I first discovered Rev Elhanan Winchester while
doing research on my family tree. I found out that he was half brother to my 5th
great- grandfather, Rev Moses Winchester.
As I read more about Uncle Elhanan and Grandfather Moses, I found out some amazing
parallels between them and myself.
Their background was as Baptists; so was mine.
Grandfather Moses was a Sabbatarian; so was I for many years.
They both embraced belief in what they called the Universal Restoration; which
faith I also hold to under the name Universal Reconciliation.
Grandfather Moses was only a pastor, not an author. Our knowledge of him is limited,
secondhand. ( See Addendum. )
Uncle Elhanan, on the other hand, wrote many books. ( See Bibliography. )
He was a very interesting character, and led an eventful life.
Two passions drove Uncle Elhanan. First, his preaching of
the Gospel, anticipating its ultimate universal acceptance. Second, his belief that God
was responsible for America, its freedom, its constitution. Much
of his public ministry was in Philadelphia, birthplace of liberty; his audience included
members of the infant congress and at least one signer of the Declaration of Independence.
I think we in this generation can all learn from this eighteenth century
Patriot and Preacher.
I commend his writings to this generation. In words quoted later in this volume,
"Let his WORKS, his WRITINGS, follow him, succeed him, and
preach the universal LOVE of God to mankind more extensively than it was possible for him
to do personally while on earth."
Richard Charles Condon,
5th great -grandnephew
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