1832 – Transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson submitted his letter of resignation to the proprietors of the Second Church in Boston (Unitarian) due to his unwillingness to serve communion. He decided to seek a new profession. Read a short biography of Emerson, or view an exhibit about Emerson from the 2003 Bicentennial of Emerson’s birth. The post … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 11
1797 – Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin died at age 38. Her exact date of birth is unknown. She was a tireless worker for women’s intellectual, domestic, and political freedom and one of the early devotees of women’s rights. Her best known of many works is A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792). She died after … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 10
A ‘roundel’ window from the Netherlands, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 1598 – Unitarian books were burned at Leyden, Holland. The post September 9 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital library of Unitarian Universalism.
“St. Dominic and the Albigenses” (1495) Berruguete 1647 – Twelve Arguments Against the Deity of the Holy Spirit by John Biddle was burned at Westminster Square in London, England. Biddle is considered the father of English Unitarianism. The post September 8 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital library … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 8
1782 – Charles Chauncy published The Mystery Hid from Ages and Generations, or, the Salvation of All Men. He was a Unitarian minister who adopted the Universalist position of universal salvation. He argued that the punishments of Hell are not eternal and that eventually all people will be redeemed. Read more about Charles Chauncy at: … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 7
“Procession at Westminister Abbey,” Canaletto, (1749) 1647 – The Assembly of Divines at Westminster in London, England order John Biddle’s Two-fold Catechism to be burned by the common hangman (signifying that its publication was a criminal offense) and also ordered the Committee of Plundered Ministers to examine Biddle. Biddle was a thorough Unitarian and a fine … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 6
1794 – Hosea Ballou was ordained on this day without advance notice or preparation at the age of 23. Although he had been a respected Universalist preacher for some time, he had never been ordained. One the last day of the Universalist General Convention in Oxford, Massachusetts, Elhanan Winchester, known for his fiery preaching, pressed … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 5
1796 – Charles Theodore Christian Follen was born in Germany. After fighting in the German-French war, he became a distinguished lawyer; professor at Cantonal School in Grisons, Switzerland; and lecturer at the University of Basel. Follen came to America to teach German at Harvard University. Under the influence of William Ellery Channing, he became Unitarian … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 4
1824 – Caroline Augusta White Soule was born in Albany, New York. She was principal of the female department of Clinton Liberal Institute in Clinton, New York. She was a member of the editorial staff of Ladies’ Repository from 1856 to 1865. In 1867, she founded Guiding Star and served as its editor until 1878. … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 3
The Church in Oxford, Massachussets 1786 – Adams Streeter died at the age of 50. He was an early Universalist preacher who helped John Murray organize a Universalist society in Boston and the first minister of Universalist congregations in Oxford and Milford, Massachusetts. The post September 2 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History September 2
