A Treatise on Atonement, by Hosea Ballou
An online version of A Treatise on Atonement, the classic theological statement of universal salvation, or Universalism, by Rev. Hosea Ballou. Much of the text is from the fourth edition (from a copy of the 1882 printing of the fourth edition, published by Universalist Publishing House); some other editions as noted. This text is in the public domain; please copy freely, and spread the word about universal salvation.
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the first publication of the Treatise in 1805, I am slowly placing the entire book online here. As I begin entering chapters, the links below will become live; incomplete chapters will be followed by the word "incomplete" in square brackets. (If you are interested in helping to type, contact me via email at danrharperATaolDOTcom and I will mail you phtocopied pages to type.) Special thanks to the other typists: Rev. Scott Wells, Steven Rowe, Russell Allen, and Anonymous.
Please note that this online version of Ballou's Treatise is meant for the seeker who wants to know more about the doctrine of universal salvation. I have not intended this text for scholarly use, and therefore I have not included page references; students and scholars who would like page references should contact me via email.
--Dan Harper, April, 2006
Update, May 2007 -- We're more than half done, and making good progress. Current estimated time of completion is summer, 2007.
Contents
A letter to the reader
A Letter from the Author to the Publishers of the Third Edition
Part I. -- Of Sin.
Chapter 1. Its Nature
2. Its Origin [Incomplete; typist, Steven Rowe. Remainder of chapter assigned to Anonymous.]
3. Its Consequences
Part II. -- Atonement for Sin.
1. Erroneous Theories of Atonement [Incomplete; typist, Russell Allen]
2. Necessity of Atonement, and where Satisfaction must be made
3. Character of the Mediator [Assigned to anonymous]
4. Nature of Atonement
Part III. -- Consequences of Atonement to Mankind.
1. Their Universality
2. Objections [Incomplete; from a different edition of the Treatise; typist, Rev. Scott Wells.]
3. Reasons for Believing in Universal Reconciliation [Incomplete; typist, Dan Harper]
Title page of 1882 edition of the Treatise:
A
TREATISE ON ATONEMENT.
BY
HOSEA BALLOU.
WITH
AN INTRODUCTION BY A. A. MINER.
FOURTH EDITION.
BOSTON:
UNIVERSALIST PUBLISHING HOUSE.
1882.