It may be said that a son cannot write a faithful history of a parent--that such a production must needs be partial,--though we have numerous instances of the contrary. To such an objection the writer would reply, that there is but one side to truth, and it is this, and this only, that the reader will find in these pages. He offers no labored extenuation or defence,--there are no circumstances that require it; no appeal or pleading for a verdict of acquittal,--for there are no charges to refute; but he gives a simple, unvarnished biography of a true Christian and a faithful disciple of the gospel, whose whole life, even from earliest youth, has been a beautiful and consistent tribute to truth. For some time previous to the decease of the subject of this biography the author contemplated the present work, and for this purpose has, at various times, kept minutes relative to dates of his father's movements; and he has also been briefly assisted by memoranda and short articles from his father's pen, which are embodied herein, relative to his feelings concerning himself and his doctrine. The framework, so to speak, of the book, has therefore been in hand for a considerable period; and the placing of it in a proper form for the printer has been all the author has attempted since the death of his respected father. M. M. Ballou. _Boston, Sept., 1852._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY 9 CHAPTER II. BIRTH AND PARENTAGE 14 CHAPTER III. EARLY LIFE 22 CHAPTER IV. BECOMES A PROFESSOR OF RELIGION 38 CHAPTER V. COMMENCES TO PREACH 52 CHAPTER VI. BECOMES A SETTLED MINISTER 64 CHAPTER VII. REMOVES TO PORTSMOUTH, N. H. 89 CHAPTER VIII. SETTLES IN BOSTON 103 CHAPTER IX. COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE 120 CHAPTER X. COMMENCES THE UNIVERSALIST EXPOSITOR 136 CHAPTER XI. DOMESTIC AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS 173 CHAPTER XII. MR. BALLOU AS A CONTROVERSIALIST 231 CHAPTER XIII. SPIRIT OF HIS DOCTRINE 258 CHAPTER XIV. SENTIMENTS RELATIVE TO DEATH 322 CHAPTER XV. END OF HIS EARTHLY MISSION 366 CHAPTER XVI. CONCLUSION 392 BIOGRAPHY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.