Universalism in America. A history

Front matter

CJornell UniuerattH Slibrarg

IMitML* M.I. & A.0» ll»or«

CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Preface

SOMETHING more than a quarter of a century ago, the author began to collect material for this work. His progress has been slow, and much of it has been attended with difficulties which those who have had no experience in historic research will fail to understand. The origiaal sources of information, especially in the earlier years of our history, have been meagre, and scattered in many public and private libraries, to reach which has required personal examination. Limited both ia means and time, the author has found it difficult to carry on these investigations as rapidly as was desired. Hence the delay in preparing these pages for the public eye.

The present volume, as will be seen, attempts to tell the story of the progress of Universalism to the close of the eighteenth century, and to state the different phases of the Universalist faith up to that time; It has also aimed to give what biographical information could be obtained concerning the early defenders and supporters of that faith ; and it is matter of deep regret that so little information can be found in regard to so many of these worthy men.

It is hoped that no unnecessary delays will prevent the early completion of the work. Another vol-

VI PREFACE.

ume will follow this, in which, after the narration of the history in its chronological order, as in these pages, special chapters will be given to Sunday Schools, Education (both Academic and Theological), Hymnology, and Periodical Literature. The volume will also contain a Bibliography of Universalism, giving the titlepage, size or form of the edition, and number of pages of whatever book, pamphlet, or tract has been printed in America on this subject, both pro and con. More than two thousand titles have already been examined, copied, and arranged, and it is intended that this part of the work shall be as thorough and exhaustive as the circumstances of the case will allow. To this end general co-operation is earnestly solicited ; and as no inconsiderable part of our pamphlet literature has been published expressly for local use, and has never come into general circulation, a special request is hereby made that copies may be sent to the author, who, if desired, will after examination return them to the owner, or if no such request shall be made, will see that they are preserved in the Library of the Universalist Historical Society.

Grateful to all who have hitherto aided in making this record possible to public view, and especially thankful to our Heavenly Father that health and strength have been given for the preparation of these pages, this volume is now submitted to the reader.

KICHARD EDDY.

Melrose, Mass., October, 1884.

Contents

Page

Introductioii 1-12