. The temperance address on the previous Monday evening had left a very strong impression in the place. From Brunswick he went to Yarmouth and Westbrook, and gave an evening lecture hi Saccarappa village. The succeeding Sabbath was spent in Portland, where Mr. Whittemore preached in the Universalist church, of which Rev. M. Rayner was pastor. On Wednesday, July 8, he preached the sermon at the dedication of the new meeting-house in West Haverhill, Mass. In reply to a statement which had been made by one or two orthodox journals, that Mr. Whittemore was an enemy to Dr. Beecher, he makes these remarks: "When the Trumpet was commenced in 1828, we know that some consid- erable attention was paid to Dr. Beecher, particularly by one or two correspondents. We certainly had no rancorous feel- 1 Universalist Quarterly, July, 1877. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 79 ing towards him, as the Doctor himself will, we believe, cheer- fully confess. The Doctor and the editor of the Trumpet in days past have had several very pleasant interviews : we have prayed together ; we have conversed on the subject of relig- ion ; and though at the last we differed greatly in our views, yet we separated in kindness and wished each other well. We maintain the same feeling toward the Doctor still ; and we do protest most seriously against being called his enemy." The anniversary of the Rockingham Association took place this season at Deerfield, N.H. Mr. Whittemore attended, and gave a particular account of it. He preached in Ken- sington the Sabbath previous, and visited Portsmouth on his way to the Association. It was a meeting to him and to many others of unusual enjoyment. He writes : " If ever pure felicity was vouchsafed to mortals on earth, we felt it there. It begun with the beginning of the services, and increased through the whole. No heart seemed to be un- touched. Those who had been delivered from the fetters of the doctrine of endless wrath, and who had heretofore been led to believe that there was little or no zeal and devotion among Universalists, were surprised. They found their for- mer prejudices to have been ah 1 wrong. They could sing their Christian songs with increased pleasure, and realize to the fullest extent the force of the hopeful words which they chanted." " At the close of the services in Deerfield," he writes, " several of the brethren proceeded about twenty miles to Lamprey River, where a lecture by Rev. A. C. Thomas had been appointed. The congregation thronged the house in every part. It was a glorious meeting." Mr. Thomas preached in Portsmouth on Friday evening, and Mr. Whittemore was with him. A very large congregation attended. Mr. Whittemore spent the subsequent Sabbath in Sandown. 80 MKM01R OF The "Jubilee" session of the United States Convention was held in Hartford, Ct., this year. Mr. Whittemore was present. The business meetings were held in the hall of the House of Representatives. The principal subjects of debate were, the expediency of establishing a theological seminary by the Universalists of the United States, and the need of seeking by all proper and laudable means to abolish the odious practice of capital punishment. Six discourses were delivered. The Occasional on the first day was by Rev. S. R. Smith of Clinton, N.Y., and was a sermon of rare ability and impressiveness. Mr. "Whittemore writes : " It is almost impossible to speak of it in terms of exaggerated praise. It was profound, solemn, animated, instructive." More than eighty ministers were present. A very able report on the subject of Capital Punishment was made to the Convention and laid over for final action at its next session. At the session of the Boston Association in Stoughton in November, Mr. Whittemore preached a sermon. The new meeting-house in West Rumney, N.H., was dedi- cated on the 18th of November. A two days' meeting was held. The dedicatory services were on the first day ; the sermon by Rev. John G. Adams, then residing in that place. Mr. Whittemore preached during the meeting. On Thursday evening, a meeting for social conference was held at the house of Mr. Robert Morse. Of this meeting Mr. Whittemore writes : " Our aged and venerable father Keith addressed us and warmed our hearts by his exhortations. A young back, a distance of about eighteen miles, without much apparent fatigue. All bewailed their failure to enjoy a fair weather prospect from Mount Washington. Sunday came. It was a delightful da}* without. Religious services were held at the "Notch House." Rev. E. H. Chapin preached, and prayers were offered by Mr. Whitte- more and Rev. J. G. Adams. Another ascent was made on Monday. Clouds were floating about the mountains, and a snow and rain storm met them at the summit of Washington. But soon the clouds broke, scattered, and rolled above and afar, and the grandest views they could have desired were before them. Mr. Whittemore walked up and down the mountains, was not greatly fatigued, and thought he could have done the same thing the next day. The party visited the Franconia Range on Monday. Pass- ing through Bethlehem, they met the Hutchinsons with other singing friends there, who were on their way from Littleton to the White Mountains. The journalist writes: " They were just on the point of leaving when we came up ; but. at our earnest request, they gave us a couple of songs. Nine of them were seated in the coach, and they poured out for us a strain of music of thrilling interest. They concluded with the song called the ' Old Granite State.' It was so rich, so pure, so chaste ; it had such strains of touching melody and melting harmony ; it was so tender, filial, fraternal,- replete with such just sentiments, and we were so well prepared for it by what we had seen and the state of our own feelings, that we can sa}-, with perfect accuracy, that never in our lives did music so charm us." They visited the attractions in the Franconia Range, in- cluding the " Old Man of the Mountain." and spent the night at Littleton. From this place Mr. AVhittemore and others of 10 146 MEMOIR OF the company passed round through Haverhill to West Rum- ney, N.H., where a meeting was held in the Universalist church on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, the party divided into smaller fractions. Mr. Whittemore preached the foUowing Sunday in Concord, N.H. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 147 CHAPTER VIII. 1844-1847. AGED 44-47. Paige's Commentary Rev. T. Parker and Unitarians A Gloucester veteran Conference at Medford Temperance festival at Acton Denunciation, and Answer to it U.S. Convention in Boston Mr. Emerson on Swedenborg Temperance and some mistakes of its friends Protest of Universalists against American Slavery Evils of Fiction-writing Massachusetts Convention at Hingham Pro- posed Reform Association Miracles and Magnetism 37 Cornhill U.S. Convention at Troy, N.Y. Remarks on Convention work Boston Association in Maiden ; Home Missionary work State- ments of Rev. Dr. Pond, and Remarks Criticism of Christian Re- flector and Reply A Western editor on Theological Institutions, and Reply. IK September of this year (1844), the first volume of the Commentary on the New Testament, by Rev. Lucius R. Paige, was published by B. B. Mussey, 29 Cornhill, Boston. It was a work needed by the Universalist public, and since its issue the succeeding volumes to the completion of the Books of the New Testament, with the exception of the Apocalypse, have proved the whole series to be a valuable contribution to the literature of the Christian church. On the appearance of the first volume, in an editorial notice Mr. Whittemore sa}-s : "Of the manner in which the Commentaiy is exe- cuted, we feel it our clut}- to say that, in our judgment, it will reflect credit upon its author, as well as upon that class of Christians to which he belongs. It manifests much learning, deep study, an earnest desire after truth, independence of 148 MEMOIR OF mind far removed from any thing like self-confidence, or an overweening attachment to preconceived opinions, slaveiy to the opinions of any man or sect ; in fine, it is the fruit of a candid, unbiased, intelligent, persevering study of the Scrip- tures for many 3*ears. No person will fail to see the charac- teristic modesty of the author. He states the opinions of those from whom he differs in all their force, and proposes his own perspicuously and decidedly, yet in a becoming manner." Other very favorable notices of it were given in the religious journals of the day. Mr. Whittemore was not present at the session of the United States Convention in Baltimore, in September of this year. A report of it was given in the Trumpet by Rev. C. H. Faj'. On the 16th of October, he was in New London, Ct., and preached a discourse at the Recognition of the Uni- versalist church in that place, of which Rev. T. J. Green- wood was then pastor. He was present at another conference meeting in Waltham, Dec. 11. It was a large gathering of ministers and laymen, many of them from neighboring churches, and proved to be a meeting of deep enjoyment on the part of the attendants. On Jan. 25, 1845, another meet- ing of the same character was held in East Lexington. In the Trumpet of Feb. 2, Mr. Whittemore, in a notice of the excitement in the Unitarian churches in consequence of the influence of Rev. Theodore Parker's opinions, and espe- cially of the proposal of Rev. James F. Clarke to exchange with him, gives thus plainly his views of Mr. Parker and his ministry : " For ourselves, we believe Mr. Parker's opinions to be decidedly deistical. We acknowledge that he has all the right to the promulgation of his opinions which we have to the promulgation of our own. We then proclaim our opinion that the views of Mr. Parker are subversive of the Christian THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 149 religion ; that, if he is right, there is no Christianity : it is gangrened at its vitals ; it is gone. Mr. Parker has denied the truth of the Gospels ; he has preached that the statements of the Evangelists have to him ' but a low degree of historical credibility ; ' that they have mingled with their story puerile notions and tales which it is charitable to call absurd ; that they have possibly represented Christ as teaching what he did not teach ; that the Saviour was frequently mistaken, and that other Christs still greater are to come ; that the pre- tended miracles of Christ are ' m}'ths and fables ; ' that there is no certainty of Christ's resurrection, and that the account of his subsequent history is impossible. " With Mr. Parker we have no acquaintance. We accord to him all the rights we claim to ourself ; we would abridge him of no liberty : but we must say that, holding as he does the opinions above described, he is not a Christian minister. In this remark we mean nothing against his character ; we would detract nothing from his reputation as a man of eloquence and talent : but he can no more be considered a Christian than Paine or Taylor. We might as well expect a man to live with his head stricken from his bod}' as Christianity to live if the sentiments of Mr. Parker should become general. While we express these opinions, we also express the hope that no measures may be adopted towards him but those of kindness. While he denies the theory of Christianity, let us meet him in its spirit ; for Jesus ' had compassion on the ignorant and those who are out of the way.' " On Feb. 3, the venerable William Pearce of Gloucester passed from this life in the ninety-fourth j-ear of his age. He was one of the early friends of Murray, and helped to sus- tain him through the trials of his ministry in that place. In a long and interesting obituary notice of him, Mr. Whitternore thus speaks of his last interview with him in 1842 : 150 MEMOIR OF "We tarried, as we had long been accustomed to, at his house. He delighted to talk on religion. He would sit for a long time and converse on this theme. His whole heart was in it. His eyes now sparkle with joy, and are now suffused with tears. He speaks of Murray, and of the jo}*s, sorrows, pleasures, and privations which the early Universalists of Gloucester realized. We asked him about his faith. ' My faith,' said he, ' is as strong as ever never weakened no, sir, founded on a rock the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.' He was evidently much absorbed in meditation, and would give vent to his feelings in quotations from the Scriptures. ' Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess. Does this not mean ALL? Yes, EVERY ONE. He will not forsake his own work ; he cannot hate himself. Are we not Christ's? Our life is hid with Christ iu God. AVho hid it? God. Who can take it away? None. God cannot change. Here am I, going on to ninety-one, near my earthly end : but I am ready, blessed be God ; he is my support, and though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.' " A conference was held in Medford on the 12th of February, in which Mr. Whittemore took part with much earnestness of feeling. There was a good attendance, although the da}- was unpropitious. The 20th of February finds him at the public-house of Mr. Tuttle, in Acton, Mass. The occasion was a congratulatory one on the part of the friends of temperance. The proprietor of the house had resolved to keep it clear from the evil of liquor-selling for one year, at the end of which time he was satisfied of the wisdom of his course, in which opinion his fellow-citizens agreed with him ; and, as an expression of tlu-ir good-will towards him, proposed that a public supper should take place at his home. It was largely attended; and atU-r THOMAS WfflTTKUORE. 151 the feast at the table, other exercises followed. Mr. Whitte- more made an address to the company, in which, after a brief reference to the occasion, he spoke of the evils of intem- perance ; the blessings of temperance ; present obstacles to the temperance reform : the pernicious nature of the rum-selling business ; that it is opposed to the public good ; is not an honorable calling, like that of the carpenter, mason, tailor, blacksmith, etc. ; that many of the dealers are themselves ashamed of it ; that the}' devise means to hide the real nature of the business from public observation ; that it is the duty of the State to guard the public good, &c. After speaking with strong effect for fifty minutes, he was followed by others, who indorsed the sentiments that had been uttered. Rev. Mr. Frost of Concord, Rev. Mr. Dyar of Stow, Rev. Mr. AVoodbury of Acton, Dr. Bartlett and Mr. Bowers of Concord, and Mr. Bean of Warner, N.H., were the other speakers. Temperance songs were sung between the ad- dresses. Mr. Whittemore writes : "It was fully proved on that evening, that there can be a free flow of social feeling, wit, pun, and merriment, without wine or any alcoholic stimu- lant. It seemed to us that we never saw a happier company. Crowded as the hall was, we could not see that a single per- son left until ah 1 the exercises were concluded, at about half- past ten. Persons of all religious sects were there, and one common impulse seemed to possess their souls." In the Trumpet of March 8, there is a notice by the editor of an opposer, who takes occasion to denounce said journal, in these expressive terms : ' ; Mr. AVhittemore : I say down with the Trumpet. It is an infamous publication. It has done more hurt than }-ou could do good, if you should be converted to-morrow and live until 3-011 are one hundred }-ears old. You are a God-defying sinner, and you will go to hell. I hope you will be forsaken 152 MEMOIR OF by jour subscribers. Your paper is a scourge. Down with the Trumpet ! " To this lively tirade the trumpeter replies : "These seem to be days of 'cursing and bitterness.' The vials of fur}- are poured out on our head. Thank God, we will bear it without flinching, and say of these opposers, so full of wrath, ' Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' We have never harmed them ; but their errors we hate, as God is said to hate a lying tongue and a fro ward heart. We regard the doctrine of endless misery as the great abomination of the age ; the support of all priestcraft. No reforms can succeed well while this doctrine stands. If it be true, capital punishment is right, slaver}' is right, war is right, every other kind of sin is right. It was to oppose this doctrine, and priestcraft, and the designs of ardent sectarians, that the Trumpet was established nearly seventeen years ago. We gave it that name because we intended to ' sound an alarm in Zion.' By God's blessing, we have not swerved : we have adhered to the original design of the paper. "And now our opposers cry, 'Down with the Trumpet!' Well, let us see them put it down. We know that the sound of it is unwelcome to them ; but how will the}- stop it ? that is the question. It is said to be an infamous publication, and why? Because it tells the plain truth. Truth always has been in- famous, if we may believe errorists. The editor is said to be ' a God-delving sinner,' and is told that he shall ' go to hell.' It is a small matter to be judged of man's judgment. Those who express these threats cannot execute them. They are empty words, especially in this land of liberty. This opposer hopes we ' shall be forsaken by our subscribers.' Yes, but the hope of the hypocrite shall perish. Whether we shall be forsaken by our subscribers is a question for them to settle, and not for him. We are not yet forsaken, and publish a few papers now, after enduring the maledictions of our op- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 153 ponents for seventeen years. We think there is room enough for us to occupy a little longer." It does not appear that Mr. Whittemore was present at the Rockingham Association this year, which was held in Brent- wood, N.H. A good report of the meeting is given in his paper of Sept. 6. The United States Convention of Universalists held its annual session this year (1845) in Boston. It was a great occasion, and there was a very large attendance. On Thurs- day morning, Sept. 16, the steamboats from Maine and the trains from New York arriving so early that neither the Trumpet office nor Mr. Tompkins's store was open, Corn- hill on each side was well lined with delegates and others who were in waiting. School Street church was filled and running over with the multitude that had come to hear the Occasional Sermon by Rev. E. H. Chapin. It was repeated in the after- noon to another crowd in the Warren Street church. Meet- ings were held in different churches in and about Boston* Conference meetings of deep interest were also held. The communion sen-ice was observed on Thursday afternoon, at the First and Fifth churches. A largely attended meeting was held in the School Street church, on Friday morning, for the discussion of certain important subjects connected with the welfare of the denomination. Educational and reform inter- ests, and the instrumentality of the press in the dissemination of Christian truth, were the main topics considered. The last resolution discussed and passed, but with a single " Na}*," was the following on slavery, presented by Rev. Henry Bacon : ' ' Resolved, that a Committee of five be appointed to prepare a solemn, earnest, and plain Protest against American Slaver}', and, when prepared, to present it to every Universalist cler- gyman in the United States, for his signature ; respectfully 154 MEMOIR OF requesting those who are not willing to sign it to give a reason for refusing ; and when it has been fully circulated, and they have waited a reasonable time for answers, they shall publish the Protest and signatures, with the reasons offered by those who do not sign it." The Committee chosen were, Rev. Messrs. H. Bacon, E. H. Chapiu, L. R. Paige, 8. Cobb, and S. Streeter. Mr. "Whittemore says of this last meeting, that it was the best of the four days. " It must have an influence very much to be desired on our Academies, on Theological learning, on the Theological School at Clinton, on the Universalist press, and on the efforts of Universalists to aid in the philanthropic measures of the age. There was no radicalism, no come-out- ism ; all was reasonable, Christian, affectionate, and patriotic. Thus closed the sen-ices of the four da}-s. May God sanctify the whole to all who were present. Let the truth prevail over all the earth ; and let all the people say ' Amen ! ' * Two hundred and ten ministers were present at the Con- vention. The installation of Rev. "W. H. Ryder as pastor of the Universalist Church in Nashua, N.H., took place on Christinas day this 3~ear. The installation discourse was by Rev. A. A. Miner. Mr. Whittemore preached in the evening. Mr. Whittemore speaks with approval of some parts of Mr. R. W. Emerson's lecture on Swedenborg, particularly that statement in it respecting the impossibility of the existence of pure malignity. Mr. Emerson had said of the Swedish seer: "He believed in devils, objective devils. But that pure malignity should exist is a contradiction. Goodness and being are one. To deny this is atheism, the last profana- tion. Old Euripides, pagan as he is, may teach us that ' goodness and being with the gods are one ; he who imputes evil to them makes them none.' Yet Swendenborg admits no THOMAS WUITTEMORE. 155 return for the sinful spirit. At death its condition is fixed and final. If man were an azote, or a salt, or an alkali, he might never change, and it would be best that he should not. But he is a spirit and is never stationary. Must and lees will work themselves clear, carrion in the sun will purify itself, and turn into flowers and clover ; and with man, wher- ever he is found, in brothels, in prisons, on the gallows, the tendency is always upward." " This," says Mr. Whitte- more, " is sound philosophy ; it is the basis of Universalism." In the Trumpet of Feb. 1, 1846, Mr*. Whittemore has some more plain words in reference to the Temperance cause, and the attempts of those called orthodox Christians to monopolize its work, and have special guardianship of its interests. Dr. Edwards, a somewhat prominent orthodox temperance lec- turer, had been affirming that the great object of the temper- ance reform was not to save men from being drunkards here, but from being made for ever miserable hereafter. As Mr. AVhittemore thus understands the matter, he says : " We have no sympathy with such a design. We will do every thing we can for the cause of temperance, but nothing to build up orthodox}'. One great reason why the orthodox took ground against the Washingtonian Reform was, because it was begun and carried on without their aid. The six men who formed the original Washingtonian Society in Baltimore, and who thus commenced a moral movement that gave an impulse to the cause of temperance which it never will or can get over, were men independent of all sects. It was this which turned many of the orthodox clergy and others of their churches against this reform, and led them to stigmatize the reformed drunkard who undertook to be a lecturer as ' a gutter graduate,' and expect his downfall and return to his cups. The cloven foot of orthodoxy was never more plainly- seen than in the position it assumed in regard to AVashing- 156 MEMOIR OF tonianism. We urge on Universalists the duty of maintaining their devotion to the great and glorious cause of Temperance. Fail not, flinch not. The cause belongs to no sect : it belongs to the world. No man has any right to exclude his neighbor from its benefits or honors. "We say, then, to Universalists, Pray on, fight on.'" The "Protest against American Slavery," signed by 304 Universalist clergymen, appears in the Trumpet of April 18 of this year. It was copied into other denominational papers. These reasons are state'd as the basis of the Protest : 1. Because slavery denies the eternal distinction between a man and property, ranking a human being with a material thing. 2. Because it does not award to the laborer the fruits of his toil, in any higher sense than to the cattle. 3. Because it trammels the intellectual powers and prevents their expan- sion. 4. Because it checks the development of the moral nature of the slave ; denies him rights and thereby responsi- bilit}-. 5. Because it involves a practical denial of the re- ligious nature of the slave. 6. Because it presents an insurmountable barrier to the propagation of the great truth of the Universal Brotherhood, and thereby most effectually prevents the progress of true Christianity. 7. Because the essential nature of Slavery cannot be altered by any kindness, how great soever, practised towards the slave. 8. Because the long continuance of a S3'stem of wrong cannot palliate it, but, on the other hand, augments the demand for its abolition. 9. Because we would in all charity remember that peculiarities of situation may affect the judgment and moral sense ; still, we must not forget that no peculiarit3 r of situation can excuse a perpetual denial of universal principles and observations. Reasons for not signing the Protest were sent to the Com- mittee appointed to prepare it, and these are published in connection with the Protest itself. About forty different rea- THOMAS WH1TTEMORE. 157 sons, in substance, were given, most of them calculated to elicit the liveliest discussion, and some of them evincing a lack of earnest attention to the vital merits of the question. One was especially noteworthy, because of its apparently indifferent and implicit reliance on the divine decrees ! It runs thus : " As God works all things after the counsel of his own will, he has permitted the blacks to be enslaved by the American people, and works that slavery according to his will, and has not influenced me to act in the matter ; and my not being a free agent, I cannot sign your Circular." Mr. Whittemore was one of the signers of the Protest. The tone of it was every way creditable to the church which sent it out, and was one of the influences that helped to effect the downfall of American Slavery. In one of two editorials, Mr. Whittemore speaks with much freedom and earnestness on the trashy fiction sent forth at the time from the press, and having so large a circulation among ready readers throughout the land. As a Christian minister and journalist, he gives a tirneby utterance on this subject : " It is much to be lamented that our periodical literature has fallen so low in this country. Science is an old and stale affair. Morals, history, in fact every thing that is real seems to have lost its power to interest : the community and the world are gaping after fiction, fiction. Hence by far the greater part of the periodicals of our countr}- are given up to this species of writing. Novels from France, Germany, Sweden, England, Scotland, Ireland, and almost everywhere else, are brought over, and fairly (or rather unfair!}-) flood the country. In addition to fictions imported, are to be mentioned those of a domestic origin. All the love-sick boys and girls, and old maids (as we should think), have taken up the writing of stories, almost all of them beginning, progressing, and ending in love. There is need of great reform in these matters. 158 MEMOIR OF The papers which are given up to such publications are the ver}- bane of }'outhful society, and for the amount of damage which they do are to be classed with the grog-shops. They are most of them downright impositions on the community. They vitiate the public taste, and, besides being destitute of truth, have sometimes the effect to excite feelings that lead the 3'oung astray. We advise fathers and mothers to keep a good lookout as to what their children read." The Massachusetts Universalist Convention held its annual session this year in Hiugham. Among other business of im- portance, the following resolution was introduced by Rev. C. H. Fay, and, after being discussed by the mover and others, was adopted : ' ' Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the Uni- versalists of New England, to form an association to be known as the New England General Reform Association, which shall meet annually in Boston during 'Anniversary Week ; ' having for its object the collection of such statistical information relative to the various reform movements of the age, as illustrates not only the progress of Christianity as we understand it, but the best means of promoting and applying it." A Committee of twelve was appointed to carry into effect this resolution ; viz., Revs. C. H. Fay, T. Whittemore, E. H. Chapin, H. Ballou 2d, J. G. Adams, S. Cobb, A. A. Miner, J. M. Spear, B. B. Mussey, Esq., T. A. Goddard, A. Mudge, A. Tompkins. At the first meeting of this Committee, preparations were made for the first public meeting of the Association in May, 1847. Committees on a Constitution, of Arrangements for the meeting, on Resolutions, and on a Circular to the public, setting forth the objects of the Association, were appointed. Little reverence had our brother for that class of reformers THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 159 who thought they saw in some modern discoveries a clearer interpretation of the miraculous powers affirmed in the New Testament than the world had hitherto known. One of this class gives publicity to his views in this strain : " It is more than probable that the key to the miraculous powers exercised by men in all past time is found in the wonderful discoveries of animal magnetism. If the evidence of Messiahship rests on miraculous power, the moment that the discover}' is made that the so-called miraculous power is a faculty appertaining to developed man, at that moment the seal is broken, the proof of Messiahship is lost." In noticing these statements, he calls upon those who have faith in them and are experi- menting in animal magnetism to try and see what the}' can effect in the new h'ne of miracle-working, and thus show their faith by their doings. " Let us see," he writes, " the power of magnetism in working miracles. True, we cannot under- stand how animal magnetism can operate on the rock, or on the sea, or on loaves and dead fishes ; but we ignorant creat- ures who know nothing about philosophy perchance do not understand all these matters, and need to be instructed. Let some magnetizer or magnetized strike a rock and cause the waters to gush out ; let him calm the billows of the sea ; let him feed thousands of hungry persons to satiety with a few loaves and fishes, and gather up afterwards twelve baskets of fragments. Do let us see something of this kind. Do not, gentlemen, philosophers, keep all these things to yourselves. "But hark ye, readers! If these men attempt this, we will tell you how they will succeed ; somewhat as did the ' vagabond Jews' of whom we read in the 19th chapter of Acts. God had wrought special miracles by the hand of Paul, so that he healed men of their diseases, and calmed the madness of the mind. Then ' certain of the vagabond Jews ' took it upon them to do the same things by calling 160 MEMOIR OF over the name of the Lord Jesus. There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, who tried their hands at it ; but neither of them, not even the seventh so/z, was able to succeed. They said to the mad man, ' We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.' Oh the hypocrites ! thus to crowd themselves into Christian company. What did they care for Jesus whom Paul preached ? Even the madman knew they were a set of impostors ; for he said, ' Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye ? ' And then he fell upon them and overcame them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. " Let some of our philosophers who tell us that the miracles of Christ were wrought 03* animal magnetism, try to work miracles like his by that power, and they will suffer as much chagrin as did ' the vagabond Jews.' " During the latter part of Mr. Whittemore's life as an editor and publisher, his office was at the stand since known as the " Universalist Publishing House," 37 Cornhill. It was a place where much active business was done ; a place where all visitors, all sects, and especially those of the Universalist faith, were made welcome, and where our church clerg}' were exceedingly glad to congregate. The proprietor of the establishment had a welcome word and hand for all. Whether from cit3' or country, from near or far-off places, those who came were easily made to feel themselves at home. Few of our common faith residing in New England could enter the office without receiving a recognition from him. He had preached to them, had conversed with them in their own towns, had shared the warm hospitalities of their homes, had held business conferences or mingled with them in the social walks of life. He had a pleasant or witty or tender word for all. The ministers' meetings at the office, most largely attended on Mondays, were among the very strong attractions at THOMAS WU1TTEMORE. 161 Cornhill. Most of those living in the neighborhood of Bos- ton, and usually some from other and distant places in or out of Massachusetts, would be present. And the conferences then and there held were often highly enjoyable. Knotty theological problems were encountered and discussed ; the latest attacks on the common faith criticised ; church duties proposed and debated ; historical reminiscences brought up, persons, and anecdotes of them called back from the past and re-enjoyed. Breezy talk generally abounded. The logi- cal sharpness of a Ballou ; the spicy parish relatings of a Streeter or Skinner ; the strong argumentative sentences of a Cobb ; the rac}~ witticisms of Chapin, Starr King, Ballou 2d, Paige, and the Trumpeter himself, were often parts of the Monday morning programme, and all alike enjoyed by others of the neighboring ministers and la}-men, or by fresh visitors from more remote residences, who would be sure to take away with them most agreeable and lasting remem- brances of these interviews. Opposite 37, Mr. Abel Tornpkins for a long time kept his bookstore ; a home for all representatives of Universalism, equally welcome to the fraternity with that of the Trumpet's editor. Here the first Universalist Sabbath-school paper was published, and the "Ladies' Repositon*," and the sweet " Rose of Sharon," whose fragrance yet lives in many a memory. Conferences like those already described wore often enjoyed there also. Mr. B. B. Mussey's publishing- house and bookstore was also near, where visitors to these other houses always found a cordial reception from the gen- tlemanly and generous proprietor. Cornhill is still an attrac- tion to Universalists, and long ma}- it be ; but it must grow greatl}* in interest to be more attractive than in those ten- derly remembered and felicitous da}-s of the past. Another journey to the United States Convention. This 11 162 MEMOIR OF time it is at Troy, N.Y. A full and pleasantly descriptive account of the passage from New York city up the Hudson is given in an editorial letter. The Convention opened with a Sabbath-school meeting on Tuesday. An Address in the evening on Sunday-school work was given by Mr. Charles F. Eaton of Boston. Discourses were preached by Rev. Asher Moore (Occasional) , Rev. E. M. Pingree, Rev. O. A. Skinner, Rev. E. H. Chapin, Rev. D. Skinner, Rev. H. Bacon. Ex- cellent conference meetings were held, in which Mr. AVhitte- more took part. The Universalist Historical Society had several interesting and satisfactory meetings, and a collection of fifty dollars was taken for the purchase of books. In his comments on the Convention, Mr. "Whittemore takes occasion to signify his very strong desire that the Convention should adhere more closely to the work for which it was formed, and not allow so much of its time to be frittered away in the discussions of topics foreign to this design. "The Convention was formed, as we understand it, to effect a one- ness of interest in the order throughout the United States. Has this been done ? Have the interests of the denomination throughout the country been consolidated? We think not. Another object of this Convention was, to communicate useful information in regard to the denomination in all sec- tions of the United States ; and it is made the duty of each State Convention to forward to the general body, in some form, information respecting the condition and prospect of the cause within its limits. This was done for several years after the organization of the Convention. The Reports sent in 1835 were models of what ought to be done. But this impor- tant duty is now wholly neglected." He is suspicious that " Reform" topics as they come in, have a tendency to make less important the other work for which the Convention was organized. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 163 The Boston Association was held this year in Maiden. Among other resolutions passed was one offered by Rev. J. G. Adams, that a Missionary Society be established within the limits of this Association, immediately. Messrs. Whitte- more, E. H. Chapin, and A. A. Miner were appointed a Com- mittee to prepare a Constitution of a Home Missionary Society. Rev.W. R. G. Mellen delivered the Occasional Dis- course. A letter appears in the Trumpet of Nov. 1, from the distin- guished English Baptist divine, Rev. Robert Hall, of date April 30, 1821, in which is acknowledged his perplexities in regard to the doctrine of the eternity of punishment. In his notice of the letter, Mr. Whittemore says : ' ' Mr. Hall does not seem to have believed in endless misery, but to have acquiesced in it. That is the term he used. ' I acquiesced in the usual and popular interpretation of the passages which treat on the future doom of the finally impenitent.' As to the supposed arguments offered by Mr. Hall in favor of the doctrine in question, we refer our readers to the works of Rev. John Foster. In his letter to a young clergyman he answers them all. Mr. Hall moreover says that belief in endless punishment is never proposed as a term of salvation. He further states that the evidence on which the doctrine of endless suffering rests ' is by no means to be compared to that which establishes our common Christianity ; and there- fore the fate of the Christian religion is not to be considered as implicated in the belief or disbelief of the popular doc- trine.' We commend the sentiments of Mr. Hall to the serious consideration of our American Baptists." He also notes with gratification the statement of Rev. Dr. Pond of the Bangor Theological Seminary, who says in an article in the New England Puritan, in reference to the wide prevalence of the opinions of Swedenborgians, Univer- 164 IfEMOIR OF salists, and Unitarians : "It has come to this, that when the doctrines of divine sovereignty, of total depravity, of the consequent necessity of regeneration, of a general judgment, and of the endless punishment of the "wicked, are plainly preached, and the most positive language of Scripture is quoted in proof of them ; there are not a few in our congre- gations who are ready to say, ' All this may be so or may not be so ; there are different opinions in regard to these points ; these passages of Scripture are variously interpreted, and who can tell how much or how little is to be depended on ? " Mr. Whittemore regards this as an admission from an unquestionable source, that the leaven of divine truth is working in man)' of the orthodox churches. The Christian Reflector, a Baptist journal of Boston, takes occasion to speak of what it considers the " Universalist Es- timate of Revivals." He asserts that they vent their malig- nity when they hear of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the churches and the impenitent ; that the}- cannot endure the scenes of primitive times, of Pentecostal and other revivals ; to have the heavens " drop down from above," and the skies to " pour down righteousness." To this Mr. Whittemore replies : " We should be glad to see ' an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, on the churches and the impenitent ; ' but we believe that many persons use these phrases who little understand the true meaning of them. Moreover, there are few things less like 'the outpouring of the Holy Spirit' than a partialist excitement called a revival. ' The scenes of primitive times ' we should be glad to see repeated on the earth ; but the revival on the day of Pentecost, and other revivals under the preaching of the apostles, were not produced by the preaching of endless torments, but by the preaching of the love of God. If the Baptists would only convert people as tlu-y \\vre con- verted in the days of the apostles, we would join with them iu THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 165 heart and hand. We pray fervently, let the heavens ' drop down from above,' and the skies ' pour down righteousness ; ' but we also pray, ' Deliver us, O Lord, from fanaticism, falsehood, priestcraft, and deceit.' "Will the Reflector under- stand now ? or will it accuse us again of being inimical to revivals of pure religion ? " During these days when Mr. Whittemore and man}* of his brethren were advocating so strongly the setting up of insti- tutions for the better education of the U niversalist ministry, he is called to encounter that kind of opposition to this work which some other sects have realized in the first stages of their growth in this country. In the instance now noticed, it is that of a minister in the West, a man of good natural abil- ity and editor of a Universalist journal. He has read an appeal made by Rev. S. R. Smith to the ministers of the Universalist Church, that one hundred of them, if possible, subscribe one hundred dollars each (making a sum of ten thousand) towards the founding of the proposed literary and theological institution. The appeal was a reasonable and maul}' one. But the Western editor did not thus regard it. He was not in favor of " the elevation of the Universalist ministry," not deeming it consistent with the spirit and character of the Christian ministry to elevate the clergy above the laity, as that course had always created a religious aristocracy. " Give the people the New Testament," says this sturdy op- posr of theological institutions, " and they can learn from that all theology necessary for them to know without having to pay a self-created aristocratic priesthood. Such expen- sive church lumber is altogether unnecessary. Give the people the Xew Testament ; let them study it themselves, and the}" can know as much of its doctrine as a priest can tell them." 166 MEMOIR OF It is for Mr. Whittemore to answer such intolerable rant. " In the name of common sense," he asks, " who ever desired to ' elevate the clergy above the laity in any ' other sense than to fill their minds with knowledge, that they might be com- petent to elevate the people? How can the people be ele- vated unless the teachers are? There are in our land, in the West we suppose, as well as in the East, institutions to fit men to be teachers of academies and common schools. Why does not our brother apply his logic here ? ' What ! elevate the teachers above the people ? Has not this always created an aristocrac}' ? ' Such is his logic. A teacher must know more than those he is to teach. Why does our brother preach if he cannot teach the people any thing ? And which is the most aristocratic, to qualify a minister so that he can really elevate the people, or to let him keep on preaching and receiving support as a clergyman when he can teach them nothing at all? Who cannot see that our brother's position is unsound? The truth is, people need no other religion than is embraced in the New Testament. But there are many helps to the understanding of that book ; and a class of such men ' duly and truly prepared,' humble, faithful, honest teachers, will be blessings to society." THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 167 CHAPTER IX. 1847-1849. AGED 47-49. Too lively A visit South Reform Association J. Victor Wilson Dr. Bushnell Rockingham Association at Brentwood, N.H. U.S. Convention at New York John M. Edgarton Duty of an editor Andrew Jackson Davis and his Revelations Boston Association at Lynn Extra Session at Cambridgeport Anti-Sabbath Conven- tion Commentary on the Apocalypse Reform Festival Purity of the Ministry Rockingham Association at Epping, N.H. Igno- rance of Universalism Boston Association Christian Progress Too controversial. OUR brother's Trumpet had been called too warlike. Now the complaint comes that it is too lively ; that is, that its strains are not solemn enough, that there is something alto- gether too cheerful in them. The editor pleads not guilty. " It is true," says he, " we do not write as though we stood on the brink of endless despair. We discard all the repulsive features of Calvinism. We keep the good of that system, and cast the bad away. We believe that God is good ; that virtue is happiness ; that heaven is the state of the pure and rational soul ; that all men are the offspring of God ; and that he will finally overrule all things for good. Why then shall we not be cheerful ? Why may not the Trumpet sound a joy-inspiring note? God calls upon us to rejoice before him. The saints of old used to shout aloud for joy. Heaven is full of joy, especially when sinners are saved. One of the 168 MEMOIR OF judgments denounced against Rome, in the Apocalypse, which was to be regarded as a proof of her downfall and her sadness, was that the voice of the Trumpet should be heard within her borders no more. (Rev. xviii. '22.) We live not in the city of spiritual Babylon ; but in the holy city of New Jerusalem ; and we will, agreeably to the injunction in Psalm xcviii. 6, ' with trumpet make a jo}'ful noise, before the Lord the king.' ' Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound.' " In May of this year, Mr. Whittemore visited Fredericks- burg, Va. He gives, in letters in the Trumpet, a very inter- esting account of his journe}*. It is full of descriptions of places and of historical reminiscences. He tarried awhile in New York city to attend a Convention called to consider the educational interests of the Universalist denomination. He listened to a discourse of deep interest to him and others, from Rev. T. J. Sawyer, on German Rationalism, a timely and able effort. He spent a day in Baltimore ; visited Wash- ington and Mount Vernon. Of the tomb of Washington and its occupants, he writes: "On the lid of the sarcophagus is wrought the arms of his country ; and the only epitaph (but how expressive !) is the one word, ' Washington.' What sig- nificance ! Volumes could not have told more. And on the other coffin, ' Martha, consort of Washington.' The gratitude of his country has been irrepressible ; monuments have been reared ; statues have been carved ; counties, cities, and towns have adopted his name ; the capital of the nation is itself Washington ; but, after all, the man, the illustrious man, adorned with the highest virtues of our race, is, and for ever will be, his own monument. All the means by which the memory of great men has been perpetuated in times past are superseded by him. His name must live for ever." Washington, the national capitol there, and other buildings, THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 169 are particular!}- described in these letters. He preaches in the Universalist church in Baltimore on the Sabbath, and then returns home. Reviewing his very pleasant journey, he takes occasion to pay a tribute to "home, sweet home." "Our gardens do not come into bloom so earl}' as those in Virginia, but it is 'home' notwithstanding. Boston is our native city. We love the air of Boston, even its cold north winds : they make men rugged. We love its business char- acter, its free schools, the development of mind in it, its good order, its liberality of religious sentiment, its enterprise, its cleanliness. True, our domicile is not within the city bounds, but it is just the other side of Charles River, in one of the sweetest, most quiet, and orderly villages in Massachusetts. Cambridgeport for ever ! " During the absence of Mr. Whittemore in Virginia, the first meeting of the Universalist Reform Association was held during "Anniversary Week" in Boston. Addresses were offered on the following subjects; viz., on Peace, by Rev. J. G. Adams ; on Criminal Reform, by Rev. J. M. Spear ; on Temperance, by Rev. A. A. Miner ; on Human Freedom, by Rv. S. Cobb. The first Festival (breakfast) at Washington Hall, in Bromfield Street, was an occasion never afterwards forgotten by those who attended it. Richard Frothingham, Jr., of Charlestown, presided, who introduced the intellectual repast admirably. He was followed by the ministers, C. H. Fay, A. A. Miner, J. G. Adams, S. Cobb, H. Bacon, E. H. Chapin, H. Ballou, S. Streeter, E. Thompson, J. S. Dennis, J. M. Spear, and P. H. Sweetser, Esq., of South Reading. The speakers were in their happiest moods, and under their strongest inspirations. Mr. Chapin's speech was a torrent of eloquence ; the venerable Ballou's, an uplifting benediction. It was a grand inauguration of the Reform Association. Mr. Whittemore regretted his absence from it. The excellent 170 MEMOIR OF report of the Festival in the Trumpet was from the pen of Rev. T. Starr King. In the Trumpet, of July 3, there is recorded the sudden death of a young man (J.Victor Wilson) of more than ordinary prom- ise, who had elicited on the part of Mr. Whittemore much interest in his behalf. He was employed in the publishing office for some time, and was the author of the work entitled, " Reasons for our Hope ; or, the Bible a Universalist Book ; " a work which shows that he had great industry in the study of the Scriptures, and a peculiar faculty at the classification of proofs. The little work had quite a large circulation, and deserves a place in the Christian Church henceforth. It was in this year that the tract on " Christian Nurture," afterwards enlarged to a small volume, from the pen of Rev. Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford, Ct.. appeared. The tract was ap- proved by the Committee of Publication of the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society. It was declared by some to be a most valuable work. Upon examination, however, by the Unitarians, it was found to contain many very reasonable thoughts and doctrines on the subject of human nature ; and, if carefully examined, it was seen to conflict directly and broadly with the doctrine of total depravity. The Unitarians expressed their admiration of the tract. This caused a re- examination of it on the part of the orthodox, and it came under condemnation. Even the committee who had ex- amined and approved it now withdrew their approbation, and had the tract suppressed. But this only served to increase the demand for it, and it soon came to be read extensively, and is now regarded with much favor by many of the more advanced thinkers in the orthodox ranks, and by Christians of liberal views generally. It was the beginning of a series of volumes \\hieh afterwards came from the able pen of Dr. Bushnell, and which have served to modify and change in THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 171 no small degree the old puritanic theology of New England. Mr. Whittemore, of course, took particular notice of the flut- ter occasioned in certain quarters by the discovery that the new tract was in contradiction of some of the Calvinism of the past. In August, he is present again at the Rockingham Associ- ation. It was held in Brentwood, N.H., this year, and was largely attended on both days of the session. Four or five discourses were preached, one by Mr. Whittemore, and con- ferences were held. Mr. Whittemore closes a notice of the meeting in his paper, by noting the different kinds of Uni- versalists in the county of Rockingham, and fervently ex- horting them to union and work under the one great Master and Lord. The session of the United States Convention this year, in New York city, was one of great interest. One of the larg- est Sabbath-school meetings yet known at any session of this body was held in the Bleecker Street church, and an Occasional Address given by Rev. J. G. Adams. The Occasional Sermon before the Convention was delivered by Rev. H. Ballou, D.D. Mr. Whittemore writes: "It was pronounced by many of the clergy the most powerful discourse ever delivered by that distinguished man, to which, so far as our knowledge goes, we do cordially agree. We can give no epitome of this sermon that will give the reader an}- competent idea of it." His topic was, " The Responsibilit}- of Universal- ists in the Position they now hold before God and the World." It was listened to with intense interest in that long hour, and has been doing its work in our churches ever since. Dis- courses were preached in different churches, and conferences of unusual interest held. On Friday, there was an Educa- tional Convention in the Orchard Street church. It was there voted that a general agent be appointed to solicit subscrip- 172 MEMOIR OF tions, to the amount of $100,000, for the erection of college buildings. In the Trumpet of Oct. 9, Mr. Whittemore very tenderly notices the death of Mr. John M. Edgarton, of Shirley, Mass. , a brother of Mrs. Sarah C. E. Mayo. He was in expectation of entering the ministry at the time of his decease. His intimate friend, Rev. T. Starr King, writes of him: "His mind was of the first order. To great acuteness of thought was united an expansive view of every subject which he treated ; and very few have ever possessed in such harmonious union those qualities of intellect so rarely conjoined, metaphysical ex- actness and philosophical breadth. His style of composition was admirable, and would have given him a high rank among the cultivated writers of the day. At this time, when the great need of our denomination is men of education and com- manding intellectual power, we feel that the Universalist public have sustained in his death an almost irreparable loss." In an animated article on the " Duty of an Editor," Mr. Whittemore makes this plea for the press : ' ' What is the duty of editors ? We reply, to set their faces like a flint against the prostitution of the press. The press ! A noble engine ! The lever that moves the moral world ! In the hands of good men, how useful ! In those of the bad, how dangerous ! The conductors of the press should be men of ability, of good judgment, of good morals, of uncontaminat- ing thoughts. They preside at the fountains at which all the people drink ; and would you have the fountains poisoned ? The public does not seem to be aware of the responsibility of editors, and the immense power which they wield for good or for evil over the destinies of the republic. If any men ought to be held to a strict accountability, it is the}-. We talk of the influence of the pulpit. One newspaper, with a circulation of five thousand, has the influence of fifty clergy- THOMAS WUITTEMORE. 173 men ; for such a paper is read by at least fifty thousand persons. When its articles are copied into other journals, its influence ma}- be doubled and trebled. We hope Uuiversal- ist readers will hold their editors to a strict accountability ; and if they find the tone of their press wavering, or speaking in any way to foster corruption, or division, or political party spirit, or any thing that is not for the good of man and the advancement of the Gospel, let it be promptly discounte- nanced. Whatever other sects may have, let Uuiversalists cherish a pure press." In these days there appeared a bulky volume, purporting to be ' ' Revelations " from a higher sphere than that of the earthly, coming through Andrew Jackson Davis. A few Uuiversalist ministers were quite forward in giving it a wel- come, professing to regard it as a spiritual light in advance of all others that had yet appeared. Rev. T. J. Sawyer, then of Clinton, N.Y., gave the book a pretty sharp notice, and made some expositions of the cordial reception it had met with by those professing to be teachers of Christian Univer- salism. Mr. Whittemore indorses Mr. Sawyer's opinion of the work. Speaking for himself and others near him, he says: "We believe the book to be an infidel publication; and that, if our ministers who have accepted it as a new and higher revelation from heaven have fully considered what they are doing, there is no Christian faith in them. We hope the tune will come when the Universalist denomination will not be the receptacle of every strange thing under heaven." Mr. Davis, in after years, gave it as his serious conviction that Spiritualism (which his " Revelations" advo- cated) had been relied upon altogether too much as a religion ; thus veiling these criticisms to which we have here alluded. The Boston Association held its annual session this year in 174 MEMOIR OF November, at Lynn. The first day was given to business, the last to public religious services. The important business, however, seemed to have been left until the last day. A very vigorous discussion came up in reference to the faith necessary to constitute a person a Universalist. There seemed to be an impression among a large number of the ministers and lay delegates that it was time to define what Christian faith is, in order to meet the exigencies of the tunes. The main question seemed to be, .whether a man ought to be sustained as a Christian clergyman who sets aside the pecu- liarly divine character of Jesus Christ, and the account given of his miracles in the Scriptures, and of his resurrection, the greatest miracle of all. It was thought that a person who did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus could not be in faith a Christian ; and no one who disavows miracles can believe in his resurrection. There had been such signs of defection among certain self-styled reformers, that it was deemed necessary for the Association to define the ground on which it stood. And there was an evident readiness for this step on the part of the attendants at that meeting. The subject was discussed with much ability on Thursday ; but there was not tune to come to a definite conclusion. The Association, therefore, adjourned to Cambridgeport, there to hold an extraordinary session on Wednesday, the first day of December. This session was well attended, and a very deep interest was evinced in its proceedings. Rev. A. A. Miner was Moderator of the meeting, and Rev. E. Fisher, Clerk. The Resolution presented at the former session at Lynn, and reported again at the present one, was the following, offered by a committee appointed for the purpose : ''Resolved, That fhis Association express its solemn con- viction, that, in order for one to be regarded as a Christian THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 175 minister with respect to faith, he must believe in the Bible account of the life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrec- tion of the Lord Jesus Christ." A minority report bj* one of the Committee was offered, as follows : ' ' Resolved, That the articles of faith adopted by the Gen- eral Convention of Universalists in 1803 are sufficient for all practical purposes, as it respects the Christian belief." The first question before the meeting at Cambridgeport was the unfinished business at Lynn ; viz., the motion to set aside the Resolution offered by the committee, and substitute the minority report. At the beginning of the discussion, a motion prevailed, by a large vote, that no person should speak more than fifteen minutes at a time ; nor more than once, if any other wished to speak : a wise resolution, which prevented long and tedious speeches. The discussion was pertinent and animated. The chief speakers in favor of the Resolution offered by the majority of the Committee were, Rev. Messrs. E. Fisher, L. R. Paige. S. Cobb, T. Whittemore, T. D. Cook, C. H. Fay, H. Ballou 2d, J. G. Adams, H. Ballou, A. A. Miner. Those in advocacy of the minority Resolution were, Rev. Messrs. J. "NV. Hanson, J. Prince, J. M. Spear, E. Thompson. Mr. Whittemore. in his remarks, said that " he wished no other rule than what we have in the Profession of Faith made in 1803. But he did not want this Profession to be put to a perfidious use. He was perfectly satisfied with the Conven- tion's Profession, if it were received in the same sense in which the Convention uttered it. We have no right to put an utterly different sense on that Profession from that which the Convention put upon it. and then claim that we believe it. This was doing by the Profession what some men did by the Bible : they made an entirely different book of it from 176 MEMOIR OF what was originally intended, and then claimed to be be- lievers in the Bible. We must receive the Bible in its true and proper sense ; in the sense its different authors attached to it. Here are men around us who are unwilling to receive the Bible account of the life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection of Christ. How then, in any true sense, can they be said to receive the Convention's Profession of faith ? Is it to be supposed for one moment that the Committee who drew up the Convention's Profession fort}*- five years ago, believed as some do who oppose the main resolution here to- day? Is it to be supposed that Zebulon Streeter did not hold to the Bible account of Christ? Could this be said of George Richards? or of Walter Ferris? or of Zephaniah Lathe? Those four men were the Committee who drafted the Convention's Profession, in connection with one other individual ; and it is a remarkable fact that the individual referred to (the only surviving member of the Committee appointed in 1802) was here present with us this day ; and the hand of that very individual drafted the Resolution which some of the members of the present Association were seeking to thrust aside. Was there, then, any contradiction between the Convention's Profession and the Resolution of the Com- mittee here to-day ? None at all ; they both agreed in spirit : but the latter was brought in to guard the former against misuse. Which was the most likely, that our venerable Father Ballou would best know the real intent of the Conven- tion's Profession of Faith, or those men who have been known among us at the best but five or six years? If, therefore," said Mr. Whittemore, " the business should take such a form, that he should be required to give a direct vote on the Com- mittee's Resolution, he should certainly vote in the affirma- tive." By a previous vote, the discussion was to close at half-past THOMAS WHITTEUORE. 177 four o'clock. The Resolution of the Committee was sustained by a very large majority of the clergy and laity. Some of the few who voted for the minority Resolution affirmed that the}- did so, not because of their doubts of the Bible account of Christ, his works and his life, but because of their scruples as to the propriety of making this new statement at that time. That the movement was an exceedingly proper one, however, has been the conviction of by far the greater part of our churches and congregations of professed Universalists to this hour. It was a wise, timely, honest, and faithful utterance on their part against the loose German Rationalism and speculative free-thinking and doubting then so rife in New England and elsewhere ; and in affirmation of their faith in the Christ of the New Testament, and his Gospel of Uni- versal Grace and Salvation. Mr. Whittemore, some weeks after this decision at Cambridgeport, writes in the Trumpet : "Most of the laymen who come into our office of whom there are many at this season of the year speak with very high approbation of the late meeting of the Boston Associ- ation. All who express their opinions say to us, ' Stand by the Bible, Brother Whittemore : we shall never get an}' thing better.' " Again : " We did not know before the depth of the reverence for the Scriptures which the great bod}' of Uni- versalists entertained. We knew that great efforts had been made to spread false notions in regard to the divine character of the New Testament ; and although Universalists from the beginning had been led to believe that the Bible is the Word of God ; although the}- were so taught by Murray, Winches- ter, Barnes, Streeter, Richards, and others, we did not know that the efforts of certain men to undermine our confidence in the Bible had been almost altogether without effect. Yet such seems to be the fact. The great body of the Universalist laity have proved their soundness in respect to the Bible." 12 178 MEMOIR or In February of this year (1848), there appeared in the newspapers a call for an Anti-Sabbath Convention by 31 Garrison, Parker, Wright, Foster, and others, prominent anti-slavery men and advocates of reform. Mr. "NVhittemore gives in his paper an account of the meeting, \vhich was held two days in the Melodeon ; a meeting which he considered as designed to destroy ' ' all reverence and all regard for the Sabbath as a day of sacred rest." There was not a unanimity of opinion on the part of those who had called the meeting. Rev. Theodore Parker introduced a series of resolutions ex- pressive of a belief that the habit of assembling on the first day of the week, though not a sacred day. for the purposes of spiritual and moral instruction, was not amiss. The load- ers, however, would not tolerate this idea. The whole plat- form objected to it. The Sabbath could never be broken down if people were encouraged to go to meeting on that y the company. Mr. William H. Richardson, Jr., of Maiden, presided, and made a very appropriate opening speech. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. E. G. Brooks, T. B. Thayer, H. P. Cutting, II. B. Soule, T. Starr King, J. Bo}-den, John Moore, S. Streeter, Hosea Ballou, lion. Richard Frothingham, and others. Father Ballon was in his happiest mood. Speaking of reform, he said: "This work of reform has gone on so effectually, that even the old God himself in whom the theologians used to believe, has got reformed. He is so changed that the old clergy, if they were to hear him described now, would not know him ! The old divinity is gone. Our heavenly Father has become our real Father. The work is going on: it will go on to the end and prosper." The speeches were inter- spersed with appropriate songs and hymns. THOMAS WHITTEMOEE. 201 ' ' Are we the enemy of revivals ? " is a question which he attempts to answer in an editorial. " When men ignorant of religion are brought to understand and believe it, religion is revived ; and when disciples increase in knowledge and faith, religion is revived. Paul exhorted the Colossians to hold fast their connection with the head (Christ) , ' from which all the body, by joints and bands having nourishment and knit to- gether, increaseth with the increase of God.' This is the true spiritual increase, the true revival of religion in the hearts of believers. The disciples said to Jesus, ' Lord, in- crease our faith.' ' And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you ' (1 Thess. iii. 12). This was a prayer for a revival of religion. When sinful men break off their sins and turn to righteousness ; when believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of God ; when the practical duties of religion are more strictly attended to, we have surest evidences of a true revival of religion. ' Who will not pra}~, in view of such a blessing, ' O Lord, revive th}' work ' ? But how blind are the great body of pro- fessors of religion to the beauty of this subject. To them a revival of religion is a mere increase of zeal, an increase of sectarian feeling, of bitterness towards other sects, an in- creased fear of endless damnation, an increased excitement, especially among young persons, crying, ' What shall I do to be saved ? ' which means, ' What shall I do to be saved from the pains of hell for ever ? ' Call } r ou this a revival of re- ligion, and an acceptable work of the Lord? Is there more love in the times of these sectarian revivals than at ordinary times ? We all know there is not. We describe a true re- vival as a revival of religion ; but a false revival we call a revival of sectarianism. Here is the difference : the one aims at the good of man, the other at the aggrandizement of sect ; 202 MEMOIR OF the one is promoted by the influence of truth, the other by false doctrine ; the one is carried on \>y addressing the reason and conscience of men, the other by addressing their fears. For these reasons, we have aimed for man}' years to put the public on their guard against spurious revivals of religion, so called. There is much false religion in the world. We have never de- nied the benefit of pure religion. We have prayed and labored for its advancement ; and we will continue to pray, ' Thy king- dom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.' " The Massachusetts Convention held its session this year (1850) inMilford. Mr. Whittemore preached the Occasional Sermon. He writes of the session, that it was largely attended b}' the people, that at all the services the house was full. "The conference meeting on Thursday evening was rich, spiritual, free. In the hymns, every one seemed to sing with the spirit and the understanding also. It was a sublime chorus of praise. Too much cannot be said of the hospitality, politeness, and attention of the members of the Society. Eveiy house was thrown open, and, upon every door-post was written, ' Welcome.' The Society is enjoying a season of high prosperity under the labors of our young and energetic brother, Henry A. Eaton." " A Sabbath at Medford," is one of the recollections which he notes in August of this year. " While the Universalist Meeting-house in Medford is undergoing repairs, the I'ni- tariuu and Universalist congregations worship together in the Unitarian house. This arrangement was brought about by the kind offer of the Unitarian Society. The clergymen sit in the pulpit side by side ; the Unitarian pastor (Rev. John Pierpont) preaches in the forenoon, and the Universalist in the afternoon. They interchange services in the devotional parts. How vividly this brings to mind the language of the Psalmist, 'Behold, how goad and how pleasant it is for THOMAS WIHTTEMORE. 203 brethren to dwell together in unity ' ! It became our duty to preach in Medford, in the Unitarian pulpit, two or three weeks ago, on exchange with Rev. H. Ballon 2d, and we had for our coadjutor Rev. Mr. Fuller, of Manchester, N.H., who had exchanged with Rev. Mr. Pierpont on that day. It was not in our power to be present in the morning, and we lost, therefore, the pleasure of hearing him. He offered prayer in the afternoon, and listened to our discourse. The audience was large and attentive, embracing man}' of the principal men of the town. We selected for our subject the nature of false and true worship ; and we preached precisely as we should have preached anywhere else. The people heard as if they loved the word spoken. It was the doctrine of the Bible that touched their hearts. Ma}' God bless the Unitarian parish in Medford, and their faithful and devoted pastor ; and may they grow not merely in numbers, but in the better sense of increase in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. And may the Universalist church, under the charge of that good man, Rev. Hosea Ballou 2d, profit by the lesson of liberality and Christian kindness which their brethren have set them." Of " The Bible before all Creeds," he writes, significantly : ' M<-n have great attachment to their creeds. I believe, with the most of men, is a fixed position, from which it is very difficult to remove them. We go for the Bible. This is, in our view, the highest authority ; above reason, but not against it ; above all philosophies, all creeds, all fancies. The Bible is the sun ; the creeds are the clocks which men have in- vented by which to denote the hours of the day. The sun we know is sure ; but clocks may be out of order, and may not denote the true time. When there is a sensible variation be- tween the sun and the clock, which shall we follow? Shall we undertake to regulate the former by the latter? Surely we ought to believe the sun against the clock, and not the 204 MEMOIR OF dock against the sun. So we ought to believe the Bible against the creeds, and not set up the creeds against the Bible. Now, God says in his word, that he will 'gather together all things in Christ ; ' that ' unto Jesus every knee shall bow, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' The creeds deny this ; which shall we believe, the Bible or the creeds ? " The execution of Dr. John "W. Webster for the murder of Dr. George Parkman, of Boston, calls forth a new protest against capital punishment from the pen of Mr. Whittemore. He is replying to an article from the New York Express, vindi- cating the gallows, and especially in reference to the case of Webster. He doubts the favorable effect of the gallows in deterring men from crime, and denies that blood for blood is the requirement of the divine law as revealed under the Chris- tian dispensation. Of the olden utterance, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," he asks, " Is this a command, or is it a prophecy of what should happen among men ? Perhaps it may be said that the Jewish law denounced capital punishment on offenders ; and, as that was a divine law, it shows that capital punishment was just. So it was in that age and among the Jews. But is the Jewish law in force now ? Are we under the law ? Was not the law done away in Christ? If we are under the law, then ought we to punish disobedience to parents, and even the trivial offence of picking up chips upon the Sabbath-day, with death. Now, as no one would contend for this, we see full well that we cannot comply with the terms of the Jewish law. We say again, we are not under the law, but the Gospel. "Does the Gospel sanction capital punishment? If so, we will yield the point. Does the Gospel, demand an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, or life for life? Does the voice of the Gospel say, Hang the murderer? Did Jesus THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 205 pray that his murderers might be hung? Did he approve the request of his disciples when they wished power to call down fire from heaven to consume his enemies ? Did he order the Pharisees to stone the woman taken in the act of sin, a sin punished with death under the law of Moses ? No, Jesus never uttered a syllable that would justify the punishment of death." The United States Convention held its session this year in Buffalo, N.Y. An account of his journey thither is given in the Trumpet. Between Albany and Buffalo, the railroad passengers were detained b3" the conductor, who affirmed that they could go no further, as the engine had given out, and that they must wait until another could come from Buffalo to take them on. An indignation meeting of gentlemen passen- gers was held. The engineer had gone to bed, and refused to be seen. The passengers had no faith in the pretence that an engine was coming from Buffalo to relieve them. They applied to the officers of the Attica & Buffalo Company, and in the morning its president appeared, on his waj 7 to Albany. Finding that his accommodation train loaded with passengers had been l3"ing at Attica since two o'clock in the morning, he set himself earnestly at work to relieve them. He expressed his exceeding sorrow for the disappointment, and offered to make any satisfaction in his power. It was finally agreed that he should pay to each single passenger three dollars, and to each gentleman and lady five dollars, for the expense, fatigue, and disappointment they had suffered. Thus ended the disagree- able affair. The Convention at Buffalo was well attended, and the busi- ness and devotional meetings were of much interest. Reso- lutions in reference to the death of Rev. Stephen R. Smith were adopt-, d. and a committee of three appointed to tender in person, to the family of the departed, the sentiments of the Convention. 206 ' MEMOIR OF During this Western visit, Mr. Whittemore takes occasion to visit Niagara again. He gives a vivid description of the Rapids, and of the Falls on the American side, as seen from Goat Island. " The precipice, as far as the eye can reach, is about 160 feet. No mortal eye ever saw the bottom, or mortal hand ever sent down a measuring-line. Probably the depth of water below the reach of human sight is as much more. But call the depth of the fall 160 feet, for such it ap- pears to be. Now imagine a branch of a river nearly a quarter of a mile in width, driven along with unlimited fury, and precipitated from such a height ; and what would be the scene ? How would the sheet look as it rolled over the shelf? How, as it began to expand and separate into particles, form- ing a million jets, and every one of these a thousand more, being received into the boiling receptacle, an immense volume of foam white as the purest snow ? What would be the roar of this concussion of water, air, and rocks ? No one can imagine it ; and you only stand still in amazement, fixed to the spot." On his return home, he delivered an evening lecture in the Universalist church in Buffalo. The "Female Samaritan Society" held its thirty-third Anniversary on Sunday evening, Oct. 27, in the First Univer- salist Church in Hanover Street (Rev. S. Streeter's). Mr. Whittemore gave the discourse on the occasion from Mutt. xxv. 40: "Inasmuch as 3*6 have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 3-6 have done it unto me." A collection of $120 was taken. Of John Wesley and Adam Clarke, two celebrated English Methodist divines who had been suspected of having strong tendencies to Universalism, he writes about this time: "A writer, at the foot of a letter, sends us one or two quotations from Clarke's Commentary, to show that its author bi-lii-vi'd in the salvation of all men. We are fully of the opinion that THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 207 Dr. Adam Clarke was not a Universalist. A Universalist is one who believes in the ultimate holiness and happiness of all men. Clarke, it is well known, advocated the doctrine of endless misery. There is no proof that Clarke ever intended to profess faith in the salvation of all men ; but on the con- trary he has defended very explicitly, though with sophistical reasoning, the endless continuance of sin and torture. The truth on this subject seems to be this : Clarke, although a professed believer in endless miser}', frequently lays down those principles from which the doctrine of Universalism un- avoidably flows. The same was the case with John AVesley ; and in fact it has been so with a great many others. But they should not be called Universalists unless they intention- ally avowed their faith in Universalism. All we can in good conscience say of them is, that although they professed to believe in endless misery, yet Universalism is a doctrine so congenial to benevolence and good sense, that they could not avoid laying down the principles from which that blessed doctrine flows." It was in the autumn of this year, that a Convention of women was held at Worcester, Mass., to take into considera- tion the subject of " women's rights." It was a new move- ment, and, of course, not a very popular one with the multitude. To many wisely thinking persons in other respects, both men and women, it was an action entirel}* out of place on the part of the "gentler sex." It was a move- ment then in its incipient stages, and very startling to many cautious and conservative minds. Mr. AVhittemore was among the number who saw it in this light, and could not resist the inclination to give the Worcester Convention a notice expressive of strong dislike as to its intentions. He says of the meeting : "We scarcely know who was present. Some distinguished female talkers were there, whose husbands 208 MEMOIR OF at home must have had a time of heavenly stillness during their absence. This is the only good, so far as we can see, that will ever grow out of the Convention. Judge not the women of Massachusetts by this motley assembly. The women of Worcester had a right to assemble, for aught we know, and had also a right to express their opinions as to any burdens under which they labored ; but they had no right to speak in behalf of all female humanity. There are thousands and tens of thousands of good, honest, sober- minded women in Massachusetts who will not thank their sisters who assembled at Worcester for presuming to speak in their behalf." He copies a well-written article from the Christian Inquirer (Unitarian) on the same subject, and tak- ing similar views to those expressed by himself. How far his opinions on this question of Woman's position and work might have been modified by tune and observation, we are, of course, unable to say. We have a right to con- clude, however, that he would have weighed the arguments offered by the new reformers with his usual force of discrimi- nation, and perhaps have seen reason to modify or change some of his prejudices against the movement as a whole. We remember that in subsequent years he manifested a deep interest in the public advocacy of the Gospel by women, and was most pleasurably exercised while attending the ministries of one of them (Mrs. Jenkins) , whose addresses in our pul- pits and churches in New England were at the time so very acceptable. The Trumpet of Nov. 30, contains a notice of the death of Uev. Men/ies Kayner in New York city. He has been mentioned before in this biography. He came from the Epis- copal into the Vniversalist Church, and had been pastor in Hartford, Ct., Portland, Me., and Troy, N.Y. He lived during the last of his life with his children in N.Y. ; but con- THOMAS WH1TTEUORE. 209 tinned to preach as his services were called for until a little time before his decease at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. Whitternore writes of him : " For his age he was a man of vigor. He would walk into the country, five, six, eight, or ten miles, upon a Sabbath morning, perform the duties of the day and walk back again at night. To the last he was an open, consistent, candid Universalist. While strength lasted, lu- was ever ready to preach the word. He was a Chris- tian, no rationalist, no half-believer. He was a man of acute logical powers, keen, sagacious, remarkably apt and pungent. His society was prized by all his friends, for the sound judgment he had in Scriptural matters, and for the fund of knowledge and entertainment he possessed." Mr. Whittemore notes the statements of Professor Stuart of Audover, in the Biblical Repository, respecting the many doubters of the doctrine of endless punishment to be found outside the Universalist fraternity, and even in orthodox churches. "There are," says the Professor, "minds of a very serious cast, and prone to reasoning and inquiry, that have in some way come into such a state, that doubt on the subject of endless punishment cannot, without the greatest difficulty, be removed from them. Can heaven itself be a place of happiness for them, while they are conscious that a husband or a wife, a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, is plunged into a lake of fire from which there is no escape ? "With the great mass of thinking Christians, I am sure such thoughts as these must, unhappily for them, be acquaintances too familiar. That they agitate our breasts as storms do the might}' deep will be testified by ever}' man of a tender heart, and who has a deep concern in the present and future welfare of those whom he loves. It would seem to be from such considerations, and others like these, that a belief in the future repentance and recovery of sinners has become so wide- 14 210 MEMOIR OF spread in Germany, pervading even the ranks of those who are regarded as serious and evangelical men in respect to most or all of what is called orthodox doctrine, saving the point before us. Such was the case also with some of the ancient fathers ; and such is doubtless the case with not a few of our day." Mr. Whittemore says: "It should be remembered, in regard to this extract, that it is an apolog}* for those Univer- salists who do not avow their faith ; whose breasts, like the Professor's, are agitated by the doctrine of endless torture, as storms -agitate the mighty deep, but who keep their sus- picions as to the falsity of this doctrine to themselves. There are thousands of such persons connected with orthodox con- gregations ! " THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 211 CHAPTER XL 1851-1852. AGED 51-52. Sickness Spirit Rappings The name Universalist Services at Mil- ford, Mass. The Papal Church Anniversary Week Festival Editorial Chair Rev. D. Thorn of Liverpool U.S. Convention in Boston A Preacher for England What is New-England Theology? A Journey Layman's Letter College Trustees' Meeting Rev. O. Dewey's Lecture Death of Rev. W. Balfour The new College Mrs. Soule's Letter Visit to Washington and other Places Memoir of Rev. W. Balfour Lawrence, Mass. Proposal to Dr. Edward Beecher Anniversary Week Festival Speeches Massa- chusetts Conventional Plymouth Illness of Rev. Hosea Ballou His Death Criticism on Rev. Walter Colton. A SEVERE attack of e^-sipelas kept Mr. TVhittemore for a few weeks confined to his house. The supervision of the Trumpet devolved upon good and read}* helpers. Medical skill and watchful home care soon enabled him to resume his work ; on doing which, he says to the readers of his paper : ' I am permitted once more to take my pen to address you. I have been brought low b}" sickness, a sickness the most severe of airy that I have yet known. My mind is still weak, although I am improving, and I write with an unstead}* hand. The last four weeks have been strange weeks to me. Much of the time I have lain in a stupor, and when roused my mind was filled with the strangest conceits. Mj* face swelled to a frightful size and was hideous to behold. I have gained strength very slowly, and feel very anxious to return to my 212 MEMOIR OF duties. I trust soon to come to you again in the columns of the Trumpet ' in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.' " Of his experience in sickness, he says: "In our lucid moments, during our late confinement, we had abundant op- portunity to reflect upon the nature and tendency of the doc- trine we had preached. It appeared to the soul a glorious doctrine. Nothing can be so rich in sickness and death as a strong faith in Universalism. The fact which predominated in our mind was, that it is God's word. We could rejoice that we had defended this doctrine. It seemed to us at one time that an angel spoke to us, and said, ' You have done well, as much as one could do in the same length of time ; you have preached much, written much in favor of the truth ; well done, good and faithful servant.' This was one of the happy illusions that came over the mind while it was weak- ened by disease. Now that we are getting strong again, we shall return to our work. We have no new doctrine to pro- pose. Our faith in Universalism is as strong as ever. We say with great fulness of feeling, ' Give us Universalisni in health ; Universalism in sickness ; Universalism in life ; and Universalism in death.' " His mind is exercised of course in reference to the " Spirit Rappings " now rife in the land. Facetiously and soberly he writes : "It is needless for us to say that we have no faith in this thing. The reason is, we have never heard the rappings. Either there are no spirits where we are accustomed to be, or else they do not rap. It may be asked, why do you not go and see the young ladies to whom or by whom the spirits rap? For two reasons : 1. We object to running after spirits ; and 2. We object to running after the young ladies. The spirits can come to us much easier than we can go to them. If they are really spirits, they can pass a distance of a thou- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 213 sand miles in the twinkling of an eye. If we should set out to go after them, and they should seek to keep away from us, we could not catch them. We shall not attempt, therefore, to run after the spirits. But, if they will come where we are, we shall be very happy to see their antics and hear their rap- pings ; and they shall be accommodated in the best room in our house, if they will not break the furniture. "As to the young women, there is something suspicious. Cannot the spirits communicate without the aid of young women? Would not young men do as well? or old men? Cannot the spirits communicate directly with the inquirer, without the intervention of a mediator? We do not under- stand these things. We strongly suspect there is humbug somewhere. We may not be able to point it out ; but if every thing is honest what is the need of a third person in the case? If we were going to consult the spirits, we should request the young ladies to retire ; and we would attempt ourself to call the ' spirits from the vasty deep.' If they would not come, we would tell them that we had a poor opin- ion of them. "Where have these spirits been until now? Horace Greeley told us that the world had not been sufficiently en- lightened for the spirits to visit it until recently. Enlight- ened ! The darker the world, the more need of light from the spirits. They would let their light shine in a dark place, if they were from heaven. We ask for an interview with the spirits without the aid of the young women." "The name Universalist " is a topic to which he directs special attention. " Some think the name Universalist an improper one. We think otherwise. We know of no one that will better express the greatness and goodness of our sentiments. Universalists are not Partialists : Universalism is not Partialism. Any 214 MEMOIR OF system which confines salvation to a part of mankind, or which teaches that a part of mankind only will be saved (from whatever cause their want of salvation may arise) is 7>flr/-ialism. The name is proper ; and is no disgrace, unless the doctrine itself which is described by it is a disgrace. On the contrar}', the doctrine which teaches the salvation of the whole world, of all men, of the universe of human beings, is Univcrsalism. It is a glorious idea ; ' God in Christ, rec- onciling the world unto himself.' God-like ! Christ-like ! heavenly ! angelic ! The will of God, the death of Christ, the joy of heaven, the hopes of angels, are all in favor of Universalism." On the first of Ma}* of this j^ear (1851), there were services of great interest to the Universalists of Milford, Mass. The new church edifice was dedicated ; the venerable Father Bal- lou, just passed his eightieth year, preaching the sermon with apparently the vigor of youth. The new pastor, Rev. Henry A. Eaton, was installed, the sermon by Mr. Whitte- more, from 2 Cor. iv. 1 : " Therefore, seeing we have this ministiy, as we have received mercy we faint not." In the evening, a church of Christian believers just formed was pub- licly recognized ; sermon by Rev. O. A. Skinner. The Fel- lowship of Churches was given b}~ Rev. J. G. Adams. He takes occasion just now to speak of Catholicism, in noticing an article in another Universalist journal, deprecat- ing the indiscriminate abuse which Catholics seem to be re- ceiving from most Protestant sects. " Universalists," says this journal, " whose motives for supporting their religion are so often impugned, should learn to look with charity upon the motives which attach others to their peculiar views." 3Ir. AVhittcinoiv writes : "Catholics are entitled to all the privi- leges enjoyed 1>\ other sects, and no more. Catholicism is one form of Partialism, and is rapidly increasing in this THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 215 country, not by making new prosetytes, but by the immi- gration of foreigners. So far as Catholicism is an error, it should be exposed, like all other errors. We have resolved to oppose all error, wherever found, without respect of per- sons. Catholics should not be attacked in a bad spirit, any more than any other sect. A bad spirit is the worst religion a man can have. If we cannot oppose error in a good spirit, we had better not oppose it at all. " We confess that we are afraid of the Catholic or (as we prefer to sa} r ) , the Papal religion. We are afraid of the order of Jesuits, who are insinuating themselves into every part of the country. Nursed in the midst of the scenes of the Inquisition ; believing that it is right to lie, defraud, and even to commit murder, for the support of the Papal religion, sworn to be enemies to all who are not friends to the Catholic church, we deprecate their increase in this country. Their spirit is most intolerant. The past and present are full of evidences of this statement. But we see little to choose between Papal Partialism and Protestant Partialism. Protes- tants, however, have not been nursed in the lap of the In- quisition ; they have no Jesuits, no Dominicans, no trained bands for secret service, ready to peril character and life for the cause they have espoused. We have no doubt that there are Catholics of an excellent spirit among us ; but this fact does not alter the general character of the Papal religion. We repeat, that we lament its increase among us." Anniversary Week brings the Reform Association together again. The business meeting was held in the Warren Street church, Rev. O. A. Skinner, pastor. The Secretary, Rev. H. Bacon, presented an admirable Report. It alludes to the efforts of woman to exalt her sisterhood, and to the contempt- uous sneers with which the movement has been met ; gives valuable information and statistics in regard to capital pun- 216 MEMOIR OF ishment and the Temperance Reform, on the vice of gambling, and on the substitution of arbitration as a substitute for a resort to war. "The monster evil, American Slaver}-," is handled with vigor, and dealt with justly. The Secretary's definition of conscience, as given by Daniel Webster in his own words, and in such glaring contrast to his advice to Northerners to obey and execute the Fugitive-slave law. is simply withering. The Festival was held in Central Hall, Milk Street. Hon. Israel Washburn, Jr., of Maine, presided, who made a stirring opening address. He was followed by Rev. John Moore, of New Hampshire ; Rev. T. Starr King, in one of his happiest efforts ; Rev. H. Bacon, Rev. A. D. Mayo, Rev. Eli Ballou, of Vermont; P. H. Sweetser, Esq., Rev. Mr. Gay lord. V\~. H. Richardson, Jr., Rev. J. W. Hanson, and others. Mr. Whittemore writes of the occasion : ' ' Very unexpectedly to ourself, we were called away on the previous day, and it was impossible for us to be present. It was the first annual din- ner we have not attended since the festivities commenced. It was a great privation to lose not the eatables (for those we can get anywhere) , but ' the feast of reason and flow of soul.' The occasion is spoken of as one of the most spark- ling and exhilarating the Association has ever enjoyed." The present of a new " Editorial Chair" from the Ameri- can Chair Company, Troy, N.Y., is the occasion of a note of admiration in view of its convenience and perfectness. " It is an admirable piece of workmanship. The frame is of iron, finely wrought, presenting a light and beautiful appearance, and rolling on substantial brass castors. The seat and back are stuffed with the best of hair, and covered with purple plush ; they rest on eight cast-steel semicircular springs, and so revolve on a pivot that the person seated in it seems almost suspended in mid-air, in a delightful position, and can THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 217 whirl about in readiness to face either friend or foe, from whatever quarter he may come, with an extended hand and a benevolent heart for either." In the Universalist for July, 1851 (an English publication), Rev. D. Thorn of Liverpool, a believer and preacher of the doctrine of Universal Salvation, takes occasion to state his opposition to some of the opinions of American Universalists, and express his regret that these opinions are getting such hold upon the pubh'c mind in this country. In reply to his statements, Mr. Whittemore writes : *' We do not think Dr. Thorn has described correctly the Universalism of America : he certainty has not described Universalism as we hold it. He says, ' Human free will, conditional salvation, and a mere moral change of sentiments and conduct, substituted for God's sovereignty, the finished work of Jesus Christ, and the new creation of the conscience by divine truth and love, are now the idols of American Universalists.' Suffice it to say that this is not Universalism as we hold it. But if the Universalism of the United States were to be correctly described, Dr. Thorn does not hold it. He is a Trinitarian ; and the great body of American Universalists are not Trini- tarians. He is a believer in the Calvinistic doctrine of the atonement, and we are believers in the Scriptural doctrine of the atonement. That is the difference in reality. We lament that Universalism has never been presented in England in its true form. The Relleyans have gone down. Men of sound sense, who understood the Scriptures, cannot be made to receive that system. It lived for a time, and then died out. The Universalism of Winchester and Vidler and Richard Wright has been swallowed up in Unitariauism. Universal- ism, as it exists in the United States, has never been known in Britain. . Mr. Thorn's form of Universalism never will prevail. It has as yet shown not the slightest signs of prog- 218 MEMOIR OF ress. But in our judgment, if the opinions of the American Universalists were to be preached in Great Britain by preach- ers of the right talent, it would find a ready access to many hearts." The United States Convention again held its annual ses- sion in Boston. There was a full attendance. It was a time of much excitement in and around the city on account of the Railroad Jubilee, or grand fete which the city gave to the people and rulers of Canada, on the event of the connection of Boston Harbor with Quebec and Montreal by means of railroads. Meetings were held in the different churches of the city. The Occasional Discourse was delivered by Rev. Eli Ballou, of Vermont. Stirring conferences were held, and a meeting of much interest in reference to the proposed liter- ary institution preceded the other meetings, on Tuesday after- noon. Father Ballou preached at the First Church, in Hanover Street, on Thursday P.M. The communion service followed. There were two hundred and twenty ministers present. There is a desire at this time, which finds expression in the Trumpet, that a preacher be sent out from America to England to proclaim the Gospel of " glad tidings." One thousand dol- lars are offered by one person for this purpose, and contribu- tions from others are solicited. Rev. A. C. Thomas seems to be the person unanimously designated to go on this mission. Mr. Whittemore is warmly in favor of it. Arrangements were subsequently made which resulted in the proposed mis- sion on the part of Mr. Thomas. " What is New England Theology ? " is a question asked by the Congregationalist of Oct. 31. A grave question. Mr. AVhittemore thinks, and one which it would puzzle the ques- tioner to answer. "Orthodoxy has rh;mi;vy Rev. H. Bacon. Two original hymns were sung: one by Mrs. X. T. Munroe, the other by Mrs. Mary T. Goddard. Rev. A. A. Miner delivered the address ; Rev. H. Ballou, D.D., President of the College, laid the corner-stone; Rev. W. H. Ryder offered the concluding prayer, and gave the benediction. Social greetings were enjoj-ed by the multitude after these sen-ices were ended. To one of the stale jokes on Uuiversalists about their views of the devil, Mr. Whittemore deems it his duty to apply in answer a brief editorial admonition : " We said, two or three weeks since, that we were about to publish a sermon of our own writing, from the text, ' Resist the devil and he will flee from 3~ou.' On this the editor of the Cambridge Chronicle (printed in the city where we dwell) remarks : " ' The editor of the Trumpet notifies his readers that he is to publish one of his own sermons, from the text, " Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Brother Whittemore. we think, must have received some new light ; for we have alwavs supposed, from the tone of his paper, that there was no devil to resist. We would suggest whether it would not be better to wait till cooler weather ; for fleeing from old Cloven-foot about these days would be dreadfully hot.'" The Trumpet editor reph'es : "We have seen no new light on the subject referred to. It is the editor of the Chronicle 246 MEMOIR OF who needs the new light. He says he always supposed we held that there is no devil to resist. Therein he was in dark- ness, for we never held any such thing. He then suggests that we had better wait for cooler weather, ' for fleeing from old Cloven-foot about these da3*s would be dreadfully hot.' Fleeing ! We said not one word about fleeing from him. A droll waj*, indeed, would it be to resist the devil by running away from him. When the Irish soldier boasted that his regiment made a glorious resistance to the enemy, he was asked how they did it. ' Och, upon my soul, sir, we run away from them.' The Chronicle is evidently confused in its ideas." A subscriber desired an expression of his opinions on spir- itualism, as his mind was much exercised on the subject, which was eliciting so much attention at that time. Mr. Whittemore very readily and candid 1}' replied : " The truth is, we have no knowledge to communicate. If we turn to our own experi- ence on the subject, we find that it has been very small. No spirits ever appeared to us, either good or evil. We have heard very little of the rappings, and seen very little of the writings. We have put ourself in the way of getting knowl- edge, but it did not come. We have been to see those who were called good mediums ; but it happened, unfortunately, that, whenever we were present, the manifestations were not as they were said to have been at other times. " But we are far from saying that the whole matter is a de- ception. We have no doubt that many honest people believe in the spiritual manifestations. We do not believe that these persons are all dishonest who profess to have held communion with the spirits. That there may have been artful and de- signing men and women engaged in these matters who have professed things not true, we have no doubt ; and the same fact is true in regard to religion. Men are hypocrites in re- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 247 ligion who profess much that is not true ; but we do not con- demn all religion on that account. It is going too far to say that all who profess to have held communion with spirits are dishonest. But, let it be remembered, it does not prove that the spirits of the departed produce the rappings merely be- cause honest persons sometimes think so ; for honest persons are sometimes in error. We are waiting for light ; but perhaps we shall not get it in this world. There are man}' mysteries yet to be revealed. Perhaps, in the course of future examinations, it will be proved that the spirit-rappings, so called, are produced by natural causes now unknown to men. While the subject remains in so much doubt, we suggest to all to cultivate charity. No one has yet obtained perfect satisfaction on either side ; and those who are the most confident in their assertions are, per- haps, least to be depended upon. We say again, then, culti- vate charity. ' Let ever}* man be fully persuaded in his own mind.' " The thirteenth session of the Rockingham Association was held this year in Atkinson, N.H. The attendance was good. A funeral discourse on the death of Captain John Bassett, of Atkinson, was delivered on the morning of the first day by Rev. T. J. Greenwood. Mr. Whittemore preached a spirited discourse on the last afternoon to a large audience. A social conference in the evening closed the session. On the Sabbath succeeding this meeting of the Association, Mr. Whittemore preached in the pulpit of Rev. Mr. Chapin's church, in New York city. The day seems to have been one of much enjoyment to him. On Monda}-, he had a very agreeable meeting with his ministering brethren and others, at the Ambassador office, in New York. He afterwards visited the Crystal Palace, and gives a very full account of his ob- servations there, in his paper. 248 MEMOIR OF A new book appears at this time from the pen of Dr. Edward Beecher, of Boston ; son of Dr. Lyman Beecher, and pastor of one of the orthodox churches in the city. It is en- titled, " The Conflict of Ages ; or, the Great Debate on the Moral Relations of God and Man." The author of the work, finding himself unable to defend the doctrine of endless punishment on the old grounds, has, in this work, sought out a new way of doing it. Mr. Whittemore, in an editorial article of some length, reviews the work. We present a few extracts from it. Speaking of its author, he says: "He maintains that orthodox}*, as it has been taught, has been like a steamer, the wheels of which revolve in opposite direc- tions, the pilot of which, therefore, cannot control it, and which does nothing but sail in a circle. He affirms that there is a constant theological conflict between the different parts of the orthodox creed, and between different schools of their divines : that the principles of honor and right in man are the same in nature as the same principles in God ; that God is bound by these principles ; that if God gave existence to men with a nature radically depraved and corrupt anterior to any desire or choice of their own, with full power to do evil and none to do good, and then placed them under the all-pen-ad- ing influences of corrupt social systems ; and, in addition to all this, subjected them to the tremendous and delusive power of malignant spirits, fearfully skilled in the work of develop- ing, maturing, and confirming original native depravity, if God did this, we cannot (says Dr. Beecher) say that he has fulfilled towards his creatures the demands of honor and right, as these principles have been implanted in ourselves by him. " Here, then, is the conflict. Orthodox}', as it has been taught, outrages our moral sense : it is opposed to the sense of honor and right which God has given us. Orthodoxy THOMAS WHJTTEMORE. 249 teaches us to love our enemies, and yet teaches us that God hates them. Thus one wheel of the steamboat revolves in one direction, and the other in the opposite, and therefore the vessel cannot go ahead. So with orthodoxy : it cannot go ahead ; it cannot prosper. Orthodox sects may advance, build churches, multiply numbers ; but the dogmas, the creeds, remain the same confused mass, confusing all who seek to understand or to explain them. Such is the CONFLICT which Dr. Edward Beecher has developed." Mr. Whittemore goes on to show that this conflict which Dr. Beecher has just discovered, was seen and described by Universalists long ago ; that all the principal advocates of our faith have taken a similar view with him of its contradic- tions and absurdities. He says, again : " Dr. Beecher's book has grown up out of the conviction on his part, that orthodox}' must be readjusted, or else the world will take refuge in Uni- versalism. It gives to orthodoxy the severest blow it has ever had, considering the quarter from whence it comes. The family of Beechers are doing a great work in renovating the old C'alvinistic creed. They seem to be digging away the foun- dation of orthodoxy. The}- inherit the propensities from their venerable father, who was himself the son of a black- . smith in Connecticut, and who has learned to deal many a hard blow. Dr. Lyinan Beecher departed from orthodoxy twenty- five years ago in several important respects. We hope the good work will go on. The doctrine of endless misery is destined to fall. It is a horrid doctrine, and must come down. It is the Bastile in theology, and the public are shouting, ' Raze it to the ground ! Let it no longer disfigure the fair city of the New Jerusalem ! ' ' The Boston Association this year held its annual session in Danversport. Mr. "NVhittemore was chosen Moderator. The Occasional Sermon was delivered by Rev. T. B. Thayer. 250 MEMOIR OF Mr. AVhittemore preached on the afternoon of the second day of the meeting. The clerk of the session, Rev. C. Damon, sa3 T s of the discourse : " The preacher took for his text. Acts xvii. 18 : ' He preached unto them Jesns and the resurrection.' And that which the apostle preached unto others was on this occasion preached faithfully unto us. It was a pure Gospel sermon: the words " spoken to us were spirit, and they were life. The preacher closed his discourse, of which I will not attempt an epitome, by exhorting his brethren in the ministry not only to preach ' Jesus and the resurrection,' but to take heed that they preach the same ' Jesus and the resurrec- tion' which was preached by the apostles; and depart not from the purity of the Gospel and the simplicity that is in Christ." During the years 1851-54 much controversy was carried on respecting the doctrines of the Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency, Future Punishment, and No Future Punish- ment. Rev. Messrs. T. J. Sawyer, J. M. Austin, and T. Stan- King were among the principal writers in advocacy of the doctrine of future punishment, and Mr. AVhittemore, Rev. I. D. Williamson and others of those who denied that evidence existed in the Scriptures of the extension of punishment into the future or resurrection state. The Universal 1st Quarterly came in for a share of criticism on the part of Mr. Whitte- more for its apparent departure from the "distinctive" Uni- versalism of the past. The controversialists on each side were keenly alive to the topics in hand, and there wa- even a suggestion that a new paper might be started in Boston in advocacy of a Universalism that would give more prominence to the doctrines of human agency and future punishment. In reference to such a movement, Mr. AVhittemore writes : "We merely say. that as \ve conduct the Trumpet according to our best ability and our conscientious convictions of duty, THOMAS WIIITTEMORE. 251 and as we defend in its columns -what we fully believe, we cannot change our course, even if fifty new papers were threatened to be set up alongside of us. A man who pub- lishes a paper merely for the sake of a part}' is worthy only of defeat. We cannot change our course until God changes our opinions. The Bible, and the Bible .only, has made us what we are. If the old Bible should be withdrawn by proper authority, and a new one be set up in its place, we do not know what might then happen; but, as it is, we must walk in the good old way." l The new paper, however, did not appear. Mr. Whittemore, in all his controversial course, manifested the strongest interest in contesting the doctrine of the pun- ishment of souls after death, or in connection with their rising into the future life. He was evidently wedded to the opinions of the elder Hosea Ballou on this subject. The pro- fessed ground of his objection to the doctrine of future pun- ishment was, that he did not find it revealed in the Scriptures. He asked for the passages of the Bible that others regarded as evidences of it ; and, when these were presented, he had another explanation of them. "When questioned philosophi- cally or analogically on the subject, he deemed such query- ings of little consequence compared with what the Scriptures affirmed. His views were, as stated by himself (in 1845) : "1. That there is an immortal state ; 2. That that state is a happy one ; and 3. That in describing the resurrection into that state, Jesus and the authors of the New Testament books speak of one resurrection for all men ; it is the resur- rection from THE DEAD. What it is to me it is to all ; all are raised, so far as we can learn from the sacred writers, to the same condition." These opinions he was ever ready to maintain through his ministry, giving no countenance to the 1 Trumpet, Feb. 18, 1654. 252 MEMOIR OF doctrine that character in the present existence could atfect the spiritual life in the future beyond death. In one public utterance, however, recorded as having been made by him, he thus speaks of the work of Christ with souls. The text was 1 Tim. i. 5. Alleging that Christ's work shall go on to its accomplishment, he said : " But when? No man can tell. Will all enter heaven when they die? For himself, he doubted whether even the best Christians were fitted to enter at once on the jo}*s of heaven. He would speak with great caution as to the conditions of the future life, immediately succeeding the present. The future, he believed, would be an advance for all. He could not undertake to say that all would be equal in virtue and happiness. He had been greatly misun- derstood on this point. It was enough for him to feel sure, beyond all doubt, that the Universal Father will for ever seek the good of all." * This was coming nearer than was usual for him to the allowance that possibly all souls would have their different means, spiritually speaking, of entering fully into this resurrection life, this enjoyment of a sinless im- mortalit}'. "The conditions of the future life immediately succeeding the present" respecting these he did not seem to have definite opinions. "The future, however," he be- lieved, " would be an advance for ah 1 ." Precisely what his brethren believers in future punishment, discipline, or in- struction would affirm as their convictions respecting the future life. The controvers}" on this whole subject was carried on for 3'ears with great abilit}', in which Mr. Whittemore's opinions were questioned by some of the clearest and soundest minds in the I'niversalirst church. And they are questioned still, and will be. But one thing is to be remembered to his credit touching this controversy. 1 Quoted by Rev. E. G. Brooks, Universalist Quarterly, July, 1877. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 253 Strongly as he adhered to his own opinions respecting the future life, he opposed all attempts to bring alienation of feeling or divisions among professing Universalists on this account. He had witnessed in the early days of his min- istry what he regarded as an unjust division caused by the Restorationists, and could scarcely free himself from the effects of that experience. Yet he lived on terms of closest friendship with those who differed widely from him on this point, and was un3'ielding in his convictions and affirmations that all were to be accounted as Uuiversalists who believed in the great saving work of Christ with all souls, whatever their differences as to the methods by which they might enter upon the life of final freedom from sin and its effects. It is not, of course, the intent of the writer of this biogra- phy to take up this controversy in these pages. A few fraternal words, however, involving both sides of it, may not be out of place. Among Uuiversalists, the leading advocates of the doctrines of future punishment and of no future punishment have been equally sincere and earnest in their work for the Gos- pel. Mr. Whittemore, in his wa}' of working, was apparently as deeply interested in the religious life of the Universalist Church as was Dr. Ballou, his estimable co-worker. Their conflicting opinions in reference to punishment in the future life did not lessen their anxiety for the spiritual advancement of the Church which they both so worthily represented. The same ma}' be said of others whose differences of opinion were in substance the same. That there were those calling them- selves U niversalists, accepting the doctrine of an instantaneous change from a sinful life here to a sinless one hereafter ; and who, regarding all sin and punishment as necessarily connected with the body, were little inclined to bestir themselves to the work of religious action and spiritual life here, choosing rather to await graduated. He complimented the President upon the success that had attended his labors and his fitness for the position he occupied, and in conclusion invoked the blessing of God upon the institution, its founder, and friends, congratulating the former and the donors upon the success of the glorious enterprise, which had been inaugurated through their efforts. He spoke four minutes. THOMAS WHITTEMOKE. 293 After Mr. Whittemore left home, on the 26th of August, he was absent between five and six weeks. He greatly enjoyed the Connecticut State Convention held at Stafford. Passing on West, he visited Niagara ; and the Sabbath found him there. He writes : " We worshipped God in our own heart, in the solitude of the chamber, and in the deep groves of the surrounding woods. We listened to hear the floods sing his praise. Deep sounded unto deep ; and, as the solemn anthem was pealing, the breath of praise seemed to rise from the abyss like incense from the censer of the great heart of na- ture. Never before had we such a sense of the vastness of God's power. We wonder not that the Psalmist considered all nature to be animate ; and called upon the winds, the hail, the snow, the floods, the vapors to praise the name of the Lord. When we look back upon that Sabbath, it is with feelings of deepest reverence." Crossing Suspension Bridge at Niagara, he passed through Canada to Detroit ; thence to Chicago and Milwaukie. Of Michigan " city" he writes : " The part of it through which we passed was distinguished for sand-hills, repair-shops of the railroad, old cars, old rails, old wheels, and all that sort of thing. There must have been some part of the city we did not see, or it would not be called a city." His first appear- ance in Chicago is rather humorously described : " We are at the depot. On emerging from the cars, we looked up to the roof. The structure the immense trusses amazed us. The floor of this depot seemed almost as large as Boston Common : I am sure it was as large as a part of it. But what a noise ! men must be hired here on purpose to make a noise. I am confident they would not make so great a noise if they did not expect a reward for it. Eveiy one speaks with ah 1 his might, as loud and as rapidly as he can. Some are crying the names of steamboats, their points of destina- 294 MEMOIR OF tion, and hours of departure ; others vociferate the names of hotels, setting forth some favorable characteristic of each. Some cry, ' Hack ! ' others, ' Omnibus line this way, sir ! ' ' Dis way, Master ! ' ' American House ! ' ' Tremont House ! ' ' Deutsches Haus ! ' ' Richmond House ! ' ' Hotel du Peuple ! ' ah 1 , all mixed in one grand Babel. We bore it well, until one rude fellow laid hold of us who seemed determined to have us, until we asked him, ' could he lend us ten dollars ? ' when he instantly forsook us as a man having no cash ! " His description of Milwaukie is well given. He visits Chicago again, and thence goes to Springfield, 111., where he preached on the Sabbath. In this neighborhood, he visited the relatives of Mrs. Whittemore. Leaving Springfield^ he returned to Chicago, and attended the United States Con- vention which was held there. The meetings were very fully attended, and Mr. Whittemore preached during the session. On his return from Chicago to the East, he visited Niagara again. Two accidents occurred here which seemed to imperil the lives of Mr. Whittemore and his company. One was, the breaking of an iron on the carriage as they were descending a danger- ous place near the edge of a precipice ; the other was, their coming near a railroad-crossing when a locomotive was close upon them. They escaped all injury, and had new occasion for thanksgiving to the Providential Guardian of his children amidst the dangers of life. In a day or two he was at his own home again. There could hardly be a more explicit or comprehensive statement than this, in one of his editorials, entitled " Various Kinds of Universalists." " Reader, what kind of a Universal- ist are you? There are different kinds, such as theoretical and practical, zealous and frigid, those who understand the system and those who understand it not. Here are six kinds in this brief enumeration. Reader, to which of these kinds THOMAS WUITTEMORE. 295 do you beloug? Of all kinds, frigid, theoretical Universalists are the worst ; and we are sorry that there should be any such. A person should be at once a practical, zealous, understanding Universalist. Understand the doctrine ; study it ; read books and sermons carefully, and particularly the Bible. Rend your denominationaf*journal. Fill 3'our mind with knowledge on this subject. When }'ou understand the doctrine, act it, practise it. Do every thing as a Uuiversal- ist ; remember in every thing that }'ou are such. It will make you hate profaneness and cursing and bitterness and wrath and auger. Be zealous, and not lukewarm. Be not a doubtful Universalist. You will be an example to others ; and you must be just such a Universalist as you wish them to be." A conference of much interest was held at Roxbury, on Wednesday, Oct. 14. It was called " to consider the need and the means of awakening and developing more spiritual life and religious feeling in our order." Mr. AVhittemore was present, and made some very practical and fervent remarks on the occasion. Rev. W. II. Ryder, pastor of the Universal- ist Church, presided. A visit to Barnstable, in November, is noted. He was welcomed there by Deacon David Parker, fomierl}' of the First Universalist Church in Boston. The place of public service was the Town House. " A crowd of carriages was around it. nnd scores of persons were waiting for the hour of sen-ice. We' entered the house," writes Mr. Whittemore, ''unhappy, because unwell. But the occasion, the singing, and other circumstances, soon gave a better tone to our feelings. We preached to a congregation who gave us a fixed attention for the truth's and not for the speaker's sake. In the after- noon, we had a slightly increased congregation, so that the brethren seemed cheerful and grateful to see that so 296 MEMOIR OF man}* had come together to worship God in Barnstable Town House." He was called to attend the funeral of Deacon X. Froth- ingham, of the Universalist Church in Salem, Mass. The Deacon was an aged and honored believer in the Abra- ham ic faith. Fifty years'before his death, h.e had welcomed Rev. John Murray to his house, and obtained him to preach the Gospel of a world's salvation in Salem. He took his own family Bible to the place of the meeting, from which book Mr. Murray read his text. The volume was preserved ever afterwards as a relic of that event. The Deacon stood very high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. The funeral was at the church, where a conference for the day had been ap- pointed. This was its first service, a solemn and impressive one. Rev. S. Ellis, Rev. E. G. Brooks, and Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Salem, took part in the service. Mr. Whitte- more was called upon to deliver the address, in the absence of Rev. S. Streeter, of Boston, who was kept at home by ill- ness. The conference exercises were held in the church in the afternoon. Mr. Whittemore writes of the meeting : "We are confident it will do good. It was devotional, animated, evangelical, experimental, practical." A conference largely attended, and of deep interest, was held in Worcester, on Wednesda}", Dec. 16. It opened with an address by Rev. Russell A. Ballon, on "The Inward Christian Life," which was followed through the day and evening with many addresses of ministers and laymen. Dr. Alonzo Hill (Unitarian) , of Worcester, was among the speak- ers. Mr. Whittemore made some veiy timely and earnest remarks on family devotion, urging it upon all who had not yet given attention to it. A visit to Rockport, Mass., is noted in the Trumpet. "Nearly a quarter of a century had elapsed since we visited THOMAS WHLTTEMORE. 297 this town. The weather on Saturday seemed to threaten a storm ; but Sunday was clear and bright. There were two services. Large audiences were in attendance. We looked in vain for our old friends, whom we knew years before. They were almost all gone. Those who were then young men, and whom death has spared, are now advanced in life ; and such as were then fathers have nearly all passed away. The society here has been afflicted with a frequent change of pastors." A conference at Lawrence is attended by Mr. Whittemore, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1858. The meetings were all edify- ing, as Mr. Whittemore reports them ; growing in interest through the day and evening. The opening address by Rev. Sumner Ellis, was on the development, the manifesta- tion of the spiritual life. Man}- speakers followed, Mr. Whit- temore among them. He speaks in strong terms of the evening service. "For fifteen years," he writes, "we had not enjoyed a meeting like this. The Spirit of the Lord was there. It was the house of God, the gate of heaven. We need not state who led in pra}-er, for all prayed. Clergymen and laymen testified of the value of the Christian religion. A Methodist brother gave us his experience, and uttered inter- esting reminiscences of the Universalist preachers whom he used to hear in his youth. He loved, he said, the spirit of tliis meeting. He felt that the Spirit of Christ was here. At the later part of the meeting, the speeches were ruled down to five minutes in length. Nine o'clock came, but we were not ready to part. One after another rose, until at last the whole sen-ices were closed by praj-er, about thirty minutes past nine." A Sabbath was spent in Middleboro', Mass., Feb. 7. "The meeting was held in American Hall, a very large room, at the principal village called the ' Four Corners.' People 298 MEMOIR OF came in from neighboring towns, and a large number of the citizens of Middleboro' gathered together. The afternoon meeting was very full. We preached A.M. from Acts xxviii. 22, and P.M. from Heb. x. 23. In the eA'ening, we went to the north part of the town, and delivered a lecture in a large new school-house. More than could be accommodated with places to stand were present. Excepting the excessive labor, we enjoyed a very happy day." In his paper of Feb. 20, Mr. Whittemore notices a book which had been before the public for some little time, en- titled, " Debt and Grace, as related to the Doctrine of a Future Life," by C. F. Hudson. The volume attracted much attention because of its author's advocacy of the doctrine of the annihilation of the wicked in opposition to that of eternal punishment. It is notable, too, on account of the ability of its author, and his very clear and strong arguments against the doctrine of the endless torment of the ' k finally impeni- tent ; " and because, moreover, it was regarded as a kind of oracular utterance on the part of the more scholarly advocates of the " Second Advent " theories. Mr. Whittemore writes of the book : " We have not been so well pleased with it as we expected we should be by the notices we saw of it in some of the public papers. The author has been an orthodox clergyman ; but he was troubled with the doctrine of endless punishment. He could not reconcile it with the justice and mercy of God. His brethren learned that he expressed his doubts on that point, and withdrew their confidence from him. He then became a free man, i.e., somewhat free and somewhat in bondage. Although he saw some of the dilliculties attend- ing the doctrine of endless sin and misery, yet he did not see clearly the way out. lie halted at the doctrine of annihilation. This latter doctrine, it is true, is a favorable modification of the theory of endless sin and pain: but it is not the true THOMAS WHITTEUORE. 299 ' theodicy,' to use our author's favorite word ; it is not a sufficient vindication of the Divine justice. Mr. Hudson has been somewhat of a student, but he has not studied the facts nearest to him. He has been so busily engaged in looking after comets, that he has not seen the familiar constellations, nor Venus, Jupiter, Saturn ; no, nor even the Sun. The great theodicy. Universalism, he scarcely seems to know has existed at all in this country. ' ' To a person who has slightly gone over the field of eccle- siastical history to see what Christian writers have said on the great subject of reconciling theology with the justice, wisdom, and goodness of God, Mr. Hudson's book may appear to be a very valuable one. But it is deficient in many important points. One of its points of principal value is the history it gives of the doctrine of annihilation. But Mr. Hud- son failed to learn that there was such a class of people in the United States as the Universalists. Is not this a singular fact? He does not give a sufficient notice of the great ' theodicy ' of all, the doctrine of the final holiness and happiness of all men. This result is the only sufficient jus- tification of God in the permission of sin, pain, and sorrow in our world. Important as it is, it is passed over slightly in Mr. Hudson's book. Notwithstanding this expression of our opinion, we do not den}' that the book is a valuable one ; but it is valuable more in an historical point of view than for any excellence it has as a vindication of the divine government." A conference' was held at Cambridgeport on the 17th of February. It opened with an address, presenting the leading theme of the day, by Rev. J. G. Adams, of AVorcester, " Religious Culture in the Family." Speakers were read}- and earnest in their addresses. The theme was taken up again in the afternoon, Rev. W. II. Ryder making the opening address. There was an evening meeting of much interest, a 300 MEMOIR OF large number of persons, ministers and laymen, taking part in it. Mr. Whittemore spoke frequently during the services, and offered a very fervent praj^er. The remarks of Rev. L. R. Paige in the evening, on the " Excellency of the Hopes and Consolations of the Gospel," were \ery impressive. " Forty- six years ago," he said, " I brought with me to this city a young family, apparently more likely to survive me than I to survive them. They, and others afterwards added, are de- parted, and I am left. During my residence here, I have followed six members of ni}- family to the grave. However they may have seemed to others, they were very dear to me ; and, as blow succeeded blow, and limb after limb was severed from me, my heart was filled with bitterness. Yet in all these afflictions I have found that ' God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.' " Mr. Whittemore pronounces the meetings " spirited, pleasant, and profit- able." Another conference was held in Milford, Mass., on the 10th of March. It was a meeting of unusual interest, because of the vital character of the topics discussed, the number and variet}- of the speakers, and the deep feeling which pervaded the services. The morning exercises were opened by a very able and searching discourse on " Growth in Grace," by Rev. M. Goodrich of Pawtucket, R.I. ; which the pastor of the Milford Church, Rev. J. R. Johnson, pronounced " an ad- mirable production, sound in doctrine and forcible in spirit." Other speakers followed, Mr. Whittemore among them. In the midst of his first address, he discovered in the audience Father E. T. Taylor, of Boston, the Seaman's Preacher, sit- ting in one of the pews in the broad aisle. He exclaimed: " I am truly happy to see Father Taylor. I congratulate the audience on the fact of his presence. You will have spiritual refreshment before you leave this meeting, I am quite sure." THOMAS WUITTE1IORE. 301 This was during the afternoon service. Father Taylor was present in the morning, and had spoken then, to great accept- ance. But as Mr. "\Vhittemore was not then present, he plead for an opportunity of listening himself to the veteran preacher. ' He was impatient to hear him. Father Taj'lor, it is true, is a Methodist ; but we love him almost as weh 1 as if he were a member of our own body. Father Ta}'lor arose in his pew and said, ' I had my opportunity in the forenoon, brother. It will not be proper for me to consume an}' more of your time.' But to this Mr. Whittemore replied from his place, ' Yes, I heard that you gave the people large draughts of the water of life this morning, Father Taylor, but I was not here, and did not get one drop of it.' "Father Taylor came into the broad aisle. He is now verging towards seventy years ; his head is gray ; but his e}-e is full of fire ; his voice is strong ; his soul has great energy ; and yet he is at times exceedingly tender and affectionate. He said that he felt like a little child. [He had not spoken but a few moments before the audience were in tears.] I find that I know but little about 3-011 and your church, niy brethren. I am almost ashamed of myself that I did not know you better. Such a meeting as this I have seldom attended. It draws 1113- heart towards you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon \OVL ! " He had thought much, he said, as to the best way to gain certain individuals he had known. He had tried many ways to reach them. Prayer, said he, is a good thing, but pra3"er did not always accomplish the object. He was afraid of dr}- pra}-ers. The}- did little good. You were not sure to reach the heart by such prayers. He spoke of the benefit of praise, issuing from a sense of God's love, God's mercy and forgiveness, his reaching out after the sinner to draw him back to heaven, as we reach down after a drowning man. Sometimes, said he, when I cannot get my men (the 302 MEMOIR OF sailors) to pray, I reach them b}* getting them to praise God. God asks man to offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving. It is impossible to mingle in praise without melting the heart. When we get men to praising God, said he, they will begin to serve him. From this train of thought, he turned to relate a few inci- dents in the lives of 3'oung sailors whom he had known. One concerning Edward was inexpressibly tender and affecting. Edward had a pious mother ; she loved him, doated upon him. There was a thrilling incident of his coming home one very dark night, when the mother had promised to put a h'ght in the window, to guide him to the house. The narration was given admirably. No one who was there that afternoon will ever forget the " light in tlu; window." It became a metaphor for religion in the family of Edward's mother. Edward went to sea, and the affectionate mother died during his absence. She left her dying word for her son. She left him by bequest her old Bible and the stand on which it lay. " Tell Edward, when he returns," said she, "that I am gone home, and he will remain in this dark world." [The style of the preacher was so touching here that tears flowed freely in all parts of the house.] " Tell him to follow after me ; to come where I am gone, and beseech him not to forget the light in the window. And when he passes through the dark valley of the shadow of death," said the dying woman, " he shall see on high the light in the win- dow of the house not made with hands, where I shall be waiting for him." "We cannot," writes Mr. W T hittemore, pursue this description : we can do it no manner of justice. A theme so rich, in Father Taylor's style, is insipid when we undertake to repeat it. He told other incidents in the lives of some of his sailors. At last he closed by lifting his eyes and hands to heaven, and invoking with tremulous voice a THOMAS \VHITTEMORE. 303 blessing on his dear brethren with whom he had enjoyed the pleasure of meeting on that day. It was some time before the attention could be turned from this address to other parts of the service." During this year, there was a wide-spread religious interest in all parts of the country. The various Christian sects shared in it ; the Universalists among them. As an observer and chronicler of passing events, Mr. Whittemore could not fail to have a strong interest in the whole movement. He spoaks freely in reference to it, and expresses an earnest desire that his own church might share in its blessings, and that all the churches might be able to discriminate between the genuine and spurious, the false and the true. We append some of his reflections on the whole subject : " There is said to be a great revival of religion now in progress all over our land. That there is a great excitement is indisputable. There will be some chaff among the wheat, perhaps a good deal, of chaff, but there will be some wheat too. We are in favor of revivals of pure and undefiled re- ligion. We pray for more love of God, more love of truth, more love of Christ, more faithfulness to him in our heart ; more zeal among Universalists ; less coldness, indifference, worldly-mindedness. We would rejoice to see a true revival of religion reaching from one end of our land unto the other. We may speak of the community in three points of view: 1st. As having ti'ue revivals ; 2d. As having false revivals ; and 3d. As having no revivals at all. There are no revivals at all when every thing is dull, indifferent, dead. This is like a treacherous calm at sea. It cannot always last : if it did the waters would stagnate. Such a state of things is more likely to end in a destructive storm, which we describe as a false revival, where every thing is thrown into disorder ; a wild excitement reigns, and perhaps great harm will be done. 304 MEMOIR OF A true revival is when hearts are warmed anew by the love of God ; when the Saviour's love is shed abroad in our hearts ; when saints are quickened into a higher degree of life, and sinners are turned from the evil of their waj^s ; when Chris- tians of different sects love each other more ; when there is less contention, less bitterness in one sect towards another. Some persons think they love God, when they love chiefly their sect ; they hate others ; and this is nearly all the religion they have. But this is not the spirit of Christ's religion. Uni- versalists desire a revival of Christ's religion ; more brotherly kindness, more charity. \Ve pray God to preside over the revival now in Boston, and conduct it to a good end ; purge it of every particle of unholy feeling, and make it glorious in holiness and love. Then there will be more justice, more benevolence, more humanity among us. Universalists will aid in ah 1 good revivals, and discountenance all bad ones. The Lord gave the Uuiversalists of Boston a new dispensa- tion of h'fe last autumn. In that sweet conference meeting in Roxbury, on the 14th of October, we felt that the work had begun with us ; and it has been going on ever since. From that time to this it has not ceased among us. But yet Universalists are far below what they ought to be. "We must go up higher ; we must rise from mountain to mountain until we stand on the highest peak." In concluding a sensible article on the " Philosoplry of Revivals," in which he vindicates the Universalists against the unjust accusation of their being opposed to them, and showing how read}- many of them are to aid in the work of religious awakening and Christian h'fe, he speaks thus faith- fully and pointedly in reference to those professed Universa- lists who take but little or no interest in such manifestations of their faith. His words are worthy of being remembered by ah 1 who read them. THOMAS WH ITT I-:. MO RE. 305 " We have thus given our own mind on revivals of religion. On the whole we approve of them. There is much that is bad in them : there is much that is good. The principal difficulty of which we have to complain is that Universalists do not participate in them as they ought to do. Would to God that every Universalist Church and Society could have a time of refreshing at least once a }*ear. We need it. If we had it, our churches would not remain as stagnant and dead as some of them now are. Why are the}' so backward? Why is church organization so much neglected among us? Why are some of our churches so cold and even dead? They have a name to live only. Some of them never knew what a revival is. They are moral grave}-ards : the dead are buried there. Some of them have not admitted a score of members for years. They never have pra3*er-meetings, nor, in fact, any other kind of church meetings. They go to the communion table once in a while, but seem to act as though the}* would as soon omit it as not. We lament this state of things. We had rather see the wildfire than such coldness. We would that there might be kindled a fire once in a while like that which the old hymn pleads for : ' Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove, With all thy quickening powers ; Come, shed abroad a Saviour's lore, And THAT shall kindle ours ! ' Oh for such a revival among our people ! The love of God can convert sinners, and nothing else can do it so well. We have the love of God in our doctrine : -we long to see the effects. ' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ! ' ' And once more, in a brief article entitled "Too Much Zeal: " " One of the strangest conceits that ever entered a mortal brain is the fear expressed by some of our brethren that the Universalists will become too zealous. It is almost 20 306 MEMOIR OF an impossibility 1 for a Christian Universalist to have strange fire upon his altar. Universalism itself is the safeguard. There is small danger of wildfire with Universalism. We wish our alarmists would look out upon the Universalist de- nomination, and see which we are most in danger from, cold- ness or zeal? Beyond all question it is the former. We sometimes feel when we visit certain Universalist societies as if we were with Dr. Kane in the arctic regions. The ex- pression of the belief that Universalists are in danger from too much zeal will make some of our iceberg saints feel very happy in themselves. Good Lord, quicken us ! " There was a section of Boston called the " Black Sea." It had borne that name for a long time, because it had been a place of infamy. Abandoned men and women, drunkards, gamblers, harlots, thieves, congregated there. They kept shady and quiet by day, but emerged from their dens and went to their dancing-halls by night, and set their nets to catch the unwary. The revival in Boston had reached that localit}*. A prayer-meeting was instituted and held every day in one of the dancing-halls, a large room that would contain one or two hundred persons. Mr. Whittemore was strong!}- induced to visit the place, and take part in the relig- ious exercises and in reclaiming the wandering. We present his account of his first visit there. ' ' Little did we know what we were to enjoy. We expected to be received with coldness, if received at all ; but the im- pulse to go was so strong, we could not, or at least did not, resist. The first day on which we were present, one of the redeemed harlots spoke. She avowed her hope that she had turned once for all from the impurity of her ways. Shr felt that she could not be taken back again into Sodom. She had escaped ; she had been longing to escape ; and now the crisis had come, and she determined with all the resolution THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 307 she had (feeble it might be) to do wrong no more. She was a young woman of talents, of personal beaut} r , and evidently of great decision of character. " We said to ourself, Shall Universalists see such a revival going on in Boston and take no part in it ? It must not be that we hold back." At the first meeting, Mr. Whittemore was a silent specta- tor ; but his soul was deeply moved. A few days after he went again, and took part in the exercises. He spoke of the need and excellency of the true religious life, and his words seemed very welcome to all present. Of the third meeting which he attended, he writes : " Father Taylor was there (the same who was at Milford), and we had another opportunity to grasp his hand. He did not know that we had been in the meeting before. We want to hear your voice, said he : this is a free meeting. Rev. Perez Mason (the City Missionary) presided. He sings, prays, and talks readily. We made an address on the intrin- sic value of religion. Religion consists in love to God, and love to man. and in a good life. ' More needful this than glittering wealth, Or aught the world bestows.' ' ' We turned to those who professed to have been con- verted. We said. ' Have you enlisted under Christ for a day? or have you given yourself to him for a life service ? Shall you ever fall back into sin.' There was much weeping. It called to mind the words : ' AVere not the sinful Mary's tears An offering worthy heaven, 'When o'er the faults of former years, She wept, and was forgiven.' " Whether these converts will fall away or not, we do not positively know ; but if men make no efforts to convert sin- 308 MEMOIR OF ners because they may fall away, we shall never do any thing for sinners. In a private conversation with Father Mason, he said, ' His duty was to lift the fallen on to their feet. He did not know but they would fall again ; but if they did we must lift them up again.' " One layman prayed (we were all kneeling), with great solemnity, that sinners might be saved now ; they needed salvation now ; salvation from sin, from darkness, from un- belief, from evil wa}-s of drunkenness, from cruelty now. He prayed for the inmates of the dark holes of infamy ; for cruel husbands infuriated by rum who abused their wives and children ; he prayed for the tempted, the fallen, the polluted, and abandoned. He prayed in some respects like a man who believed in endless punishment ; but there was much in his pra3*er that was lovely and of good report. We responded at the close, heartily, ' Amen ! ' "A brother rose (a perfect stranger to us) . He said he was from Charlestown. He had brought to the meeting a poor fallen brother, he said, a seaman, a Swede, for whose salvation he felt the most fervent desires ; and he wanted him to be regarded as a special subject of pra}*er that day. The old seaman was deeply moved. His emotion must have begun before he entered the room. Father Mason knelt down with him, and said, 'Let us all pray for this man.' He offered a very fervent petition ; so fervent and striking, that it penetrated to the soul of every one present. The Swede trembled, wept, ejaculated promises of amendment, hoped God would forgive him. We were all kneeling. How could my soul refrain from pra}-ing? It was not I that prayed, but the soul that dwelt within me. I praj-ed for the success of such efforts to save souls from sin. I prayed for the con- tinuance of the revival. ' Amen ! ' ejaculated Father Taylor, * Amen ! ' I prayed that God would show us far greater THOMAS WH1TTEMORE. 309 things than we had yet seen. [' Bless the Lord ! '] I prayed that God would continue the revival until all the haunts of sin should be broken up ; until every sinner should bathe in that fountain which had been opened for sin and uncleanness. [' Glory to God ! '] I prayed that God would open the win- dows of heaven and pour us out a blessing until we should not have room to receive it. [' Amen ! Hallelujah ! ' shouted Father Taylor. ' This is surely the millennium ! '] At the close of the service, we shook hands with many who had entered the new life." 310 MEMOIR OF CHAPTER XV. 1858-1859. AGED 58-59. Anniversary Week Speech Orange, Mass. Visit to Vermont Commencement at Tufts Review of Rev. T. Starr King The Old Testament Visit to Norway, Me. Rockingham Association Fitchburg Vermont Convention at Bethel Connecticut Conven- tion at Granby Universalism conducive to Purest Piety U.S. Convention at Providence Sippican, Mass. Hinsdale, N.H. South Acton, Mass. Conference in Boston In Roxbury Woman Preaching : Mrs. Jenkins Nomination of a Minister for Con.u New Bedford Lawrence, Mass. Methuen Conference at Matta- poisett At Worcester Sabbath in Lowell Rockport Marble- head Lynn Dr. Ballou's Notice of Mr. Whittemore Manches- ter, N.H. Dedication Sermon at Cambridgeport North Bridge- water, Mass. Annisquam Interesting Incident Visit to Milford, Mass. Palmer Southbridge Salem The Main Question The Doctorate. ANNIVERSARY "Week in Boston was one of unusual interest this year. The meetings of the Universalists were well attended, and the conference and prayer meetings were especially impressive. The Festival in Faneuil Hall was again a success. The exercises were of a high order. Lieutenant-Governor E. Trask presided. Addresses wore made by Rev. Messrs. T. B. Thayer, A. D. Mayo, B. M. Tillotson, A. C. Thomas, T. S. King, T. AVhittemore, and Governor X. P. Banks. Mr. "Whittemore's speech wa< as humorous, pathetic, patriotic, and varied as ever. In his allusions to Universalism and the American Revolution, he was quite happy. "Universalism and the Revolution." he THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 3H said. " began to rise together at North End, the glorious old North End of Boston. They were rocked together in the same stormy days, in the cradle of American Liberty. Uni- versalism has been rising like the leading star, like the true church, clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an arm}- with banners. The banner of Uuiversalism is love. Let that banner be lifted up. I see it borne aloft, pure, white, steady ; and I read the inscription thereon, ' Hope for every soul,' for every creed-bound, affrighted, crushed soul, hope ! " So shall it be ere long, we trust, with the banner of our country. It shall symbol yet the true idea of the Declaration of Independence, ' all men are created free and independent.' I look forward to the time when our flag shall wave in unsul- lied glory, not over smoking ruins, not merely at the mast- head of our battle-ships, not merely on bloody fields, not merely from the parapets of our forts. I look to a higher victory. I look to great moral achievements, for I shall see parties overturned and overturned, until the best shall at last arise ; and I shall see that- national banner floating out, not only from the dome of the Capitol, but from the dome of the Temple of Justice, the highest glory of the nation and of the world. The stars and stripes and the white banner shall be seen together, the one floating in the wind, the other upheld by steady hands, over slaves redeemed, sinners converted, cruel statutes abolished, Kansas happy and free, the people united, and the North and the South one. "Before I close," said he, "I must say a few words in regard to the localities of the Revolution in the vicinity of Boston. Our societies are established almost in the very places where the forts, the strong places of defence against tyranny, stood. At the base of Bunker Hill, you have a society, whose pastor, although a Scotchman born, has many 312 MEMOIR OF high regards for his adopted land. Two societies are there in Cambridge, the headquarters of Washington during the siege of Boston. Thus we see the resemblance between the moral and political revolutions of those days. At Roxbury, where there was one of the most important points of de- fence in the old war, you have now a noble society under the charge of our excellent brother, Rev. W. H. Ryder. At Dorchester Heights (South Boston now) , there is a society, under the pastorship of Rev. W. W. Dean, who is seeking b} r his wise labors to aid in driving sin and error out of the city altogether. Would that these evils might be put on board their respective crafts, go out of the harbor, and inner be heard of more. In the city itself, you have a host of good men, like the true patriots of 1775, who gave the adversaries of liberty great disquiet, and were ever active in the good cause. At Somerville, there is also a society, under the pas- torship of Rev. Gr. H. Emerson, devoted to the great idea of universal love, standing almost on Prospect Hill, a point of great interest in olden time. And on another of those emi- nences, the spot where the troops of Burgoym> were quar- tered after they were brought prisoners to Massachusetts, stands now that young but noble institution, Tufts College. Truly we may say, Faneuil Hall and Universalism , the Revolution of the Country and of its Religion simultaneous." He concluded his speech with a strong plea for Tufts Col- lege, and expressed it as his belief that this was the last anniversary he should ever attend in Faneuil Hall. A few weeks afterwards he wrote : " It seems to us that we never shall cease talking about the enjoyments of Anniversary Week. It was the week of weeks. We shall never see another like it on earth." Mr. Whittemore was not present at the Massachusetts Convention, which held its session this year in Quincy. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 313 The Universalist church in Orange, Mass., was dedicated on the 16th of June. Mr. Whittemore was present, and gave the Address to the Society. The last of June, he journeyed to Vermont, and attended the "SViudham Association at West Halifax. He preached on the last afternoon of the meeting to a very large congregation. The journey to him was highly enjoyable. He was at the Commencement exercises at Tufts College, July 14. He presided at the collation, and made a short but very encouraging speech in reference to the present condition and prospects of the institution. Sometime this }*ear, Rev. Dr. Xehemiah Adams, of Boston, had delivered a discourse in advocacy of the doctrine of endless punishment. Rev. T. Starr King, pastor of the Hollis Street (Unitarian) church, invited the Doctor to repeat the dis- course in his pulpit, which he consented to do. Mr. King forthwith replied to it. in two discourses, which were soon afterwards published. In a notice of his reply, Mr. Whitte- more expresses his strong dissent from some of the statements advanced by Mr. King ; especially declarations like these : "I do not find the doctrine of the ultimate salvation of all souls clearly stated in any text, or in any discourse that has been reported from the lips of Christ. I do not think we can fairly maintain that the final restoration of all men is a promi- nent and explicit doctrine of the four Gospels ; but all the principles glow there, vivid as the sunlight, that are required to give us the most consoling trust in God through eternity, and the most cheering hope for man." In reply to these statements, Mr. AVhittemore writes : " AVith the utmost good- will to Mr. King, we feel obliged to declare that we object most decidedh* to these statements of his. They may be his opinions : we are quite sure they are not ours, nor those of Universalists in general. In fact, they 314 MEMOIR OF are not those of all Unitarians ; for there are scores of the latter who hold that the doctrine of the final, universal happiness of men is a plainly revealed doctrine of the Word of God." He notes the eagerness with which the (orthodox) Recorder takes up this admission of Mr. King, and asks him how he can dare hold and advocate a doctrine which he fails to find in the Gospels? Against these statements of the Hollis Street pastor, Mr. Whittemore gives his convictions in reference to the teachings of the New Testament on this great subject, the salvation of all souls. In an article in the Universal i 'st Quarterly for October, 1858, Mr. Whittemore reviews the two discourses of Mr. King. The review is very tender in spirit, because of the kind re- gard of the writer towards the author of the discourses ; but it is at the same time very plain and searching. In answer to the question, "Is Universalism Revealed in the Four Gospels ? " he shows very plainly that the whole drift of the Gospels is in the direction of this idea. The -Samaritans learned from the instructions of Jesus himself that he was " indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world" (John iv. 42). The}' knew nothing about the matter except what they learned from him. He affirmed, moreover, that "-all things," meaning all intellectual beings had been committed to his care, and that he should labor for their welfare, and would suffer no one to draw them out of his hand. " All things are delivered unto me of my Father" (Matt. xi. 27). "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hands " (John iii. 35) . " All that the Father giveth me shall come to me " (John vi. 37) . " And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me " (John xii. 32) . The drawing of all men to him was just as sure as the fact of his being lifted up from the earth on the cross. Other proofs from the Gospels and Epistles are brought forward to show THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 315 how Christ spoke of the extensiveness of his work of salva- tion, and how the Apostles understood his mission with man. His quotations from the Apostles, and his whole review, seem to us decisive. He differed from his younger brother in his estimate of the importance of the textual evidences of Uni- versalisrn, and of making its distinguishing truth prominent in all his teachings ; as also in his preference for the Uni- versalist Church above all others as his " chief joy " and most constant home. But he held in very high regard the rare talents of this loyal soldier of the Cross ; and had he lived to witness his subsequent ministry, would have been, with many others, thankful for the noble work he wrought in the cause of human enlightenment and regeneration. ' k A young preacher " asks Mr. Whittemore the question, "How do you treat the Old Testament in your pulpit com- munications?" Mr. Whittemore replies, in substance : " I believe the Old Testament to be a sacred book, an im- portant part of the Bible. It always pains me to hear any one, especially a minister of the Gospel, speak irreverently of the Old Testament ; and more especially if that preacher be a professed Universalist. Jesus never expressed any disre- spect for the Old Testament, but, on the contrary, he always spoke of it with reverence. We do not deny that the Old Testament was better fitted to the condition of the Jews than to our condition. Jesus never found fault with the Jews for believing too much in Moses ; but he frequently found fault with them for believing too little in him. ' For had }-e be- lieved Moses ye would have believed me ; for he wxote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?' Hence he said to' them, ' Search the Scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life ; and the}- are they which testify of me.' Moses and the prophets prophesied of the coming of Christ : ' We have found him of whom Moses 316 MEMOIR OF in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph' (John i. 45). 'Ami beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke xxiv. 27). Our Lord was in the habit of quoting distinct passages from the Old Testament, passages which announced the most important truths. While I seek to be Christ-like, I cannot fail to cherish a deep respect for the Old Testament. Paul cher- ished a profound respect for it. He writes to Timothy : ' From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.' At Thes- salonica, he reasoned much with the Jews ' out of the Scriptures.' Apollos, we are told, was ' an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures.' He ' mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.' Let our young inquirer regard the Old Testa- ment as it was regarded by Christ and the apostles." He makes a visit to Norway, Me. He preached there on a Sunday, in the Universalist church, to a very large and deeply attentive congregation, most of whom had never heard him before. He enjoyed the day highly. In the evening of this day, he delivered a lecture at Paris Hill, in the Baptist church. The Norway society is the oldest of the order in Maine. Its first meeting was held in 1798. This year the Rockingham Association was held in Kings- ton, N.H. It was verj- fully attended, and the congregations occupied two churches, the Universalist and Methodist. The Methodist clergj'man was very cordial, and was in his pulpit with our ministers during the services. On the after- noon of the last day, Mr. Whittemore preached in the I'ui- versalist church. He writes : " AVe think Christianity gained something in the hearts of the people by the influence of this nirrtmg. It was, taken altogether, one of the greatest meet- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 317 ings ever held by the Association. It seemed as if the times oi' twenty years ago had come back again." While in attendance on the Union Association in Fitchburg, in August, Mr. Whittemore was called, as a railroad officer, to take part in the celebration of the laying of the Atlantic cable. It was an occasion of much excitement in the place. There was a large assembling of people, and addresses were made b}" Colonel Ivers Phillips, A. Crocker, J. J. Piper, and P. E. Aldrich, Esqrs. ; Rev. Mr. Brooks, and Judge Bishop. Mr. Whittemore was called upon, and spoke ven T earnestly and to great acceptance, for fifteen minutes. In closing, he reminded the foreign population that they were now to live within five minutes' communication of father and mother, and brother and sister, at home. They had come to this country to live with us. We must all be friends, and forget all national antipathies, and all religious differences, and live together as brethren. Mr. Whittemore preached during the session of the Asso- ciation in the Universalist church. During the last services, a church was publicly recognized, and the communion service, observed. He regarded the meeting as one long to be re- membered by those who attended it. He journe3'ed to Vermont, through Keene, N.H., where he spent a little time in attention to railroad matters. He then attended the Vermont Convention, in Bethel. Soon after his arrival, he was taken quite ill ; and, failing to recover, re- luctantly resolved to return to his home. It was a great sorrow to him, for he had anticipated a rich season at the meeting. Soon after this, he was able to attend the Connecticut Con- vention, in Granby. The audiences increased so that it was resolved to hold the meeting on the second da}- in a grove near by. An appointment had been made for Mr. Whittemore 318 MEMOIR OF to preach there, but he feared to expose himself to such a trial of his strength just at that time. He preached in the church in the morning, and the meeting was held in the grove in the afternoon. Rev. C. H. Fay, of Middleton, was the preacher there. Mr. Whittemore was present, and deeply enjoyed the occasion. The sermon was able and appropriate, and was followed by the communion service. It was to Mr. Whittemore something entirely new, this service in a grove. " A table had been constructed in front of the rostrum, on which the elements were laid. Mr. Whittemore was invited to preside at the service. All were invited to keep their places. The air was perfectly serene. Appropriate remarks were offered. It was such a spectacle as we never saw before, and probably shall never see again. A communion service beneath the broad, illimitable sky ! But all was subdued and pleasant, and the closing hymn went up to heaven in a chorus of three or four hundred voices." Of the encouragement given by Christian Universalism to the purest piety, he says : "A doctrine so congenial to piety and benevolence as to engage ah 1 good men to pray that it may be true cannot have a bad influence. We allow that it may be misunderstood and perverted, and then the good in- fluence of it will be lost. The grace of God of old was turned into lasciviousness ; but who would argue from it that the natural tendency of divine grace was evil ? A New Eng- land divine, who made himself quite eminent by his opposition to Universalism twenty-five or thirty years ago, allowed that the tendency of that doctrine on a good man was salutary. After stating that the effect of this doctrine on a bad man was unfavorable, he is very particular to add, ' but that the belief in Universalism would have the same effect on those who arc born of God, we have never said ; much less that if we be- lieved it we would by all means live in all manner of sin in THOMAS WHITTEUORE. 319 this life.' The same divine, in a published discourse that came out in 1818, after a most fallacious argument designed to show that the wicked would encourage themselves in sin by this sentiment, sa}-s (and let all observe his words) : ' I speak not the language of the pious soul, who knows the comforts of religion, and rejoices in his liberty as a child of God, being set free from sin and the power of Satan ; but of those who know nothing of that comfort and liberty, and who delight in the drudgery of sin, and hug their chains.' Un- fortunately for his argument, he adds : ' These are the people who mistake in every thing. They call evil good and good evil ; they put darkness for light and light for darkness, bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.' We should expect that Universalism would be misunderstood by such people. How can it be otherwise? If th^- call good evil, how can we expect that they would make a proper use of such a good doctrine as that of which we have spoken? It would of course be the contrary doctrine that they would consider good, on the reverend gentleman's own rule. He acknowl- edges just what we have always asserted, that Universalism is a doctrine congenial to piety." The United States Convention was held this season in Providence, R.I. It was an occasion of great interest. The Occasional Sermon was by Rev. G. S. Weaver, of St. Louis, Mo., and gave great satisfaction. Many other discourses were delivered, and most attractive and impressive conferences held. Services were in both churches. Mr. Whittemore writes of the meeting: "For high spiritual power, it was like the great meeting in Boston on the 29th of May last. The silent pra3'er on the last evening, when the immense assembly bowed before God, not uttering a word ; when not the slightest sound or motion or breath was heard, never was a.ny thing more impressive. When the silent prayer was 320 MEMOIR OF ended at the pronunciation of ' Amen,' by Brother Balch in the desk, a brother began the Lord's Praj'er aloud from the broad aisle, and the more than a thousand people, every one (so far as we could discover), joined in, audibly, word for word, to the end, and at the close responded out of the very depths of their souls, not loudly, but sincerely, such an Amen as only a thousand souls together can utter. We are speak- ing of the meeting we attended ; there was another great meeting at the same hour. We bless God for that last meet- ing in Providence. It was hard to leave it. It seemed as if the people could not go away. It was half-past ten before the last ones left the house." A Sunday in Sippican, Mass., is greatly enjoyed; includ- ing a prayer-meeting of unusual interest in the evening. In October, he attended a conference of the Cheshire Asso- ciation, in Hinsdale, N.H. He preached twice on the occa- sion, and took part in a veiy demonstrative and enjoyable conference at the conclusion of the session. In the same month he passed a Sabbath in South Acton, and preached in a new hall there, which was densely crowded. Scores were standing around the windows. In the afternoon, a ladder was raised to the top of the piazza, and settees were placed on that, and the windows were opened, so that the outsiders might hear. He had not preached in the town for more than twenty years. On the 14th of this month, a spirited conference was held in the First Universalist Church in Boston. .Air. Whittemore was present. Rev. R. A. Ballou delivered an address which invited much discussion, because it involved the doctrine of religious awakening and culture in the future life, for those who knew not the blessings in the present existence. The remarks were all in the fraternal spirit. Mr. Whittemore made a sweet and stirring speech. Father Taylor, the sea- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 321 man's minister, was present. Being invited to speak he said that he had enjoyed man}' things in this meeting. He had been in Universalist conference meetings before. He re- membered that precious meeting at Milford very vividly. But he never went to any meeting with the full intent beforehand to say he approved of ever}- word he should hear ; neither did he expect the people to approve every word he should say. He had been greatly pleased with certain parts of the address : it came from a Christian's heart ; but there were some things new to him. He spoke tenderly and in a loving strain, but objected somewhat to the idea that men had got to mend up their characters when they reached another world. He thought the}' had better do it here, down here in the work- shop, and not up in glory. Be saved now, for now is the time. Every thing was said kindly. The harmony of the meeting was not in the least disturbed. Rev. Mr. Ryder spoke in explanation after Father Taylor closed. Mr. Whit- temore made another address in the evening, and closed the meeting with prayer. He attended a Conference in Roxbury, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 20. He entered with great earnestness into the exercises, speaking twice during the evening. He con- cludes a notice of it with the exclamation, "What a series of happy meetings have we enjoyed during this month of October ! " Woman preaching is coming into favor with him. He says of Mrs. L. A. Jenkins, of Central, New York : ' ' This lad}" has been winning golden opinions in Williamsburg, N.Y. We had the opportunity to hear her speak in Providence, R.I., before more than a thousand persons at the time of the great gathering there. She made a deep impression upon us. We shall throw no obstacle in her way. She is possessed of great talents. Let her follow the dictates of her own con- 21 322 MEMOIR OF science. She will perhaps visit New England in a few weeks with her husband, and some of our societies will have an opportunity to hear them declare the Gospel. We have no doubt that she can be instrumental of much good." Again he remarks : " We believe her efforts are highly favorable to the cause of pure religion, and it is our duty to say so to the world." In noticing the nomination of Rev. John A. Gurley of Cincinnati, Ohio, for Congress spoken of as a minister's " promotion," he objects to the expression. " Call you this promoting ministers? To take a man from the sacred desk and put him into the Congress of the United States ? We have a high respect for John A. Gurley, but shall never think that he has been promoted by going to Congress ! " He preached in New Bedford on Suucla}-, November 28th. The day was stormy, but the church was filled with hearers. A good conference in the evening was highby enjoyed by him. In December, Mrs. Jenkins, the preacher, made her first visit to Massachusetts. Mr. Whittemore and wife accompa- nied her to Lawrence, where she was to preach. The Sab- bath was a stormy and wintry one ; but a large congregation came to greet the preacher. Mr. Whittemore took part with her in the services. He writes of her, as she appeared on the occasion : " There was an utter absence of all attempt at show. She read the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel according to John. It was done distinctly, tenderly, in not a loud voice ; but she was heard with ease at the remotest parts of the house. Everybody was listening. The cadences were well preserved, the interrogations exceedingly well given, and the dialogistic parts were recited almost as if two persons were talking to each other. Her topic for discourse was the Fatherhood of God. Her sermon was written and lav before THOMAS WIIITTEMORE. 323 her. At times she read, and at times she spoke extempo- raneously to all appearance. If we speak of the sermon according to the impression it made upon us, our words will be regard CM 1 as scintillations from a heated imagination. We have no desire to write one eulogistic sentence, any further than an exact statement of the facts will be such. It was one of the most effective, tender, instructive, truthful dis- courses on the paternal character of God that we had ever heard. We did not hear her in the afternoon, as we were obliged to go to Methuen to fulfil our own appoint- ment." While in New England, Mrs. Jenkins preached two Sab- baths in Lawrence, two in Medford. one in Lowell, and one in Manchester, N.H. Her husband also preached in different places. She preached in the evening in several towns not here named. Mr. AVhittemore writes of her visit: "The peculiar fact of a lady-preacher helped to draw large crowds to hear her in many instances, the greatest probably in Lowell and Manchester, who if they came from curiosity, went home in admiration of her talents, and softened and humbled by the power of her discourses. We are glad she has come to New England." He afterwards writes: "All our early impressions were against woman's appearing in public as a speaker. We supposed a woman could not do it, unless she were bold, masculine, and presuming, and that was the very class, we thought, who, for the credit of their families, ought to stay at home. We are now sure that a woman can speak, can preach, can pray, in the pulpit, without throwing oft' her womanly dignity and modesty." A conference was held at Mattapoisett, Mass., in Decem- ber. The ministers and laity from other places were present, and the occasion was one of unalloyed enjoyment to Mr. Whittemore, who. took an. active part in the exercises. 324 MEMOIR OF Another conference was held during this month in Worcester, which Mr. AVhittemore attended. Mrs. Jenkins preached on the occasion. Rev. C. F. Hudson, author of " Debt and Grace," and "Doctrine of a Future Life." took part in the meeting. It was one of rich enjoyment. A Sabbath is passed by him at Lowell in this month. He preached in the First Church, and Mrs. Jenkins in the Sec- ond. Both churches were filled, and the last named was running over. Mr. Whittemore had a brief but very affecting interview with Rev. T. B. Thayer, who was at that time lying very low in consequence of a severe accident of which he had been the subject. The event occasioned great anx- iousness on the part of the many friends of the suffering one, and great was the joy when he came up from his long pros- tration to his place and work in the ministry again. The first Sabbath in January of the new year (1859) was spent by Mr. AVhittemore in Rockport, Mass. The day was exceedingly pleasant, and large audiences greeted the preacher. He writes: " AVe never before saw such a con- course in Rockport. This is to be attributed in part to the labors of the settled pastor (Rev. J. H. Farnsworth) . who for the year past has been steadily bringing the congregation up in its numbers. The society embraces many of the best men and women, and young men and women, in the town. AVe love them for their integrity, temperance, good order, and devotion to the Christian cause." He preached in Marblehead on one Sabbath in this month. He had not preached there since 1841, when Rev. Henry Bacon was pastor of the society. His visit made him very happy. Although the wintry weather was forbidding, his congregations were large. ''Such a sea of faces!" he writes : " Such attention ! It excited us ; we preached more than an hour on the character of God as the standard of THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 325 moral excellence." A Sabbath of much enjoyment was soon after passed with the Second Society in I^ynn. A notice of the " Autobiography" of Mr. Whittemore, by Rev. Dr. H. Ballou, appears about this time in the Universal- ist Quarterly. The description of Mr. Whittemore which it contains is so well drawn, that we give it a place in these pages : " From about the year 1825 to the present, the period usually allotted as the tenn of a generation, no man's name has been more familiar to the Universalist denomination than that of Thomas Whittemore ; after excepting the late Hosea Ballou, no other person is so generally known. Pos- sessing in a most extraordinary degree the facuhVy of reaching the popular mind ; making himself understood by every grade of hearer and reader ; speaking the language of the people, and speaking to them with a directness and familiarity which alwa3's arrest attention and awaken sympathy ; and possess- ing a fund of humor which perpetually gushes out, and for the time, and despite even of prejudice, compels a friendly feeling ; he is, by the consent of friend and foe, the people's man, above any other in our denominational history. Add to this the fact, that for nearly thirty years he has preached as an itinerant about thirty-seven hundred times, and thus been brought into personal intimacy with brethren in numer- ous localities ; and the further fact, that during nearly all of his professional life he has been the industrious editor of a journal which, if not reaching a large number of readers, has circulated over a much larger territory than any other advo- cating the same cause. These things, both personal and cir- cumstantial, account for the notoriety which has made the name and character of Mr. Whittemore more widely and inti- mately known than that of an} r other Universalist minister." The last Sundaj- in January was spent by Mr. Whittemore 326 MEMOIR OF in Manchester, N.H. The day was wintry. He writes of it: "In the afternoon, we addressed the greatest num- ber of people we ever saw in Manchester. One lady was introduced to us who said she was a member of the Method- ist church, but she was a Uuiversalist, she said, in heart and soul. The Methodists loved her, and when she asked a dismission they were unwilling to let her go. They love her still, and she loves them ; but she loves Christ and the Gos- pel above her chief jo3 T . She goes regularly to the Univer- salist church. The sermon in the afternoon was just one hour and thirty minutes in length." Mr. Whittemore preached the sermon at the dedication of the new Universalist church-edifice in Cambridgeport, on Wednesday P.M. December 26, 1859. The pastor and ex- pastors were in the pulpit together. He preached in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Mass., on the 13th of February ; had large audiences and a very agreeable day. On the last Sunday in the month he preached at Annisquam. Winter's trials attended him. His ride of six miles after leaving the comfortable cars at Gloucester, is thus spoken of: " The ride to Gloucester was well enough ; but when we had to take a seat in a coach on wheels, for a ride of six miles in a dark evening, up hill and down, through drifts of snow, the wind howling, the driver suffering, and the poor horses scarcely able to pull the coach, it was a very different matter. We called all our religion and philos- ophy to our aid, but that act did not make our feet warm. It was the longest six miles we ever rode." A safe and pleasant home was reached at last; the next day was greeted with sunshine, and the preacher had a happy interview with large congregations. On the 20th of this month, he preached in Middletown, Ct. On the last Sunday he preached in Danvers, Mass. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 327 In the Trumpet of April 9, he relates an interesting incident which came up in his ministerial experience. He preached on a certain Sabbath in a town in Massachusetts, on the Parable of the Sower. His aim was to describe the effects of the sowing of the truth in the minds of different persons. Tf the seed of love be sown in the receptive heart, it will pro- duce the happiest effects, and bring forth the largest fruits ; some sixty, some thirty, and some a hundred fold." ' ' In the course of the argument, which I extended to some length, I happened to cast my eyes at the singers, among whom I saw a person of forty years, perhaps, in plain but cleanly apparel. He was giving earnest attention to the preaching, so far as he could under the emotion he mani- fested ; and I observed, in the moment my eye was fixed on him, that he shed tears profusely. His countenance indicated a feeling of mingled grief and joy. The circumstance passed from my mind, until, at the house where I dined, a person came in whom I recognized as the same individual. He ex- tended his hand, and while I was exchanging salutations with him, he burst out in audible grief, and left the room. He shortly came in again somewhat composed, and dined with the family, speaking but few words, and those betraying his emotion. I did not see him after he left the table, at that time, though I saw him often afterward. " When he had retired, I inquired of the lady of the house the cause of his grief. ' Formerly,' said she, ' this individual was a man of very irregular habits. He was a tippler, an idler ; careless of his family, and still more careless of himself. Even* one gave him up as lost for this world, and regretted that a person of such good natural sense should become so abandoned. At last,' she continued, ' he commenced to at- tend the Universalist meetings, and to read the books and papers of that denomination. His neighbors generally 328 MEMOIR OF Methodists drew from this fact an argument to prove that Universalism was agreeable to the depraved heart. But there soon commenced a very great change in his character. His rashness and irascibility passed away, and his disposition seemed to be softened and moulded anew. He became patient and meek and kind. He left his cups entirely (and this,' she said, ' was more than two years previous) , and be- came a sober and industrious citizen. It seems almost im- possible,' she added, ' for him to forgive himself for having sinned so long against infinite, unmerited, and unchanging goodness. When he first came among us, we hesitated to receive him, and believed he could not be a Universalist ; but his conduct soon made us all proud of him, and he is now universally respected. Whenever any preacher comes here who speaks particularly of God's love to us, even when w'e are sinners, and the duty this imposes on us to love one another, he cannot restrain his feelings ; and this,' said she, ' I apprehend was the cause of his emotion to-day, which ex- cited your attention.' Here was an instance of the natural influence of the love of God as revealed in the Gospel. When it is said that Universalism is licentious, I always think of the case now described." He visits Milford, Mass., in April. "We called," he writes, " at the house of Mr. Newell Nelson, the Town Clerk in 1821, when we lived in Milford ; who, on one Sabbath-day, posted conspicuously upon the front-door of the church in which we preached the following notice : ' Marriage is intended between Rev. Thomas Whittemore and Miss Lovice Corbett, both of Milford.' Brief as this notice was, it led to very im- portant results. Mr. Nelson is now about seventy-five years of age. Leaving him, we rode to Hopedale, and called on Rev. Adin Ballou, and spent a half-hour with him very pleas- antly, talking principally about old times. His amiable wife THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 329 was the daughter of one of our steadfast friends (Perly Hunt, Esq.), who joined in marriage the parties named in the pre- ceding publishment. From Rev. Mr. Ballou's house, we went to Mr. Elliot Alden's, where all our party joined company again. Thence we all went to the venerable mansion of Mrs. Corbett. Mrs. "NVhittemore's mother. The old lady will enter her ninety-third year on the 4th of May. She is in excellent health, good spirits, memory and hearing very good for a per- son of her age. She believes every thing will take place just as the Lord decrees. She will live all the days of her ap- pointed time until her change come. Her life has been far above the medium purity of mortals." He preached in Palmer. Mass., on Sunda}', April 10. The place of meeting was a hall in a public-house. It was filled to inconvenience. Hearers were there from many neighbor- ing towns. He writes: "A large number of very sincere inquirers after truth were present. Several ladies tarried after the benediction to assure us of the deep interest they took in the cause ; and to promise that each one in her town would do all she could to spread the knowledge of the great and glorious doctrine they had heard that day." The next da}', Mr. AVhittemore went to Southbridge, preached in the evening, and enjoyed a conference afterward. 44 After service," he writes, " we had a few words with every person who remained in the house ; words of advice, recollec- tions of old times, and of the fathers and mothers who had passed away." A Sunday of great interest is spent in Salem. Mass. From eleven to fourteen hundred persons were supposed to be pres- ent in the Universalist church. Quite a number were from the Unitarian congregations in the place. In a brief article entitled, " The Main Question," he writes : " ' AVhat is the main question with you Universalists ? ' said a 830 MEMOIR OF Partialist to me a few days since. ' Is this it, -whether ma- terialism or immaterialism be true? ' ' No.' ' Whether there is an intermediate state ?' ' No.' ' Whether men will be pun- ished after death?' ' No.' ' What is the main question with you, then ? ' ' This is it,' I replied, ' whether all men will eventu- ally be saved ? ' ' But,' said he, ' that is the ground of the Restora- tionists.' ' We are all Restorationists,' I answered ; ' we admit of no distinction. All Restorationists are Universalists, and all Uuiversalists are Restorationists. There is no room for dis- tinction.' ' But,' pressing his question still further, ' is the Trumpet,' said he, ' a Restorationist paper ? ' ' Yes,' said I, ' in the proper sense of that term. We do not hold to making division among Universalists. In that sense we are not Restorationists ; but, in regard to the eventual salvation of all mankind, we are so. We prefer, however, the name Uni- versalists. It is the name Relley bore, and Murray, and Winchester, Adam and Zebuloii Streeter, and the General Convention from 1785 to the present time. The name was good enough in former times, and it is good enough now. We are UNIVERSALISTS, believers in the universal love of God, and the universal salvation of men. We pray that we may defend this doctrine by a good life as well as by good arguments.' " In a friendly letter received from his venerable brother in the ministry, Rev. Russell Streeter, of Vermont, Mr. Whitte- more humorously refers to the title of " D.D.," with which he had not long before been honored : l " I thank you, dear brother, for the kind wishes 3'ou express in my behalf. I will always excuse you for not calling me Doctor. I have no conscientious scruples about the matter. I never used any effort to gain this distinction. The next da}- after it was conferred, I hap- pened to fall in with a number of friends conversing together 1 By Tufts College. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 331 upon the sidewalk in State Street. They all saluted me as ' Doctor.' ' Ah, Doctor, I wish you much joy.' ' Doctor, I congratulate you.' ' Doctor, permit me to take your hand,' &c. I replied by saying, ' Gentlemen, do forbear, dor for- bear ; for you know we have to take these things by degrees' " 332 MEMOIR OF CHAPTER XVI. 1859-1860. AGED 59-60. Anniversary Week Festival in Music Hall Father Taylor's Speech Mass. Convention in Milford West Boylston Palmer Norwich Biddeford Thoughts on his Ministry The New Massachusetts Convention Martha's Vineyard Dedication at South Reading Westford Stoughton Weymouth Doctrinal Sermons Ware- ham Norfolk Co. Association Rockport U.S. Convention in Rochester, N.Y. New York Independent on Universalism : Call for Discussion Rev. Adin Ballou : Reciprocal Words Visit to Box- boro', Mass. Abington Marlboro' What begets Love to God Visits Maine Westmoreland, N.H. Hinsdale Several Sundays Roxbury Claremont, N.H. Sabbaths at Home Lowell : Illness in the Pulpit A Question Considered Adherence to his Faith Rev. C. F. Hudson Anniversary Week Advice of Family and Friends Versus Tobacco Forefathers' Rock Newport, N. H. Isles of Shoals Vermont Convention in Cavendish Agrippa's "Almost" U.S. Convention in Boston Three Ways to Live. ANNIVERSARY Week this year brought attractions of more than usual interest to the Universalists, as well as to others. There was much activity in most of the meetings. Sabbath- school and other conferences began with the week. Home Missionary and Reform Meetings were held, Mr. TVhittemore taking part in most of them. The Festival in Music Hall was very full}' attended. Latimer W. Ballou of "Woonsocket. R.I. , presided, and made an admirable opening address. Rev. S. Cobb followed in a sensible and pointed speech, responsive to the sentiment " Universalism and the Universalist denomi- nation, an embodied spirit and a spiritualized body." Rev. Messrs. Patterson, Adams, A. Moore, and E. H. Chapin, THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 333 followed ; and the meeting had a new inspiration in the pres- ence of Father Taylor of the Seamen's Church. He was called upon for a speech, and responded to a welcoming audience. His words were characteristic. " He was .ex- ceedingly pleased to be here, and pleased with the cause by which he got here. It was by Dr. Whittemore, the lungs and breath of the great Trumpet. And if it depended on Brother AVhittemore to keep the blast and music going on earth, he hoped he would be kept a good while out of heaven yet. He had made up his mind to go to heaven with the brother. (Applause ; Messrs. Ta3'lor and Whittemore shaking hands amid much laughter.) If the reason was honestly asked, he would honestly say, because he saw no way to help it. Brother Whittemore had stuck close to him twenty years, and could not be shaken off. Therefore he had made up his mind to it, and was much pleased with the idea. He was pleased, too, with all he saw before him, and right down pleased with himself. He spoke of the care which Providence had taken of him through his long life. He had wandered far, preached among men of all nations, and did not know that he had ever been designedly injured. The Lord had cared for him alwaj's, and he was thankful." He concluded by saying : "It was by their fruit that we should know men. He himself was waiting for the fruit of his labors. He had not been in the habit of judging others. He might get a skiving for being so happy in this company to- day, but he cared little for that ! He believed that the chil- dren of God everywhere knew their Father, and so he was glad to be here. He saw another brother yonder with whom he expected to go to heaven ; and, to make short metre, he believed that we might all go to heaven together. A hope of heaven, a glorious Father, and a blessed Redeemer, was for all of us." 334 MEMOIR OF The Massachusetts Convention held its session this year in Milford. A charter obtained from the State Legislature pro- viding for the Sabbath School Association, Massachusetts Convention of Universalists, and Universalist Home Mis- sionary Society into one corporate bod}-, to be called the " Massachusetts Universalist Convention," was presented and adopted. Mr. Whittemore was present and took part in most of the meetings, especially those of conference and prayer. On Sunday, May 29, he preached for the first time in West Boylston, Mass. He writes of the meeting: "At the ring- ing of the second bell, the people began to gather from Wor- cester, Old Boylston, Northboro', Berlin, Sterling, Holden, Rutland, and Oakham. The church was filled, and we must give the people the credit of listening very earnestly. The larger congregation came in the afternoon. We preached on ' the fountain of living waters.' A stranger came up as we reached the threshold at the close of sen-ice : ' Sir,' said he, extending his hand, ' I thank you. I live in Holden. I attend the Baptist church. It seems to me that I never really heard the Gospel before. M} r soul is full ; I am satisfied ; I have drank of the living water.' We went back to Worcester a very happy man, believing that we had done much good that day. In the evening, we took part in the conference meeting in Worcester." In June of this year, he visited Palmer, Mass., Norwich, Ct., and Biddeford, Me., as a preacher. In Palmer there was a large gathering. In Norwich, the Quinebaug Associa- tion held its session. Mr. Whittemore preached a sermon on the occasion of the admission of new members to the church in Norwich. The meetings here were all deeply interesting. At Biddeford, there were large assemblies ; persons being present from nine or ten of the surrounding towns. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 335 The words of the apostle to Timoth}' strike him with force. " But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now read}- to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight ; I have finished my course ; I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. iv. 5-7) . " We have thought much of these words, and have aimed to catch their spirit. Paul believed that he was near the end of his life. He was like a man arrived nearly at the end of his journey. He looked backward and forward. He could say, ' I am now ready to be offered.' How few can say that ! We have been thinking of this matter. Are we ready? That is the main point. Dr. Watts has well described the experience of Christians. God does not permit us to know when we shall die. We must therefore be always ready. O thou Holy One that inhabitest eternity, grant us thy presence in that solemn and mysterious hour, and all will be well. Come, Lord Jesus, to our help. Leave us not alone ; support and succor us when nature fails. ' Oh ! if my Lord would come and meet, My soul would stretch her wings in haste ; Fly fearless through death's iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she passed.' "But let not the thoughts of death drive wholly away the thoughts of life. We must know how to live, as well as how to die. We must ' watch in all things ; ' we must ' endure afflictions ; ' we must ' do the work of an evangelist ; ' we must ' make full proof of our ministry.' Then shall we be able to say, ' I have fought a good fight.' Ever}' Christian soldier has to fight ; but it must be a good fight, a proper warfare. He must have on ' the whole armor of God.' He must take those weapons which ' are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, and every 336 MEUOIR OF high thing that exnlteth itself against the knowledge of God.' So much for the good fight. He must keep the faith. We sometimes flatter ourself that if the Lord hath made us stead- fast in any thing it is in ' keeping the faith.' There is one faith above all others that is worthy to be called ' THE faith.' I have nourished it ; I have loved it ; I have defended it. And it has nourished and blest me. Let me not be presum- ing. Ma}' I add the rest of Paul's words, ' Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness ' ? I have taken great comfort in the work. So much have I expe- rienced, and I cannot lose it. The laborer is entitled to his reward. My work is with the Master. If men despise me, I will think of him. Let me aim only to be useful, to be stead- fast. So much of my life having been already given to the cause of Christ, and a fragment only remaining, let me not spoil that. Let me go through triumphantly ! " Such is " The End in View " upon which he meditates. He is not pleased with the newly formed Massachusetts Convention. He is not satisfied with having it made a cor- poration, a "close corporation" as he terms it. He is suspicious that all the action respecting it has been unconsti- tutional. " We do not believe," he writes, " that this change in the form of the Convention has been brought about fairly, even if it has been brought about at all. It is a forced state of things. The proposed change was pushed through indis- creetly. No proper pains were taken to give previous notice of what was about to be done. There was not a proper brotherly feeling and open-heartedness concerning the matter. There was, we suppose, a good deal of secret caucusing among those who were determined to push it through at any rate. This will be pardoned among politicians ; but among brethren who have hitherto professed to love each other, it- was hardly to be expected." This was a free and honest THOMAS WH1TTEMORE. 337 expression of opinion on his part. He had, however, as fair an opportunity to give the whole subject a thorough discus- sion as any other member of the old or new Convention. But he seemed inclined to withdraw himself from any active par- ticipation in the discussion, when he saw that quite a majority of his brethren were disposed to favor the new movement. In July he visited Martha's Vineyard. He preached there on the 17th. He writes of the visit: "We ran out of the harbor of Xew Bedford into Buzzard's Ba}', thence directly across th'e Bay to Wood's Hole in Falmouth, and thence to Holmes' Hole on Martha's Vineyard. We spent Saturday evening in visiting an aged father of our faith, Samuel Uag- gett. He is in his ninety-sixth year. His reason is clear and good, his voice is strong, and his faith is very firm. He has lived just such a life as Micah describes (ch. vi. v. 8) . He said that, although so old, he should come to hear us preach on the following day, if he had his usual health, and we saw him in the church. Our sen-ices on Sunda}' were holden in the Orthodox church, which was kindly opened for our convenience. We preached on important Gospel themes, and the people listened with great attention. The}' were animated by the presence of a large number of worshippers. The Lord be praised for the spiritual enjoyments of this day." On Thursday, July 28th, the Universalist church in South Reading was dedicated with appropriate sen-ices. Mr. Whitte- more offered the dedicator}' prayer. On the following Sunday, he preached in Westford, Mass. He writes : "In the Unita- rian congregation here are quite a number of persons who believe in Universalism ; and they requested the use of the meeting-house for several Sabbaths, which was granted. Two or three of our preachers had been there this season, before our own visit. The Unitarian pastor was present, 22 338 MEMOIR OF and also an aged gentleman (once a preacher) , Mr. Abbott. He sat in the pulpit through the day. The great bulk of the Unitarian congregation were present ; and none, we believe, stayed away through prejudice. We felt it our duty in the afternoon to give a distinct sermon on some of our leading views. Excepting our bodily weakness, we enjoyed the day greatly." A Sabbath is spent at Stoughton, Mass. " We felt," he writes, " a deep sensation in entering the pulpit. It was the very spot on which we were ordained as a minister at large, in the month of June, 1821. Thirty-eight years have since rolled away ; and yet we live to preach the Gospel. The thought filled the soul with deep solemnity and gratitude. At the close of the afternoon sermon, we referred to old times ; spoke of the departed fathers of the society ; made reference to the long, faithful, useful pastorship of Rev. M. B. Ballou (who was present all the day) : and besought the sympathy of the people for Brother Dennis, their pastor, who is unable for a time to perform the public duties of his minis- try. He is a talented, useful, spiritually-minded pastor. The young men here take an interest in the society. W- are looking to one of them as a young man who is yet to adorn the sacred desk. We shall not cease to pray that his heart may be inclined to the ministry. He has preached two or three times to great acceptance." A Sabbath in August is passed in Weymouth, Mass. There was a large attendance. In the afternoon, Mr. Whitte- more writes: " They listened with great attention to a ser- mon of more than an hour's length. Towards the close, the speaker faltered, being suddenly seized with sickness and pain. Brother Hawes, from North Weymouth, who was in the pulpit, at once rose, and conducted the service to the end. Gratitude compels us to say that, as soon as we reached our THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 339 lodgings (at Brother A. B. Wales's), every aid was rendered that good judgment and attention could bestow. We did not suffer for any considerable length of time ; and now (Monday morning) are in good preaching order." The ' ' Importance of Doctrinal Sermons " comes up for consideration. He is very clear and decided on this point. He writes : " The cause of Universalism has been injured by telling the people that doctrinal sermons are of little or no importance. What are doctrinal sermons but sermons in exposition and defence of THE TRUTH? And is not truth important? Christianity is the highest style of truth;- and shall not that be taught to the people? We conjure you, readers, whoever you are, to say no more against doctrinal sermons. Do you say, ' We want the precepts of the Gospel, the morality of the Gospel' ? But how can you have the precepts, the morality of the Gospel, unless you have the Gospel itself preached ? And how can you have the Gospel preached if you have no doctrinal sermons? " There are two things you may rely upon, viz. : First, if the doctrines of the Gospel are not preached, the people will not understand them ; and, if they do not understand them, your congregations will not be rooted and grounded in the faith. How can you have the unit}' of the faith, if the doc- trines to be believed are not preached? If you do not have a unity of faith, you cannot have the knowledge of the Son of God ; you will not become perfect men ; you will not come unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, but will be ' carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby the}' lie in wait to deceive.' If a congregation be not rooted and grounded in the faith, they cannot stand. A breath of eloquence has drawn them together, and a breath of eloquence will dis- perse them. Second, if the doctrines of the Gospel are not 340 MEMOIR OF preached, the souls of the people will not be fed. Man's animal wants are not his only wants, nor his highest. He has a moral, spiritual nature. This is no farce. Every man knows it to be true. ' Man,' said the great Teacher, ' cannot live by bread alone ;' i.e., by mere food for the bod}*. His spiritual nature must be fed ' b}* every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' The soul cannot be fed without the Gospel : the Gospel is the best of all food, emphatically called ' the bread of life.' Those who have it once want it again. ' Lord,' said the disciples, ' evermore give us this bread.' The great truths of the Gospel, then, must be preached, or the societies will die. Chapin, our great moral preacher so called, is also a great doctrinal teacher. How have we had our souls fed by his sermons on the Christian doctrines ; on the resurrection ; on the providence and faith- fulness of God ; on the goodness of God as his chief glory ; on the salvation of all men as the crowning work of the divine mercy. Those who think that Chapin preaches not Christian doctrine make a great mistake." He was in Wareham, Mass., a Sunday in September. Here he preached long discourses to the congregations, for which he apologizes ; but it does not appear that the hearers were dissatisfied on this account. He writes: "We are determined to persevere in the attempt to shorten our ser- mons, until we get them down to a reasonable length. Speaking in public is a hard habit to alter." During this same month the Norfolk County Association met at Canton, Mass. Mr. Whittemore was present, and preached a ser- mon on the recognition of a church in Canton. The rite of l>:iptism was administered to about twenty persons by the pastor, Rev. II. Jewell. He visits Rockport, also. His stage ride from Gloucester was one of anxiety to him. "A strong north-east storm was raging. It grew worse and THOMAS WLIITTEMORE. 341 worse, and the prospect was dubious. Darkness had set in, the wind howled, and seemed as if it would blow passengers and driver from the top of the coach. We had a seat inside, where there were nine other full-grown men and women beside ourself (ice are small) ; but we believe there were ten or a dozen on the top of the coach. Without accident we arrived at Rockport. A good friend was in waiting to re- ceive us. An ardent welcome on such a night is doubly a welcome. The waves were rushing upon the rocks in fright- ful force ; the roaring of the storm was heard from all direc- tions ; and, after we were in bed, we felt the house flinch from the wind, and tremble as though it were afraid. The trees were frightened, also, and threw their great arms about in desperation. On Sunday morning, the disturbance of nature began to lull. The back-bone of the storm was broken. A gleam of hope sprung up that, possibly, we might be able to hold a meeting. By noon the sun broke through the clouds. Omitting the forenoon service, we preached in the afternoon and evening. We went into the town in deep gloom, and came out in gratitude and hope." The session of the United States Convention was held this year in Rochester, N.Y. Mr. Whitternore had a lively ex- perience in getting there, and a mingling of displeasure and happiness during the meeting. He gives a vivid description of the noisy scene at the Rochester Depot on their arrival. The first Sabbath-school meeting gave him little or no satis- faction, because " its main business seemed to be to make officers. The debates were not at all interesting, and seemed to have veiy little to do with the subject of religion. Religion was what the people went to Rochester after." Mr. Whitte- more preached during the session. He enjoyed in a high degree the conference meeting on Wednesday evening ; and, in speaking of his interest in the faithful women who gave in 342 MEMOIR OF their testimony on the occasion, he seems to have found an increased interest in this exercise of the gifts of the sister- hood. His written words are quite an improvement on cer- tain expressions made by him years before on the Women's Convention in Worcester. Of the conference he says: "To say that it was a spirited meeting is but a poor description of it. To us, who had met but few of these Universalists ever before, it was a very precious opportunity to hear them speak, and commune with them on the subject of the great salvation. Among others, Mrs. Cobb and Mrs. Jenkins spoke with much power. There was a great desire to hear Mrs. Jenkins, not only on the part of those who had heard her in other places, but those who had not. She, however, made no long speech. She spoke clearly, tremulously, experimen- tally, and eloquently. She never puts herself forward." He asks why other sisters present, capable of addressing the meeting, did not make their voices heard. "The}' might have added much to the interest of the meeting. Why did they not offer prayer ? or speak a few words to their backward sisters on the subject of religion ? With the exceptions and omissions here named, this conference was a very good one. A lady who said she was from Vermont made a very accept- able address. Several speakers were strangers to us. One avowed himself a member of one of the Presbj'terian churches in Rochester." The New York Independent (an orthodox journal) takes oc- casion to speak of the prevalence of Universalism in orthodox churches, among the orthodox clergy, and the literati of our country ; and very wisely concludes that this fact is not to be disregarded " by those who believe that the doctrine of eter- nal retribution is taught in the Scriptures, and has a vital place in the moral government of God. No subject can be more important for pulpit instruction than this. We are glad THOMAS WH1TTEMORE. 343 to learn that some pastors in this city and elsewhere are taking up the doctrine of retribution with earnestness and thorough discussion. We need to hear again the voice and argument of an Edwards, a Bellamy, a Taylor, upon the law and government of God." To which Mr. Whittemore re- plies : "Thank God that Universalism is to be discussed. Send us no bo^'s. Give us your strong men, men who have high characters for intelligence and learning. Come forward ! you will find the Universalists all ready for the conflict." A notice of Mr. Whittemore's Trumpet appears in the Practical Christian, a Restorationist paper edited by Rev. Adin Ballou. In former years, the two editors had been hos- tile to each other on account of the differences between the Restorationist party under the lead of Rev. Paul Dean and others, and the larger body of those who would be known as Universalists. Alluding to their former antagonisms, Mr. Ballou says: "Since then we have scarcely alluded to our old opponents as such. Meantime the seceding Restoration- ist Association was dissolved by- a concurrence of adverse circumstances, and we have since worked in the world as an independent Practical Christian. Thus our opponent and his coadjutors triumphed ecclesiastically over our Restora- tionist secessional movement ; but theologically and morally we believe the victory was on our side, and that ultra-Uni- versalism has lost ground ever since. Be this as it may, Dr. Whittemore adheres tenaciously and faithfully to the doc- trines of his 3'outh, and we dissent from him as radically and inflexibly as ever. We also differ widely from him on some points of Christian, civil, and social ethics. Yet there is not a particle of enmity, bitterness, or unkindness between us. He has called on us in the most friendly manner ; and, wherever we chance to meet, we . greet each other with mu- 344 MEMOIR OF tual salutations of peace and good-will. Time and labor, sickness and the afflictions of life, are marking us both for our great change, and the time cannot be distant when we must test the realities of the spiritual world by actual experi- ence. Our respective errors will perish. Our respective truths, with all that has been right and good in us, will be immortal. ' So mote it be.' May we both forgive and bless, as we hope to be forgiven and blest. And may the last years of both of us on earth be our best." Mr. Whittemore manfully and cheerfully reciprocates these good, plain, but fraternal, words. He first has a few spicy remarks on Mr. Ballou's use of the term, " ultra-Universal- ism." "There is," he says, " no such thing. Universalism in itself, as taught by Winchester, and the other fathers, was ultra. Salvation could not be extended beyond it, and hence there is no need of such a distinction as ultra Universalism. The great fact which makes me a Universalist is my belief in the eventual resurrection and happiness of all men. Nothing else can make me a Universalist. I may have views on minor subjects, in which I differ from some Universalists ; but those views are not what make me a Uuiversalist. Whether others are quietly sliding down into a kind of indefi- nite Restorationism, they can tell better than we ; but we are not sliding at all. ' I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide' (Ps. xxvi. 1). I have always held myself ready to renounce ever}- error ; and even if I had defended it for a long time and with great energy, and had become con- vinced it was not true, I would renounce it at once as publicly as I had defended it. If any man wishes me to believe in future punishment, let him give me a thus saith the Lord.' I reciprocate cheerfully the kind things Brother Adin has said. If I ever felt unkindly to him, all that feeling is gone for ever. I remember the old liestoratioiiist controversy, aud the part THOMAS WIUTTEMORE. 845 I took in it. Probably I was not always prudent. I was easily excited : perhaps I said some things rashly ; but I had no long lasting hatred. Mj- great object was to do all I could to save the denomination as a unit. ' If a few will go off, then let them go ; but let us keep the denomination united,' I said. The same wish, I know, thrilled in the good heart of Father Ballon, and Dr. Ballou, with whom I wns associated more than with any other men. It was no more than we ought to have felt or done. In closing, I reassure Brother Ballou that I reciprocate all his friendship. We have both lived beyond the heat of j-outh. Our heads are gray. May the Lord preserve him. We shall meet in heaven, where no jarring interest shall be known, but where all shall arrive at the perfection of their being." "A glorious meeting" in Boxboro', Mass., on the last Sabbath in October, is recorded. Hearers were present from seven or eight neighboring towns, " fifty singers made ex- cellent music," and the preacher seems to have been in his happiest mood. He visits Abington also. There was a large attendance, although the day was rainy. " One old gentle- man," he writes, " who came over with his daughter and grandchildren from Bridgewater, and who, in his early daj's, used to listen to John Murray, could not sustain his emotion^ It is the Gospel which takes such hold of the people's hearts." In December, he preached one Sabbath at Marlboro', Mass. " The meeting-house here," he writes, " is not large, and the audience filled even- pew, and all the aisles, the galler}-, and every place where a person could stand or sit. We preached the truth, we are sure, for we declared' the Word of God. We have not for a long time enjoyed a Sabbath more richly than this." To the question, "What will beget a Love of God?" he thus gives answer about this time : 346 MEMOIR OF "Christian, we have one question for you to answer. "Would not all your high hopes be realized, would not your most fervent prayer be answered, if all men were brought to love God with the whole soul? Yes, oh yes! you answer. Stand then at this point, as one from which you will never swerve. But how will you bring men to love God? We know that the beloved apostle said, ' We love him because he first loved us ; ' thereby showing that a knowledge of God's love to man is the cause of man's love to God. But we will say nothing about that now. Do you think that the preach- ing of the doctrine of endless miser}' ever made one soul love God? It is impossible. No man can say, I love God be- cause he will make me endlessly miserable ; or, because he will make my wife, or my children, mj- parents, or brothers, or sisters, or any of my fellow-creatures, endlessly miserable. It is impossible, utterly so, that men should love God for such a reason. Suppose we put this doctrine where Jesus certainly did not put it, we mean into connection with the com- mandments, would it give the commandments increased force? Let us try. ' Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,' for God will torment /ns creatures unmercifully for ever. AVould men be any more likely to love God or to love their neighbor for such a reason ? We may answer with the utmost cer- tainty, No. Jesus gave men reasons why they should love God. ' GOD LOVED THE WORLD,' and gave his Son to die for it, all poor and sinful as it was. ' God is rich in mercy' [not in wrath], and loved us with a ' GKEAT LOVE,' even when we were dead in trespasses and sins. Blessed be his name. This is the doctrine that will make men love God." In December, he visits Auburn and Portland, Me. It was Christmas Sabbath when he preached in Auburn. The day was clear but intensely cold, the thermometer at 23 below THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 347 zero. "We had a large number," he writes, "even for a calm and fine day. The house was admirably trimmed in honor of Christinas ; and a well-trained choir was in the orchestra." In the evening, the house was densely crowded. The next day, he went to Portland, and preached in the Uni- versalist church there in the evening ; thence home. On the evening of the last day of January, 1860, Mr. Whittemore visited Westmoreland, N.H., and attended a festival there, given by the Universalists in the place, under the pastoral charge of Rev. S. II. McCollester. He made an address on the occasion, of much interest to the assembly. Another festival calls him at Hinsdale, N.H. It was opened by exercises in singing and speaking by the Sabbath- school children. " The little orators," he writes, " were fre- quently applauded." These services were of an unusually high character in a moral point of view. Rev. Mr. Matterson (Methodist) and Mr. Whittemore followed with addresses. Then came the table entertainment, at which a gustatory scene is opened, as Mr. Whittemore gives it. "It would have done any spectator good to have seen Rev. Mr. Matter- son and Brother Whittemore with their huge bowls full of oysters, sitting side by side upon the elevated platform, smil- ing, talking, swallowing, and once in a while uttering a pleas- ant story. They both wished very much that Father Taylor, of Boston, had been there." " Several Sundaj-s," and his doings in them, are noted in the Trumpet of Feb. 18. On Jan. 8, he was in Providence, R.I., at the Second Universalist Church. On the loth, he was in Milford, Mass. ; on the next Sabbath, in East Cam- bridge, in absence of the pastor of the church, Rev. II. W. Rugg, who was in ill health ; on the 29th, in Haverhill, Mass. ; and on the 5th of February, at East Boston. Of the second Sabbath in February, he writes : "It was 348 MEMOIR or our happy lot to spend this day in Roxbur}-, Mass., with tho church just left without a pastor in consequence of the re- moval of Rev. W. H. Ryder from them to Chicago. It was a satisfaction to us to stand once more in the town where we commenced our ministry in the 3~ear 1820." He is much pleased with his first Sabbath spent in Clare- mout, N.H. It was at a new opening of the church after repairs upon it had been made. The day was inauspicious on account of the weather, but the attendance was large. He writes : " It was a somewhat painful service. The house was very warm, and we feared a repetition of the fainting scene of the preceding Sunday, at Manchester, N.H. Our strength, however, did not utterly fail, but we went to our quarters exhausted." He notes the changes that had taken place in the society, especially b}- death ; and of the effi- ciency of the Sunday school in keeping up its vitality. He speaks with much tenderness of Father Abraham Fisher, who was for so many years a constant attendant on the church services, and of his excellent wife, who gave the bell in the tower to the society. Of the best helpers of the society at the tune of his visit, he sa}'s : " They are not men of gold watches and moustaches, but men of iudustr}', honesty, econoni}-, temperance, patriotism ; solid farmers, honest mer- chants, and the like." Two Sabbath services are lost to him in April, because of illness and confinement at home. Congregations in Concord, N.H., and Acton, Mass., are thus disappointed. His reflec- tions are : " We are not worn out ; our work is not done, we think ; we speak reverently : but while the Lord has any thing for us to do we shall live." < >n the second Sunday in May, Mr. AVhittemore officiated in the First Universalist Church in Lowell, Mass. The pas- tor, Rev. J. J. Twiss, was present. In the afternoon the THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 349 ordinance of baptism was administered to about a dozen children ; by Mr. Whittemore to the child of the pastor, Mr. Twiss, and by the latter to the remainder. After the bap- tism, Mr. Whittemore commenced a discourse from Matthew xviii. 2, 3 : "And Jesus called a little child unto him," &c. While in the midst of the discourse, the preacher was over- .come with sudden illness, which compelled him to call upon Mr. Twiss, the pastor, to finish the discourse, which the lat- ter did, taking it up at the point where Mr. Whittemore left it, and carrying it through to the satisfaction of all present. Mr. Whittemore recovered so as to address the congregation before the close of the service. He expressed the hope that he might soon be well again. He thought that for danger to life, this attack was not to be compared to the one experi- enced by him in Warren, Mass., in 1854. He advised his friends not to be alarmed. In a consideration of the question, "Which is the best view of God?" he writes : " Our Saviour gave this direction to his disciples ; ' Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.' Many descriptions have been given of God's character. We will now note only three : " 1. It has been said that God from all eteruit}-, without regard to faith, works, or conditions, elected a part of man- kind to everlasting h'fe, and reprobated the remainder to end- less suffering. The elect he loves, bestows blessings upon them in this life, and will grant them endless happiness in the next. The reprobate he hates : if he bestows on them any good thing here, it is only to aggravate their final dread- ful doom. How would the character of a man appear who should thus deal with his children? Yet this conduct should be imitated by all who verily believe that God conducts thus. " 2. It has been said that God loves all men, and has made salvation possible for all ; but at the same time has given 350 MEMOIR OF men an ' agency ' which he fully knows will hinder the sal- vation of man}-. Let a man conduct thus. Let him profess to love all his children, and to desire the continuation of their lives ; at the same time let him give them food which he knows they love, in which he has mingled so much poison that he knows it will destro}* the lives of one half the number. This would be God-like, if the conduct of God be such as has been represented. But, God-like or not, such conduct would be rewarded by our magistrates with hanging. "3. It has been said that God loves all men ; is good unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works ; that he bestows all the good men enjoy in this life ; and not only desires, but will assuredly accomplish the everlasting salvation of the whole human family. Let man imitate this character. He need not hate any one. His benevolence may extend not only to all his own family, but to the whole human race ; and by exercising this benevolence he imitates God. "Reader, which character, think yon, should man imitate to become holy? Think of these things. Remember, it is your duty to become perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." In his first number of the new volume of the Trumpet (June 2, I860), he writes of his faith : " We always preached Universalism. ."We thought it a glorious doctrine when we began, and we think so now. We rejoice in what we have done. We look back from the stand-point of threescore years, and devoutly thank God that we never, in a single in- stance, preached any thing adverse to Universalism. True, we have sometimes made mistakes, and are far from being a perfect man, but we rejoice that in our whole ministry we never felt the slightest temptation to swerve from that great doctrine, which is the truth as it is in Jesus." He is particularly inquisitive as to the anxiousuess of Rev. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 351 C. F. Hudson to disseminate his theological opinions in refer- ence to the endless destruction (or annihilation) of a part of the human race. He has announced a new book entitled "Christ our Life," the object of which is to prove, not so much that Christ is our life, as that a part of the human race shall be endlessly and radical!}- destroyed. " What is it," he asks, " that makes this theme so sweet to Mr. Hudson? If he were at work for Universalism, we could easily account for his zeal, for then what he would reveal, it would do mankind good to know. But who is to be benefited by being befogged on the subject of destruction ? Will the sick and the dying be any happier if the}- receive Mr. Hudson's doctrine of de- struction ? Certainly not, for there is no comfort in it. Mr. Hudson became sick of the doctrine of endless punishment, and sought a remedy for that doctrine. But his favorite theory leaves men in darkness, doubt, and despair. It is unworthy of God." It is a lively Anniversary Week again in Boston. Mr. Whittemore took part with great earnestness in the meetings that were held by the Universalists. The prayer and confer- ence meetings were of high interest. Three thousand Sab- bath-school children and their teachers held a meeting in Tremont Temple. The Festival at Faneuil Hall was one of the highest order. Horace Greeley, Esq., of Xew York, pre- sided. He made a timely and noble address ; and was fol- lowed by Rev. Messrs. Rugg, Thayer, H. C. Leonard, Deere, Spaulding, Bolles, and A. B. Fuller (Unitarian, whose life was afterwards given for his country in the war of the Rebel- lion). Mr. Whittemore writes of the meetings : " One thing which gave peculiar power to the public meetings of Anni- versary Week, was the fact that the speakers were all taken from the young men. The Uuiversalists never had a better series of speakers. And the best is yet to come. There is 352 MEMOIR OF a batch of young orators at Tufts College who will confer great honor on their parents, friends, and the denomination, who will surpass altogether the }'oung orators of the late An- niversary Week. The noble banner of our church will be borne up well by the young men." His friend and brother, Rev. Dr. Sawyer, entreats him to remit his labors, and take life more easily. " Nurse yourself. Do not think it your duty to wear yourself out as soon as possible. I beg you do not be in such haste. We cannot spare yon for years to come. You are not an old man j-et, and with proper care are worth half a dozen boys for twenty years to come." Mr. Whittemore acknowledges the kind and heart- touching exhortation. " We have had such ad- monitory words from Mrs. Whittemore and our children, on this subject. Our famib/ physician has threatened us with sundr}- penalties. Our coadjutors in the active business of life have admonished us. But the trees will throw off their foliage at the winter's blast ; the flowers will fall ; man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Then shall the dust return unto the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." His testimony against the use of the " vile weed " is sen- sible and manly. "Some person writes us, 'Do you use tobacco? Do you chew, or smoke, or take snuff?' We answer very readily that we do not. There might have been a time years ago, when we did chew tobacco slightly and sometimes smoke cigars. We believed at last that the practice did us no good, and we abandoned it, wholly, totally, and shall never resume it. It was offensive to personal clean- liness ; it clouded the brain in some degree. In our case it was evil, and only evil. We never loved it; but, if we had lvi-il it as the toper loves brand}', we should have abandoned it. This is all we have to say." THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 353 He notes a fact in reference to the connection of Fore- fathers' Rock at Plymouth, Mass., and Universalism. " Uni- versalism is established on Forefathers' Rock more directly than any other religion. All the churches in Plymouth except the Uuiversalist, are located at some distance from the Rock. In fact, it is not certain that a part of the orig- inal Rock does not lie directly under the Uuiversalist church. We are speaking of the veritable Rock in its original place, and not of that piece which was split off and earned up into the village, and deposited in front of Pilgrim Hall. The very spot where the feet of the forefathers first touched the shore was precisely where the Universalist church now stands. There is a narrow street between the outer face of the Rock and the Universalist church ; but it is probable that a part of the original Rock, in the place of its formation, lies under that church. The Universalist church in Plymouth, then, is the real Pilgrim church. Its preacher stands on Forefathers' Rock on every Sabbath day, to break to the people the bread of life." In June, Mr. Whittemore visited Newport, N.H., to attend the Xew Hampshire Convention. " We went up," he says, " for the benefit of health, for the fresh air of the Xew Hampshire hills, for the society of friends, for the diversion of the mind to inspiring subjects. The Sunday-school meeting was full of Interest. That excellent Superintendent, Brother Parker, of Nashua, presided. One ofter another, the Superintendents arose to make statements respecting the schools. The Methodist clerg}-man was present, and made an address in union with the spirit of the meeting. The writer tried to preach on the last afternoon of the session. He did not faint, but went through to the end. Perhaps this may be regarded as a violation of his promise. If so, he hopes it will be forgiven him. The journe}* did him good." 23 354 MEMOIR OF In August, he made his first visit to the Isles of Shoals, nine miles from Portsmouth, N.H. His wife accompanied him ; and, aside from a short but severe sea-sickness on her part, the trip was a very enjoyable one. At the last of the same month, he visited Vermont, and attended the State Convention at Cavendish. The visit was exceedingly enjoyable to him. The meetings were very large, and the services of deep interest. Mr. Whittemore made an address on the morning of the second day. He spoke for nearly an hour without fatiguing himself. In his account of his visit, he gives a glowing description of Vermont and its staid and thriving people. Of those with whom he mingled most, he writes: "There are no better people in the world than the Universalists of Vermont. We do not sa}- they are perfect, but they come as near to it as any people we have ever seen. Perhaps our picture is too glowingl}* painted ; but remember we go among Universalists ; and, if our pic- ture is too bright for people in general, attribute it to our keeping the very best of company." He has some pertinent remarks eh'cited by King Agrippa' s word, " Almost," in his sa} - iug to Paul. " Almost thou per- suadest me to be a Christian : " Agrippa was nearly balanced on the pivot of convic- tion ; but the beam did not gain an equilibrium. The king- doms of this world outweighed the heavenly kingdom. Touching Paul, ' Almost ' was a confession of his success : but touching Agrippa, it was a record of defectiveness, short- coming, irresolution, a yielding to temptation, a controlling worldliness ; in short, failure. To confess one's self a! must pei'suaded is to confess one's self unpersuaded, almost a Christian, not a Christian. The -man who is only almost able to take up his note at the bank fails, and is reported as bankrupt. He who is almost persuaded to relieve the needy THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 355 leaves them in want. The navigator that can almost keep his reckoning drives upon the rocks and is a castaway. ' Almost ' has a certain warmth in it. a certain coloring, a certain temper quite its own. It is a prophecy of what might have been, a confession of what ought to be ; but as a record of what is, it is a sj'nonyme for failure. " But it is not simply failure. It is a precursor of failures to come. It tells of duty neglected, of moral commands disobeyed, of promptings of conscience disregarded. A neglect of duty is the deadening of the moral sense. He who hears often the plaint of the poor, and heeds it not, will cease at length even to hear it. The unemployed husband, or unfilial son or daughter, who sits by the fireside and lifts not a hand to ease the burdens of the wife and mother in her daily toil, comes at length to feel that she is by right the servant, while the}* are practically guests in the mansion. They fail to read as they ought, their own self-condemnation in the lines of care upon her toil-worn face. Duty neglected darkens the understanding, blunts the sensibilities, and chokes out the life. Duty performed clarifies the perceptions, quickens the conscience, and strengthens the whole man in good. Let us beware of joining the school of Agrippa ; but rather }-ield to Paul's persuasiveness, ' I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.' " The United States Convention held its annual session this year in Boston. Mr. "NVhittemore writes of it: "The occa- sion has come and gone. Boston has been flooded with Uni- versalists. Individually, we had as much as we could do in receiving the brethren and friends from the countn* at 37 Cornhill. Our own house at Cambridgeport was well filled with friends from a distance, and we took great pleasure in 356 MEMOIR OF having them there. The happiest hour of the week was on "Wednesday evening, after the lecture, when in our own par- lor, with the accompaniment of the piano, we all joined in singing conference hymns. It seemed to us that we were well. We felt that we had health and strength to preach. We longed to be in the pulpit. [He was not strong at the tune.] So much for the influence of our friends upon our heart. Their presence did us good. We have no doubt that, in all the Universalist families hereabouts, there was much joy." In a brief article entitled "Three Ways to Live," he has some pleasant and profitable thoughts : " I have three ways to live : I live in the present ; I live in the past ; I live in the future. I live in my labor, in my en- joyments, at the head of my family, as editor of the Trumpet, as a preacher of the Gospel ; these are present things. ' ' I li ve in the past ; and how ? I am continually living my life over again. I forget little that I have done. I remember the scenes I have witnessed ; the men and women I have known ; the aged fathers in our ministry ; the Con- ventions of olden time ; the controversies of those days ; men now in the middle of life I remember as very .young men, and their children, now twenty-five and thirty, when they were babes in their mothers' arms. In this wa}' I live in the past. Why should the past be forgotten? It is the only thing we have to remember. We cannot remember the future, neither can we remember the present until it has passed. Why did God give us our memories? It is that we might remember what has gone by us. How unwise are those who speak of past things as unworthy of our remem- brance ! "But there is still another way to live; I mean in the future. I live in faith and hope. I believe what the Word THOMAS WHJTTEMORE. 857 of God declares. I believe that if I die I shall live again. When I lie down at night, I believe I shall awake in the morning ; and when I shall lie down upon my death-bed, I shall hope to awake in the resurrection. But the sceptic will say, You do not knoio these things. We did not say we did know them. ~\Yc said they were matters of faith and hope. I know them better than I knew what I was to have in this life before I was born. I have never believed too much ; I have always believed too little. God has surprised me with my present existence ; he has brought me out of darkness into marvellous light. I thus live in the present, in the past, and in the future." 358 MEMOIR OF CHAPTER XVII. 1860-1861. AGED 60-61. Prostrate again His Last Sermon, in Maiden Resolutions from Mas- sachusetts Convention : Reply Expressions of Sympathy Sale of the Trumpet Question, " What am I? " considered Interviews with Friends Revival of Strength Decline The Departure Funeral Services Discourse by Rev. C. A. Skinner Other Tributes to him. IN the Trumpet of Oct. 13, there is an editorial notice headed " The Editor Prostrate Again." He was taken down soon after the Convention. On Sunday, Sept. 23, he rode with Mrs. Whittemore to Maiden to spend the day with Rev. Mr. Greenwood, not to preach, but to see his old friends in that town. He heard Mr. Greenwood preach in the morn- ing, and took part in the sen-ice. In the afternoon, with but little urging, he consented to preach : it was so hard to deny himself that enjoyment ! But it was too much for him. He was taken down on the following Wednesday. The family insisted that a consulting physician must be called, and his opposition yielded. Dr. Thompson of Charlestown, his long tried and excellent friend, was sent for, to meet Dr. Allen, his family physician. After a very careful examination, they decided that there was no enlargement of the liver, nothing of a scirrlions nature in the stomach, but possibly a slight irritation of the mucous membrane. They advised that there must be quiet, especially of the mind, which had been too THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 359 much worked. He should lie by for a time, and good treat- ment might bring him up. If he fell any lower, they could not reach him. They thought him in that respect in a dan- gerous condition. The Massachusetts Convention held its session this year at Springfield. Mr. TVhittemore was missed there, and the fact of his severe illness caused much sadness on the part of his ministerial brethren and many friends. The following resolution, offered to the Convention b}~ Rev. A. G. Laurie, AV;IS unanimously adopted : " Resolved, That this Convention hears of the serious ill- ness of Rev. Thomas "\Vhitteniore with great sorrow, that they send to hirn on his sick-bed the sympathy of their brotherl}' love, and their earnest hope that the human skill and love which are now contending with disease for his health and life ma}' be blessed by our Heavenby Father to his re- coveiy, and his restoration to his former duties." Rev. N. M. Gay lord was appointed a Committee to convey the reso- lution to Mr. Whittemore. It was gratefully received, and tenderly and affectionately answered. He writes in the Trumpet to his " Dear Brethren of the Massachusetts Convention : " " On Thursday, Oct. 18, as I lay upon my bed, Rev. N. M. Gaylord was announced as having a desire to see me. He was immediate!}- invited to my chamber, when I expressed to him my astonishment that he had not been to Springfield in attendance on the Con- vention. ' But I have,' said he ; ' I have just returned from there ; and have come down to bring you a letter from the brethren assembled in council ; a letter of S3"mpathy and love, expressing a hope that you may be restored to health. It is one of the pleasantest duties I ever was charged with b} r any Convention, to bear this letter to you.' I thanked him out of my heart. 860 MEMOIR OF " It does me good to know that I am not forgotten by my ministering brethren in my season of weakness and weariness. All I can do is to lie still, looking upward to heaven. I have great time for reflection. I have tried my faith over and over again. I have tried it in ever}- form. I can try it without actually passing through the veil. It sustains me ; it gives me hope and strength and life. With an opposite faith, it seems to me that I should be the most miserable being in the world. The stronger my faith grows, the happier I am. " I accept, dear brethren, your sympathy. I do not feel worthy of your remembrance. I am weak and feeble, and cannot make any suitable reply. "Where could I find a band of brethren w;hom I could love as I have loved these Universalists ? They have had my whole life. Very little of it is left to me now. You are my brethren, and I can never, never turn away from you. ' May the Lord bless }-ou, and keep you ; may he make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto }-ou ; may he lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.' I subscribe m}-self, most affectionately, 3'our brother in Christ. " THOMAS WHITTEMORE." Rev. A. G. Laurie, of Charlestown, wrote in reference to this action of the Convention : ' ' When the resolution was proposed, it was supported by every member of the house rising to his feet. Man}' persons among them dissented from the published sentiments of the 7"rmn/>t'f in reference to the Constitution of the new Convention ; and, indeed, the motion was made during a somewhat excited state of feeling on that very subject ; but instantly the simultaneous expression of respect and affection from the whole body made by that action, declared how firm is the attachment of the Universal- THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 361 ist clergymen and lait}' to one who has been so long and usefully a chief worker in the common cause ; and with what gratitude for his past services, and with what an interest of love in his present illness, the sympathies of the brethren gather round a life whose preservation is of such great value to us all." Letters of sympathy come in to him from various sources ; from his ministering brethren especially. They are greatly com- forting to him. His views of Christ are fervently expressed in a reply to a letter from Rev. J. G. Forman, of Alton, 111. : " I thank }-ou when j-ou pray that the Restorer and Saviour may stand at my side. I have long had some acquaintance with this Saviour. I was taught to lisp his name in my tender youth. He accompanied me through my boyhood, like a bright angel at my side. In my twenty-first year, he sealed me (although very unworthy) as a preacher of his grace ; blessed be his name ! Praise him, all 3-6 angels ! From that time to the present, he has been near me. For the little that I have done for the cause of his truth, I desire to be very thankful." When lying very weak and low, his son-in-law said to him, " I am about to write to Dr. Chapin : what shall I sa}* to him for you?" " Oh ! " said he, " I will try to write one more epistle, and it shall be addressed to Brother Chapin." He sat at his bedside, and with his own hand wrote the letter. It was a farewell to his esteemed brother. Dr. Chapin's en- gagements brought him soon to Worcester, from which place he wrote the following epistle : " WORCESTER, Nov. 15, 1860. "MT DEAR BROTHER WHITTEMORE, I write, not knowing whether this will find 3~ou on the shores of time or not. Should it do so, accept my heartfelt thanks for your letter. I assure you that the love which you express in it for me is fully re- 362 MEMOIR OF ciprocated. My thoughts have been much upon you of late. I should like to have seen you, but am forbidden by engage- ments. But you need no consolation or encouragement from me. Your faith is sufficient for you. and I rejoice at it. Our intercourse has been very pleasant ; not interrupted by a single harsh word or any unkind feeling. May it be renewed where " ' Congregations ne'er break up, And Sabbaths never end.' " Affectionately yours, " E. H. CHAPIN." In the Trumpet of March 23, 1861, a notice appears stating that this paper has passed from his hands. He feels that the labor, care, and anxiety attending the publication of it is more than he is able to bear. His family, his friends, and his physician think he ought to be relieved of all labor and care not positively necessary. He feels anxious for the paper. " Acting in accordance with this conviction, he has sold the Trumpet establishment, with all its accounts for subscriptions and advertising, to Rev. James M. Usher, who has the best wishes of the retiring editor and publisher, that he ma}- be successful in the new enterprise which he has already assumed. May the paper deserve and receive a more extensive patron- age than it has ever enjoyed in the past." The paper was, in after years, united with the Christian Freeman, published by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb ; and was subsequently purchased by the New England Universalist Publishing House, who con- tinue to issue it from the same office, 37 Cornhill, under the name of the Universalist. During the winter, he was confined most of the time to his bed. There he met his friends with cheerfulness, and gave them repeated evidences of his firm faith in the principles he had so long and so earnestly advocated. The faith which THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 363 had sustained him in life now shed its radiance upon him as he neared the confines of " the morning land." His walk through the valley of the shadow of death he did not fear, for the rod. and staff of the Lord gave him assurance and support. " One day," writes his son-in-law, " my father called me to his bedside, and pointed out to me the following article, and said, ' I wrote that many years ago. It truly expresses my mind now.' " ' ' WHAT AM i ? " What am I if Atheism be true? A poor, blind creature of chance. My race came into existence I know not how ; and, when I die, I am to perish for ever, like the beasts. The beasts have the advantage of me, for they have no desire for immortality ; but I have a desire, which is to be mocked and tormented. " What am I, if Calvinism be true? Perhaps one of the elect, perhaps not. I may be damned for ever ; and if not, some of my dearest friends may, which is about the same thing. Miserable consolation ! ' ' What am I if Arminianism be true ? My eternal destiny in that case is committed to my own keeping, to the care of a poor, blind, erring creature, who cannot tell what even a day will bring forth. ' ' What am I if Universalism be true ? I am a child of God, a creature formed in his moral image, an heir of eternity, on whom God will bestow unfailing blessedness. I find myself in this world, but I know that this is not my home. It is only a temporary resting-place, the place of my journeying, the road on which I walk to the abode of the immortals. I find that I do not belong to earth. Death is ' the gate of endless joy.' I need not fear annihilation ; I need not fear 364 MEMOIR OF what is worse, eternal woe ; but I may believe without a doubt, and I may exult in this faith with a pure and holy joy, that I am a brother of angels and a child of God. This is what I am if the doctrine of Universalism be true ; and I re- joice that all my fellow-creatures are the same. How should we live under the influence of this doctrine ? "NVhat will be the natural effect of it in our hearts ? Answer : It will pro- mote love to God, love to men, even to enemies ; it will enable us to raise our thoughts from the grovelling pursuits of life, and fix them upon heavenly things." Many pleasant interviews with friends were held at his bedside. One was enjoyed by the writer of this memoir. He found the invalid in a happy frame of mind. He spoke of a rich season he had enjoyed with some of his ministering brethren and others, in the morning ; as also of a call made upon him that day by his friend Mr. Green, Mayor of the city, who had once been a pastor in Cambridge. "You have fought a good fight, my dear sir," said Mr. Green. " Ah ! " said the sick one, " let me say those other words in that passage of the apostle : ' / have kept the faith : ' that is my great blessing now." The whole interview with the call- ers at this time was deeply impressive, and gave to those present renewed assurance of the value of the faith and hope of the Gospel. After this time, there came a brief revival of his powers. He was able to leave his house again, and even made a visit to the office in Cornhill. But after some weeks he began to fail, and the end evidently appeared near. Towards the last, he was calm and trustful. He said to a brother at his bedside, "My work is done; I leave my work behind me. What I have preached is the truth, nothing but the truth. I have nothing to take back nothing nothing. I am almost surprised at my frame of mind, that I view my approaching THOMAS WIIITTEMORE. 365 departure with so little dread ; but my faith is as strong as it ever was. I have got so far on the way, that I do not know that I want to be called back again." And then he repeated the lines of the poet : " Vital spark of heavenly flame," &c. His pastor, who preached his funeral sermon, truly said, ' His victor}' did not come at his death-bed, it was wrought out before." l He breathed his last on Thursday night, March 21, 1861. The funeral occasion was one of the deepest interest to the Universalist Churches in the neighborhood of his home, to the citizens of Cambridge, and to the community at large, by whom he was so well known and so highly respected. The service took place on the Tuesday (March 26) following his death. The relatives and intimate friends assembled at his residence at the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets, where private exercises were held, conducted by Rev. A. G. Laurie of Charlestown, who read appropriate passages of the Scriptures, and offered praj'er. The funeral procession was then formed, and proceeded to the church, which was thronged. The exercises opened with a dirge from the organ, followed by a hymn from the "Gospel Harmonist," entitled "Anastasis," the music of which was composed by the de- ceased. Selections of Scripture were then read by Rev. C. R. Moor of Cambridge, another hymn was sung, following which a fervent prayer was offered by Rev. C. A. Skinner. The congregation was then addressed by Rev. Dr. A. A. Miner, of Boston, and Rev. T. J. Greenwood, of Maiden. Of the man and minister Dr. Miner said : "He was not aged by the weight of years. But he was 1 Rev. C. A. Skinner. 366 old by the weight of toil. He was old in the profession of his love. He was aged in those voluntary and unremitting labors, for the good of men and of the church, for the honor of God and the comfort of souls, to which he lived to devote himself. For full forty years has his name been, perhaps, quite as closely identified with those great principles of our holy religion that give joy to our hearts, as the name of any other ; and I do not know that you, who are able in your own experience to call to mind the condition of this world as it was forty years ago, and contrast it with to-day, and who are able to observe the changes that, have marked the intervening period, and recur to those by whose labor, and faith, and genius, and persevering devotion these changes have been wrought, I do not know that in this survey you will be able to recur to any name that more readil}' presents itself than the name of the brother whose mortal remains lie now in our presence. Yet we cannot forget that during thirty years of this period he has not filled a pastorate. With many cares of the world upon him, with many labors and toils that would have absorbed the entire energies of most men, you have met with him in the chair editorial, and as an author, appealing to the religious mind, and as a preacher welcome ever}-where, in all our churches. " His life and his labors, varied and persistent as they have been, are left as a legacy to his family, to the Church, and to the world. His influence will remain with us. We shall not, indeed, meet him henceforth in the pathways of our toil ; we shall not meet him when believers in our Zion are convened ; we shall not meet him either in social conference, or at the Communion Table of our Lord. We shall not meet him per- sonally, as in times gone by ; .but in what direction shall we look, which way shall we turn, where some memorial will not THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 367 present itself to us, and bid us remember what he has done for us, and the joy that abides in our hearts? In the fruits of his labor, he shall long remain in our midst, to bless those who shall be led, through his instructions, unto the God of Hosts, unto the Father of the spirits of all flesh. His mem- ory, embalmed in our affections, will be henceforth hallowed by the shadows of death. " With little outward aid, with few favoring -circumstances, with a persistence and vigor of purpose animated by a new discovery of divinest truth, he consecrated himself to his life- labor ; his perseverance shining out steadily in the midst of all events, converting even obstacles into causes of success and triumph, because he took fast hold of God, and believed in the ordainmeuts and the pleasure of heaven." Rev. Mr. Greenwood said of him : " In the forty years that have marked his ministerial course, it has been my privilege, for more than thirty years, to be an humble toiler with him in the cause in which he labored ; to be in his neighborhood nearly all the time, and thus to know something of the influences which moved his own spirit, and rendered him so faithful and so successful in the work which God gave him to do. And for years, in reference to him, as in reference to no other man that has ever lived upon the earth, there has been ringing in my ears a voice of instruction with regard to the power and influence of Christian faith as cherished by him, and as illustrated by his own life. I say that an influence has come to my soul from this consideration, as from no other man that has ever lived on earth ; and I mean by this to say that he has put that faith to the test to the severest test as, within the range of in}- knowledge, no other human being has had the power or privilege to test it. 368 MEMOIR OF Notwithstanding the vigor of his frame, the indomitable energ}* of his being, the power which God gave him in the work allotted to him, the}* who knew him most intimately, know that, even for years past, he has been at least partially checked in his course, partially broken down, by the inroads of the disease the mysterious disease which has at length closed his life. Three times or more, under such circumstances, it has been given to him, with the faith he cherished, to walk down to the very borders of the grave, to take that look where, to the unchristianized mind, and to the soul of the faithless, nothing but darkness and desolation reign, and to catch glimpses there of the spirit-land : to hear the distant cadence of the songs which angels and enfran- chised spirits sing, and go back to earth refreshed, invig- orated, and encouraged for the labor which he was still to perform here upon the earth. And when our fears had well- nigh found their fulfilment, that the day of his departure was at hand, but a few months since ; when he himself Lad be- come aware of and prepared for the inevitable hour, and wife and children were at his bedside, and the pale messenger seemed ready to touch his lips with silence, how expiv>-i\e the power of the faith he cherished, as expressed in the lan- guage he uttered to a brother now in this presence : ' Grad- ually, calmly, sweetly sinking.' For him. death had no terrors ; the grave had no gloom. The victory had been pre-dated for him, and he met the hour, when it came, like one sustained by the truth he had borne to other minds." At the conclusion of the addresses, prayer was offered by Rev. E. A. Eaton, of South Reading, and the benediction was pronounced by Dr. Miner. Some time was occupied in the solemn leavc-tuking. the congregation being so large that progress through the aisles could be made but slowly. As THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 369 the audience dispersed, the funeral cortege formed. The pall- bearers were Hon. J. D. Green, Ma3'or of Cambridge ; Rev. J. M. Usher, of Medford ; Deacon Eben Francis ; Robert Douglass, Esq. ; Benjamin Tilton, Esq., of Cambridge ; and (J. W. Bazin, Esq., of Boston. The remains were conveyed to Mount Auburn. As the procession passed the Episcopal Church, Old Cambridge, the chime in the tower pla}-ed the tunes "Peace, Troubled Soul," " Pleyel's Hymn," " Tivoli," a Dirge by Pleyel, " Sicilian Hymn," " Dead March in Saul," and "Naomi." The family burial- lot is at Mount Auburn, No. 2007. It was a late hour before the mourners returned to their homes. On the Sabbath following the burial, a Funeral Discourse was delivered in the church by Rev. C. A. Skinner, the pastor, entitled " The Christian Warrior," from the words of Paul to Timothy : " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing " (2 Tim. iv: 7, 8) . These words were chosen by Mr. Whittemore as a text of the last sermon he ever attempted to prepare. But little else beside the text had been written. The discourse by his pastor was a just and feeling tribute to the subject of it. The closing section is beautiful as it is appropriate : " It is Easter Sunday to-da}-. And as the sun rose bright and glorious this morning, rolling back the shadows of the night before its oncoming splendor, flooding, with its golden light, mountain and plain, and all the habitations of men, it was symbolical of the light that the rising of the ' Sun of Righteousness ' has shed upon the world, scattering even the shadows of the grave, and glorifying the humblest tombstone that lies to-day with the early grass and the first flowers of 24 370 MEMOIR OF spring. Oh, what a grand fact is that bursting out from the history of the ages ! What a great truth is that which breaks in fresh significance upon us with the dawn of this Easter morning ! What a fact for these friends to carry in their sorrowing hearts, as they shall go to plant flowers upon the grave of their dead. Standing there by his sepulchre, the voice that spoke to Mary in her grief shall be heard again. borne through all the avenues and winding paths of Mount Auburn, saying to them, ' He is not here, for he is risen.'" Tributes to his character and memoiy came in on even- hand. " For forty years," said the editor of the Maine Gos- pel Banner, " he has been a prominent man, and, most of the tune, a leader in our communion ; and it will be a long time ere we shall accustom ourselves to think of his absence with- out sorrow. We shall miss his cordial greeting in Cornhill ; his characteristic paragraphs in the Tnnnpef ; his genial wit at our festivals ; his defence of our faith ; his advice in our councils ; and his strong and earnest words in our religious meetings." " His business talents," writes the editor of the New York Christian Ambassador, " were of an extraordinary character. As the fruit of his industry, he acquired a large fortune in a manner the most honorable and commendable. We ever found him a warm-hearted, loving, ministerial brother, a true friend, and a zealous and sincere Christian." The Chris- tian Inquirer (Unitarian) bore this testimony : "As a self-made man. as an author, as an editor for many years, as an earnest preacher of his peculiar faith, the broad, honest, Luther-like, yet tmder and affectionate, presence of Thomas AVhittemore will long be remembered. He did a great work in his day to prepare thr way for a more universal acceptance of the truth that God is Love. Peace to the memory of the brave old iconoclast ! " A Baptist clergyman of New Hampshire says of him: "Al- though I am a Baptist clergyman, and cannot believe that all THOMAS WH1TTKMORE. 371 men will be saved, still I do cherish the memory of Mr. WMttemore, and esteem him highry for his work's sake. I cannot persuade n^self that he was not a friend of God, as, unquestionably, he was a friend of men. How much he wrought in forty years ! " Discourses in reference to his departure were preached from Universalist pulpits, in Boston, Charlestown, Providence, R.I., and elsewhere. We note one passage of a discourse of Rev. T. B. Thayer, in the Warren Street Universalist church in Boston : " It may be justly said that it would be impossible to estimate the difference in our denominational position and strength, if Mr. Whittemore had not lived and preached and talked. Take out his activity, and zeal, and intelligence, and large information, from the last thirty years of our de- nominational life ; take out the powerful influence of his ser- mons and conversation ; take out the Trumpet, with its ringing notes of alarm and defiance against the hoaiy errors of the Church creeds ; with its sharp, doctrinal discussions, and popular expositions of Biblical texts and phraseology ; take out his books, several of which as his ' Notes on the Para- bles.' the ' Commentar}' on the Apocalypse,' and the ' Mod- ern History of Universalism ' have been among our most valuable and useful publications ; take out his missionary labors so widely extended in his latter years and his popular addresses on religious subjects ; take out his varied experience, and counsels, and business talent, and executive ability in our conventions and public meetings ; and the dif- ference between what we are. and what we should be as a denomination, as a religious power in New England, in the entire land, would be immense." 372 MEMOIR OF CHAPTER XVIII. His PERSON AND CHARACTER. IN summing up our account of the departed in these pages, these questions are very naturally suggested : What were some of the leading traits in the character of Mr. Whittemore ? What has he wrought ? What instructions are given us in his words and deeds ? A thick-set, round-faced man, of ordinary height, was the preacher ; with no outward grace of appearance, except that which savored of healthfulness and self-reliance. His large features indicated strength, if the beautiful was not promi- nent in them. There was genial humor and tenderness in his eye, and his strong smile lighted up his whole countenance, and gave it attractiveness. He was somewhat corpulent, and in- dulged quite freely when at the table, for which in after years he had admonitions which led him to greater abstemiousness. He realized his need of bodily exercise, and for years was accustomed, as he has told us, when the weather was favor- able, to walk every day from his home in Cambridgeport to his office in Boston, often returning the same way, a dis- tance of two miles. He had a clear, strong, ringing but not musical voice ; sometimes accompanied with a slight huskiness when beginning to speak, but pouring itself out with great effectiveness as he became filled with his theme. In singing, especially when excited, his voice seemed almost like an accompaniment of reed music to the other voices. He could make himself at home wherever duty called him, and into THOMAS WHITTEMORE. ^ 373 whatever company : if with the polite and refined, none could be more watchful, reserved, or truer to "the proprieties" than he ; if with the less polished, an equal ; if with the jocose, as witty as the wittiest ; if with the sorrowing and suffering, none could be more tender. That he should have " troops of friends," and should leave the strong impression of himself upon them, is readily accounted for. Upon whatever might have been deemed defects in his character, we can think and speak charitably. He was not faultless : that he knew, and was ever ready to acknowledge. He might have been and was wrongfully judged by those who could not realize what inward strife he had experienced in the formation of that character which, as a whole, made him stand so well with his friends. The wonder is, that with the waywardness which marked his early life, according to his own confessions, and the many adverse circumstances in the way of his spiritual culture, he became the man he was, so true to principle, so firm in virtue. It is written that the author of the ' ' Pilgrim's Progress " once said, on seeing a poor convict on his wa3~ to Tyburn to execution, " But for the grace of God, there goes John Buriyan ! " Mr. Whitte- moi'e seemed fully aware of the influences that had kept him from the power of temptation, and from the destructive evils into which so many youth are drawn. It was once told him, while he was editor of the Trumpet , and had occasion to speak so often in exposition of the wrong-doings of the ministers of other sects, who were so ready to condemn Universalism for its lack of restraining power over those tempted to evil, that an over-zealous woman, quite aggravated at these exposures, said earnestly, " I wish that Mr. Whitternore might get into some such difficulty ! " " Dear woman ! " said he, when the account came to his ears, " by the grace of God she cannot be gratified." He attributed his success, in the formation of 374 s MEMOIR OF his character and in the walk of his h'fe, to the renovating influence of that Gospel which it was his great purpose to promulgate. There were differences of opinion in regard to certain questions, theological and reformatory, which led to very plain words between him and not a few of his de- nominational brethren. But they were not alienated from each other on this account. They loved him for his work's sake, and he kept his course with them fraternally to the last. The versatility of talent possessed by Mr. Whittemore was notable. He could do man}* things, and do them well. He was an apt and comprehensive business man ; one of the ablest among the business men of his time. He was a care- ful financier. He looked well to his accounts, and knew how he stood in debt and credit with all men. Taking care of the littles made the great incomes more certain. This was his habit, such as men acquire who have had to begin life on smallest means, and struggle up into a competency. The business world seemed somehow of right to claim him. As a bank and railroad director, as a city officer or State legislator, he stood among the foremost. Wherever he undertook to act in good earnest, he seemed at home ; and whether his ap- pointments were according to bank hours or railroad or church- service time, he was in season at his post of dut}*. Some have thought that his secular cares at times might have trenched upon his ministerial work. Possibly it might have been so ; but the ability and disposition to do these various works were in him, and could not easily have been suppressed. l-V\v men would have served in all the capacities that he did with less complication of the ditt'erent interests. He had time and place for each and all. He was a talented musician, a ready composer of instrumental accompaniments to be used by the members of his choir, and for }-ears he was a member THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 375 of the principal musical society in New England. Later in years he determined to become a musical author, and issued books of sacred music among the most popular and acceptable of the time. The editor of the Salem Observer said of him : ' ' His name adds one more to the line of famous shoemakers. He was, doubtless, a good cobbler in his youth, as he has been a good preacher since he dropped the waxed-end, and took up the thread of public discourse. To be at the same time a preacher, president of a bank, editor, and president of a rail- road, and good at all, certainly gives evidence of great versatility of talent." As a writer, he was plain, pointed, strong ; sometimes quite attractive in his rhetorical and descriptive efforts. Although given to verse-writing in the beginning of his literary efforts, he never excelled as a poet, nor attempted to do so. And yet he has left us one of the most compact and literal versions of the Lord's Prayer in the language. 1 This versatility of talent helped him as a preacher. It gave freshness and variety to his public addresses, and especially served him in his editorial work. The Trumpet, whatever might be thought of its theology, was never a dull paper. It was usually alive with argument, fact, illustration ; with that which could make a weekly journal a welcome visitor to its patrons. The eyes of its editor looked in all directions for what could give interest to it. Said an earnest solicitor of subscriptions for another paper once to an intelligent friend of ours, " There is no better weekly in the land than this ex- cept the Boston Trumpet, edited by Mr. Whittemore, and that cannot be excelled by any paper." Many thought thus when the chief attention of its editor was bestowed upon it in the vigor of his days. 1 Adams and Chapin's Coll. Hymns, 438. 376 MEMOIR OF The industry of Mr. "WTiittemore is one of the most remark- able of his life lessons to us. This was untiring. His mind was seldom inactive. He undertook great tasks, and suc- ceeded in accomplishing most of them. He did well to resign his pastorship when other duties as an author and editor claimed the chief share of his attention. His sermonizing then became comparatively a light labor. He preached much as an itinerant, and could use his powers for extemporizing with greater effect and less cost of effort to himself than though he had been called to bring from his mental store- house new as well as old forms of appeal to his hearers, a work which the settled pastor finds himself so constantly impelled to do. Other ministers of less abilit}- have made themselves highly effective in this itinerant course of ministe- rial effort, while others have rested too much on their past labors and have given but little attention to the renewal of their mental efforts by fresh supplies through study and medi- tation. But what work our preacher might have bestowed upon sermonizing was given to other pursuits, some of them of equal importance with his ministerial work. And, besides, his habits of inquiry and investigation kept him well stored with facts and illustrations with which to interest the many audiences to whom he ministered. In addition to his edito- rial labors, he had constant!}- before him some work of interest, as he deemed it, by which the cause of Christian truth might be aided. He entered upon the work of an historian. 3 1 r. Ballou (afterwards President of Tufts College) had resolved to prepare the history of ancient, and Mr. ^V'hittemore the history of modern, Universalism. Much of the ground to be survej'ed in this work was new. It had not to this end been examined carefully and extensively by any other historians. The materials were in existence, and it needed only two such patient and untiring explorers and gatherers to collect and THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 377 arrange them. The author of the Modern History did his part faithfully. His other works already mentioned were wrought with the same industry. What he lacked in his knowledge of certain languages to aid him in his researches, he attempted to gain by persistent effort, to master at least the rudiments of them, that he might employ them as occasion should demand. Nothing of this kind of effort seemed to daunt him. Dr. T. J. Sawyer wrote of him years ago : "I have been expecting that, in the midst of all his other labors, he would study Greek and Hebrew for the purpose of writing a Commentary on the New Testament, or perhaps the whole Bible." When preparing to write the Modern Histon", he found it desirable to read French, and forthwith lie put him- self at work to acquire a knowledge of the language. His singing-books are resolved upon, and although a well-trained musician, he finds himself lacking a knowledge of thorough bass. He seeks instruction of one of the profoundest har- monists in New England, and is soon qualified for the work intended. His Commentar}' on the Apocarypse and on the Book of Daniel were written large portions of them amid seasons of bodily weakness and mental depression, when severe trials were upon him. But he seemed to seek refuge in these investigations of Divine Truth, and find the home- work and rest of his heart there. His industry was inspired by his fondness for facts and his inclination to details. He was seldom wrong in reference to a date or an event which had once come to his knowledge. This made him an accurate historian. It was of especial advantage to him as a business man. He would have, as far as possible, personal knowledge of any important interest with which he was connected. While his ph}'sical powers were in full vigor, he wrought as little b} r proxy and as much himself as possible. His lone walk upon the railroad track 378 MEMOIR OF for personal examination of the road from Fitchburg to Brat- tleboro, when he had the supervision of its business, was an evidence of this. The last of his years evinced this habit of persevering industry in him. Partial paralysis does not find him willing to yield. He clings to the pulpit, and attempts to go on with his work there, when the benumbing power is upon him. He pursues the task of revising his Modern His- tory, to be enlarged into two volumes, one of which he suc- ceeded in giving to the public ; and persists in his ministerial labors until plrysician, family, and friends prevail on him to yield to the demands of nature and afford himself rest. A sterling representative was he of that indomitable will and endurance, undismayed by adverse influences of whatever force or form, for which the New England character has been so justly distinguished. In this he has been an example and an inspiration to not a few in the past, as he will be to others in the long time to come. His industry is for the encourage- ment of all toilers who would make good and effective their influences in the world. " Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings : he shall not stand before mean men." This virtue of which we have spoken has, in the instance before us, nobly earned the tribute here given to it in the Sacred Word. His peculiarities as a preacher were mainly these ; strength, plainness, scrip turalness, earnestness, vivacity. He was, theologically speaking, a strong man. He grasped his sub- ject as if by intuition, and could present its points with a peculiar force, in the face of any number of objections. The more the objections, the greater seemed his anxiousness to meet them. He was not a metaplrysician, nor did he as- sume to be. For the intricacies of logical stud}' and exercise, he had no groat inclination. But he could reason with great clearness, and usually with much effect on the subject which THOMAS WHITTEUORE. 379 he desired most of all to urge upon his hearers. Conscious too of the truth which he advocated, he had all confidence in the positions he assumed, and was ever inviting theological inquiry, and in readiness to answer its demands for himself and in behalf of the faith he cherished. He was a plain preacher. His hearers could clearly see all the points he would urge upon their attention. He had learned this method in a good school ; for, if he had any preacher as a model before him, it was Mr. Ballon. One difference in their methods was, that while Mr. Ballou seemed to think it well to leave something for the hearer to work out for himself, as if in deference to his logical perceptions. Mr. Whittemore would present it often by repeated illustration or enforcement, so that there seemed but little call for any extra mental action on the part of the listener. Said a shrewd and intelligent hearer once, after listening to both of them for the first time : ' Mr. Ballou gives his hearers good food ; Mr. Whittemore, after doing the same, seems determined to aid them in eating and digesting it." This was his habit, the endeavor to make all things plain to the humblest capacity. Said a friend who heard his last discourse in Maiden, " I shall never forget how it interested the children. They talked of it after they came home more than of any one they had heard before." Although elegance of speech was seldom sought by him, he had that direct and common-sense utter- ance which made him understood wherever his discoursings were heard. He practised after the apostle's affirmation : " Seeing we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech." No attentive hearer went away from his preaching querying as to what the minister intended to present as his sentiments ; so mystified with his indefiuiteness, so dazzled with the imagery, or captivated with the manner of the speaker, as to be unable to identify the topics of the discourse. The 380 MEMOIR OF points were made, and made to tell, too, upon the minds for whom the}' were intended. He was a scriptural, a textual, preacher, whatever might be thought of his method of sermonizing in the face of modern changes. After the way of most of the old Protestant divines, he fortified his statements and illustrations of doctrines with a goodly array of testimony from the written AVord itself. " To the law and to the testimony," was a favorite text with him in the earlier times of his ministry. It expressed his fondness for using a ' ' thus saith the Lord " in defence of his faith. He had read his Bible diligently, and could make his quotations from it with the greatest readiness. Sermons having texts that were not used after being named in the beginning ; sermons that were intentionally sparse as to Bible language, lest literary niceness should not be conspicuous enough, he held in light esteem. He regarded the Script- ures as their own best interpreter, and was fond of showing to reader or hearer how one text could be made to shed light upon another. He believed that there was no greater need among men than an acquaintance with the real meaning of the Bible, a need which, if rightfully met, would weaken scepticisms and partialisms, dispel the theological and spiritual hallucinations of many kinds, and bless man with " the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." l His earnestness was another peculiarity in his pulpit work. 1 He writes of himself in a foot-note of Dr. Sawyer's Biographical Sketch of him, in the Trumpet of Dec. 25, 1852 : " Almost all my dis- courses are founded on the Scriptures. I could not preach without the Bible. With me a ' thus saith the Lord ' is not merely a sine qua non. but it is also a ne j>lits ultra: I cannot do without it; I ask nothing else. Although I do not write my sermons, yet I never preach without pre- meditation ; and almost always have the frame of the discourse written out before me, and pinned to the leaf of the Bible." THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 381 His preaching had life in it. He never entered the pulpit as an essayist or reader of homilies, but as a preacher, a living man to living men. or to those who ought to be alive in their inquiries after religious truth. His eloquence was in the truthfulness and earnestness of his preaching. When warmed with his subject, he had much power over an audience. If he had not scrupulously studied the graces of oratory, }*et, filled with his theme, he was the orator who would hold the atten- tion and usually the S3*mpathies of his audience. His dis- courses, like the one on "Jesus and the Resurrection," or from the text, " They believed not for joy," were exceedingly effective. His vivacity, combined with these other peculiarities, of course made his preaching attractive. His illustrations were often apt, if not always the most refined in conception and presentation ; and his wit would break out even in the midst of the most serious appeals and tenderest passages of his discourses. Hearers expected to smile at times when he preached ; and there were those, in heart-faith deeply sympa- thizing with the speaker, to whom this indulgence on his part was an offence. But it was never thus intended by him. He certainly did not design by any lightness to loosen the force of his appeals to the understandings and affections of his hearers ; and, if his wit and pleasantry were too exuberant at times for the more serious-minded of his audience, he never tried them with an}* forced exercises in the pathetic. Pathos with him was the utterance of the heart's sincerest emotion, and his bore that evidence so plainly with it that its genuine- ness could not be questioned. It may be truly said of him, as it was of one before him who spoke with more than human power, that " the common people heard him gladly." It was his aim to reach them, and he did. Not only in the pulpit, but in the conference and pra}~er 382 MEMOIR OF meeting he was always at home. He took great interest usually, and more as his years increased, in the meetings of conference and prayer with his denominational brethren or with other Christian fraternities. He believed in the com- munion of Christians in the spirit of the apostoh'c benediction, ' ' Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sin- cerity." He was in the truest sense a denominational man. a sectarian in the best definition of that word. He loved the name (next to that of Christian) by which we as a sect are called. To him it embodied a sublime idea, one in which the thought of the Christian world ought to be centred, that of the Divine Paternity. His Universalism was based here, and he desired that all others might build their theology on this sure foundation. He was conscientiously and unceas- ingly opposed to any evasions, suppressions, compromises of sects or no sects, that would have the effect to keep this con- sideration out of sight. Living and dying, this was his con- viction and this his testimom*. He believed that as a church we should not go out of our way to seek the patronage of any other, but rather have dignity and consistency enough to do our own work under our own name, and to do it well, and thus gain the honor we deserved, and would sooner or later receive, from the wisest and siucerest of sister denominations. But he had great charity. His sectarianism was not soured nor frozen. It had good fellowship for all lovers of the great Christian Master. Mr. Whittemore was not strongly inclined to put himself forward as an ecclesiastical organizer. That he had eminent ability for this work no one who knew him could doubt. Had he given that talent which made him so successful in the bank and railroad operations which he conducted, to the building up of a thoroughly planned and effectively working church organization, embracing the interests of our whole THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 383 church fraternitj-, throughout the countrj-, he might have proved himself a helper in our onward movement whose memory on this account would have been gratefully cherished. He seemed, however, to have not only little inclination to see his denomination assume an effective form and organized method of action, but was inclined to question such move- ments in this direction as were made b}' some of the wisest in our churches, and finally accepted and adopted by them. Carefully prepared reports on this subject made to the Gen- eral and Massachusetts Conventions failed to receive his approval. That he was conscientious in this course it would be uncharitable to deny. But such action on his part seemed inexplicable when his usually clear perception and sound judgment in practical matters were taken into the account. His strong influence was greatly needed in preparing and rendering effective the present commendable organization of the American Um'versalist church. None were readier than Mr. Whittemore to acknowledge the truth which other denominations held and proclaimed, and the good which they were accomplishing. He was a " liberal Christian." But this word " liberal " had definiteness with him. It did not signify any thing or ever}- thing out of the line of the accepted orthodoxy of the past ; but Christian truth, or what was believed to be this truth, held in Christian love for all. " In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." was an acceptable basis of Christian fellowship and action with him. A "Broad Church" that could take in all shades of belief from most rigid Calvinism to most latitudiuarian pantheism, or transcendentalism, or spiritualism, he did not conceive to be exactly the church of the New Testament, "Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." This last-named church was the one which he loved most, and he believed that not a few of all the sects were worthy members of it. 384 MEMOIR OF As a theological controversialist, Mr. Whittemore must be fairly judged. He came into the field when the attention of the Christian community, in New England especially, had be- come seriously turned towards Uuiversalism. The preaching and writings of Mr. Ballou and his contemporaries had set religious thought astir. It was beginning to be seen, and was in so many words acknowledged, that " Universalisrn was to become the prominent heres} T of the times." Opposition to this rising heresy manifested itself in various forms, but chiefly in misrepresentation, ridicule, and satire. Papers es- pecially anti-Universalistic were started, and lectures deliv- ered and published, giving the advancing doctrine an ill name to the public. Mr. Whittemore was well prepared for this kind of warfare. If others could use wit and ridicule against Universalism, he could show how these very weapons might be employed against themselves. If they asked for argu- ments, none were readier than he to adduce them, and to give closest attention to any examination of them which a theological opponent might make. But when assertions as to the absurdity of the theological pretensions or immoral tendency of Universalism were put impudently forth, he had a way of " turning the tables " so as to make his opponents see themselves " as others saw them ; " which, doubtless, not a few of them remembered in after days. The narrower theologies had so generally kept the ascen- dancy in New England, that the advocates of them, especially the ministry, were habituated to the feeling of contempt for ruiversalism, and were inclined to treat with something like arrogance those who were bold enough to avow and defend it. Against all such assumption, it was Mr. Whittemore's business to wage an uncompromising war. In his treatment of such opponents, he gave them to understand that their assumed airs of religious superiority had no acknowledgment THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 385 on the part of the Christian fraternity which he represented ; that he regarded them as equals, and deemed his own author- \i\ to judge them by their works as unquestionable as was theirs to denounce him and his brethren as heretics. One intention in his frequent exposures of the moral aberrations of ministers of other sects was that of humbling the pride of Such as were ever in readiness to represent Universalism as tending to evil, and that continually. His hits in this direction told, and a better behavior on the part of the accusers was the result. He would not spare error. He indulged in no bitterness towards the errorist ; but he would give his groundless accusations, his reckless assumptions, his shallow sophisms no chance of escape from exposure. He was as blunt as Luther, and equally fearless in defending what he believed to be the truth of God. But he outlived much ill-feeling on the part of religious opposers ; and later in his ministerial course held pleasant Christian conference and communion with individuals and churches who once would have considered such fellowship of spirit impracticable. We justly class Mr. "\Yhitteinore among the reformers of his time. It was to theological reform, however, that he gave closest and most habitual attention. In some of the philanthropic movements of the da}- he took deep interest. He spoke strong words for the abolition of the gallows, for the promotion of temperance, for the reformation of the offender, for the raising up of the fallen. He had a warm heart, and could from its depths say to the recording angel as in the vision of Abou Ben Adhem: " Write me as one who loves his fellow-men." He believed in human progress. He was a friend to the cause of education. He advocated this cause in behalf of his denomination. He sought to aid it in good words and acts for institutions established under its fostering care, and espe- 25 386 MEMOIR OF dally in earl}' and timely endeavors to place the new College at Somerville on a permanent foundation. 1 If Mr. Whittemore was watchful of his financial affairs, he was disposed to be generous, also, in his bestowal of aid to the needy. If he would not be easily induced to give in answer to all the appeals that came to him, he had a heart open to the calls of those less blest with earthly goods fhan he. A ministering brother (Rev. A. G. Laurie) writes of him : " 'Means he made and had, and he was a minister of Christ,' said the surface-seeing world. And ' means he had and gave, and he was a minister of Christ,' was the blessing of many ready to perish which came upon him. From no family source, but from one well knowing whereof she affirmed, I learned, years ago, how, from that house of which he wiis the head, flowed manj* secret streams of bounty into the dwellings of the neighboring poor. And I well remember how, when I came before him fifteen years since, asking only his influence, not his money, for help to our broken-down church in Canada, he equally surprised and gratified me unknown, a feeble apostle from the wilderness by putting into my hands the largest contribution I received froni indi- vidual help, in the course of a weary mendicancy of three months through the chief cities of the North." In his domestic relations, Mr. Whittemore found great enjo}*ment. Home to him was the dearest of all places ; and, however absorbed he was in business abroad, he gladly turned from its cares or perplexities to the delights of the family retreat. He was blest with a companion of rare worth, who was indeed a sympathizing and most efficient helper to him, and of whom he ever spoke in tenderest praise. Nine chil- dren were born to them, four of whom survive. 1 Since his death, his large and valuable library has been presented by Mrs. Whittemore to Tufts College. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. 387 Such was the man, the minister, the toiler, who wrought diligently and did faithfully that for which he seemed so well qualified by nature, and b}- the improvement of the powers God had given him. He aided in a work in his day for which we have reason to " thank God and take courage." He lived to witness changes which his own persistent labors had helped to effect : lived to see religious sectarianism more tolerant than it had been ; his own church increasing in influ- ence as in numbers ; opinions which he had discarded and denounced as error questioned, and in many instances repu- diated by sects or parts of sects who had once held them ; and the very principles which are the basis of Christian Uni- versalism boldly and eloquently advocated in many of the pulpits and in much of the popular literature of the day. He could afford to be thankful as he realized this change, and had a right to the conviction that his labor had not been in vain in the Lord. Sturdy and indomitable Christian hero, struggling up through early adversities with vigorous trust ; led by divine grace through doubt and darkness into the Gospel's marvel- lous light ; out of weakness made strong ; valiant in ' ' the good fight," how art thou speaking to us all as one of the world's heroic moral pioneers to whom we and our race are indebted : who lived for God's truth and the rights of a com- mon humanity ; who died in the strength of the overcoming faith, and whose helpful works do follow him ! The Great Cause which as a Christian minister he advo- cated will triumph. All weapons formed against it shall fail to prosper ; and every tongue that rises in judgment against it shall be condemned. It is one of the grandest privileges we can have to contribute to its advancement. Discourage- ments there may be, there are ; mountains of prejudices to be brought down, valleys of human ignorance and degradation 388 MEMOIR OF THOMAS WHITTEMORE. to be levelled up, that the highway of the Lord may be laid for the redeemed to walk on. But humanity will not falsify itself nor the Almighty's purposes fail. What he has prom- ised he will perform. There are hopeful indications and assurances. Helper after helper shall appear as the world is read}' for them. All things shall aid us, the Divine and the human. Sects shall come to this light, and churches to the brightness of its rising ; all truth-seeking minds, all hearts imploring for the Father, all souls crying out for rest and salvation. As we would honor our nature and bless our race, let us go on ! " For Eight is Right, as God is God, And Right the day shall win ; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin." THE END. Cambridge : Press of John Wilson & Son.