Discussion of Universalism, or a Defence of Orthodoxy Against the Heresy of Universalism, as Advocated by Mr Abner Kneeland, in the Debate in the Publications, as Also in Those of Mr Bal

Excerpt from Discussion of Universalism, or a Defence of Orthodoxy Against the Heresy of Universalism, as Advocated by Mr. Abner Kneeland, in the Debate in the Universalist Church, Lombard Street, July 1824: And in His Various Publications, as Also in Those of Mr. Ballou, and Others

In the Philadelphia edition of Buck's Theological Dic tionary, by Edwin T. Scott, 1823, Mr. Kneeland, under the article Universalists, boasts that several works written by himself and Mr. Ballou, have never been answered. He was also in the habit of giving challenges from the pul pit, and he' and his followers were in the practice of boasting that they were not accepted. In a note attached to his 8th Lecture, he says, at each publication, the learned clergy have been respectfully called upon to shew wherein these statements are incorrect. They have not seen fit to do it; and it is believed, for this good reason, because they know the statements are true. As, therefore, the most important facts contained in this Lecture have been more than thirteen years before the public, and yet remain uncontroverted,they now come forth with this additional evidence of their truth. Because it is fair to presume (the facts here stated being so important in themselves to the cause of religion) that if they could have been contradicted, with any colour of evidence, they would have been before this time. The following are extracts from the preface to his Lectures, viz. The work has had an opportunity to be fully tested by public opinion; and notwithstanding the substance of the eighth Lecture (which is the most important of any in point of doctrine has been before the public nearlytwenty years, and it 18 now more than five years since this work was first publish ed, yet no one has attempted to point out a single error, in relation 'to the facts as herein stated, or to shew that any of the arguments are either unfounded or inconclusive. _this is considered as a silent acknowledgement, that in the opinion of the clergy generally, the work is unanswerable otherwise, being so often and so respectfully called upon to consider the doctrine. And arguments here advanced, and point out the errors, if there be any, it is difficult to accountfor their silence on this subject. He therefore once more respectfully invites and intreats the clergy 'of other denomi nations, or some one of them, the more learned the better, to discuss this important subject with him, and to point out to him and the public, the supposed errors of the following work.

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