A Series of Letters in Defence of Divine Revelation by Ballou, Hosea, 1771-1852

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* * * * * * * * * * To The Reader.

H. Bowen.

Letter I.

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A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Ii.

H. Ballou. * * * * *

E. Turner." * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Iii.

H. Ballou.

* * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Iv.

H. Ballou. * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter V.

* * * * *

H. Ballou. * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Vi.

H. Ballou. * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Vii.

H. Ballou. * * * * *

A. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Viii.

H. Ballou. * * * * *

"a. Kneeland." * * * * * Letter Ix.

J. Buckminster. * * * * * Letter Ii. From The Rev. Hosea Ballou To The Rev. Joseph Buckminster. Portsmouth, Jan'y. 1, 1810.

Hosea Ballou. * * * * * Portsmouth, Jan. 10, 1810.

J. Buckminster. * * * * * Letter Iv. From The Rev. Hosea Ballou To The Rev. Joseph Buckminster. Portsmouth, Jan. 11, 1810.

J.w. * * * * * Letter Ii. From The Rev. Hosea Ballou To The Rev. Joseph Walton. Portsmouth, Dec. 11, 1810.

Hosea Ballou. * * * * * Letter. Iii.

Hosea Ballou. * * * * * Letter Iv. From The Rev. Joseph Walton To The Rev. Hosea Ballou. Portsmouth, Jan. 11, 1811.

Joseph Walton. * * * * * Letter V. From The Rev. Hosea Ballou To The Rev. Joseph Walton. Portsmouth, Jan. 15, 1811.

Hosea Ballou. * * * * * Letter Vi. From The Same To The Same. Portsmouth, Feb. 1, 1811.

Hosea Ballou

When the controversy closed, Mr. KNEELAND felt such an entire satisfaction in his own mind, that the objections which he had stated were fairly answered, and the validity of the Scriptures vindicated, that he was led to believe that to publish the correspondence would be of service to the cause of Christ. He therefore obtained leave of his correspondent, and carried the manuscripts to the westward, where he offered proposals for the work, and obtained a number of subscribers; but being called to remove to Philadelphia, he was under the necessity of postponing the publication for a season. The publisher having obtained some knowledge of this correspondence, and being informed by the Rev. Mr. KNEELAND that the arguments which it contains were, in his opinion, calculated to strengthen the believer, as well as confirm the doubting, he negotiated for the manuscripts and now presents the work to the public, entertaining a hope that it may serve the interest of christianity, and promote a respect and veneration for the sacred writings.

The letters which passed between Mr. BALLOU and two respectable clergymen in the town of Portsmouth, N. H. were some years since published in Vermont; but several circumstances rendered it proper that this work should be reprinted. Besides its being nearly or quite out of print, the first edition was on an inferior paper, the work badly executed, and a number of errors were discovered.

To those who believe in the universality of divine goodness, the publisher feels confident the following work will be received and read with no small satisfaction. And a hope is entertained that it may be the means of enlightening some, who though they possess the spirit of universal love and benevolence, have not the felicity of believing in the divine goodness to the extent of their own desires.

H. BOWEN.

A SERIES OF LETTERS, &c.

EXTRACTS No. 1.

[The first letter of the _objector_ was designed merely as an Introduction, inviting Mr. B. to the investigation of the important subject of _moral truth_, or more particularly the truth of _divine revelation_. The following are extracts.]

"The thought has long since occurred to me that the present age is an age of discovery and improvement. The human mind seems to be developing its powers in a most wonderful manner; new inventions, new discoveries, and new theories are the fruits of new experiments; while many are improving upon theories and subjects already existing. Thus human nature seems to be almost prepared to make a regular advance in _moral_ as well as _scientific truth_.