Page 127 - Gods Plan of the Ages

years he preached in various parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas.
He was not an organizer, but simply a preacher, and quite a voluminous writer, though
only a few of his productions were published. For several years he was welcomed to the
pulpits of the "Brethren" (Dunkers). It was no doubt at his suggestion that Siegvolk's
Everlasting Gospel was translated into English, and published by Christopher Sower,
printed, probably, on the identical press on which the Berleburger Bibel had been struck
off. This edition was reviewed by Rev. N. Pomp, a German minister in Philadelphia.
Alexander Mack, an eminent preacher among the Dunkers, replied to Pomp, defending
Siegvolk's views. This work was never published, but the MS. is still preserved. There was
found among Dr. De Bonneville'spapers, after his death, in 1793, a Commentary on the
Apocalypse, which was printed in German, at Lebanon, Pa., in 1808. There was also
Universalism in the Episcopal Church. Rev. Richard Clarke, rector of St. Philip's in
Charleston, S. C., from 1754 to 1759, was a pronounced advocate of it; as was Rev. John
Tyler, rector of the Church in Norwich, Conn., who wrote a work in its defense, which was
published by someone to whom he had loaned his MS., about 1787. Some of the
Congregationalists of New England were believers in Universalism; among them Dr.
Jonathan Mayhew, minister of the West Church in Boston from 1747 to 1766, who
distinctly avowed his belief in it in a published Thanksgiving Sermon, Dec. 9, 1762. Dr.
Charles Chauncy, minister of the First Church in Boston from 1727 to 1787, issued a
pamphlet on the subject in 1782, which was reviewed by Dr. Samuel Mather. In 1784 his
larger work The Salvation-of All Men was published, a second edition following in 1787.
Dr. Joseph Huntington, minister in Coventry, Conn., from 1762 to 1794, left a work in
favor of Universalism, entitled Calvinism Improved, whichwas published in 1796.
[End Article]

Should any desire to read further, I recommend the following as some of the most
thorough writings documenting the history of this teaching.

Ancient history of Universalism: from the time of the apostles to the fifth general
council, with an appendix tracing the doctrine to the Reformation by Hosea Ballou. This
book consists of 313 pages.
Following closely on this writing was one by a different author. The Modern History
of Universalism: from the era of the Reformation to the Present Time. This book is 458
pages in length and was written by Thomas Whittemore. It should be pointed out that "the
Present Time" is a reference to the year 1830 in which this book was published.
These two books together provide perhaps the most comprehensive history of the
doctrine of universal reconciliation as can be found today. Both of these books can be read
online, or freely downloaded from Google Books.

Final Note:
Today, the term Universalism is used to denote a wide array of very diverse, and often
incompatible, views. Some have asked me if I consider myself to be an Universalist.
Following is a reply I recently gave to one who asked this question.

It is necessary to define what you mean by the term "Universalism" as the word means
very different things to different people. Some who consider themselves "Universalists"
are clearly heretical in their beliefs. The Unitarian Universalist Church is an example of
this. They believe that all religions provide various paths that lead to God.What I proclaim
is that there is only ONE Mediator between God and man, and that is Yahshua, the Son
of God. He is THE gate through which ALL MEN must enter. There is no other name