The reader will understand that the views here taken are from the standpoint of a New England minister's observation, and do not embrace particulars which a wider survey might have included. Furthermore, the author would say, that in the account of ministers here given, nothing like a complete biographical encyclopædia is intended; hence, he does not consider himself responsible for what is not in the volume, but presents it as it is, with a thankful heart that he is able in this humble effort to vindicate the faithful dead, and to address the living in behalf of that cause which they honored and promoted. J. G. A. MELROSE HIGHLANDS, November, 1882. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE WORLD'S PROGRESS. PAGE The Century just passed.--Last Half-century and Changes in it.--Words of Rev. Dr. Macleod and Governor Long.--Moral Progress; Hopeful View.--Enlargement of Religious Thought.--Christianity a Universal Religion.--Words of Dr. Uhlhorn and Dean Milman. 13 CHAPTER II. CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM. The Name; what it indicates.--Ancient Universalism.--Dr. E. Beecher's Testimony.--Statements of Others.--Mr. Lecky and Dr. Shaff.-- Universalism of the Present Time.--In Europe. 19 CHAPTER III. UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA. Its Rise with the Republic.--Declaration of Independence.--Its Christian Signification.--Mr. Bancroft's Statement.--Spirit of the Constitution of the Republic.--Nature, Unity, Interest, and Destination of the one Family of Man.--Speech of Dr. T. Whittemore.-- Murray in Faneuil Hall. 23 CHAPTER IV. EARLY ADVOCACY OF UNIVERSALISM IN AMERICA. Murray and De Benneville.--Universalists as a separate Sect, and Reasons for it.--Statement of Rev. Dr. J. H. Tuttle.--Murray's Associates in the Ministry.--Their Characteristics.--Statement of Rev. Dr. J. Smith Dodge.--Description by Rev. Dr. A. D. Mayo. 30 CHAPTER V. GROWTH. Ministers at the beginning of the Present Century.--Statement of Rev. Dr. Miner.--Educational Aids and Publications.--Murray Centenary Fund.--Woman's Centenary Aid Association.--Theological Changes.-- Calvinism, Arminianism, Universalism.--Evidences of the Influence of the Latter in these Changes.--Orthodox Concessions. 36 CHAPTER VI. UNIVERSALISM, UNITARIANISM, RATIONALISM.