The Universalist's Book of Reference: Containing All the Principal Facts and Arguments, and Scripture Texts, Pro and Con, on the Great Controversy Between Limitarians and Universalists

Published in the mid-19th century, this volume emerged from the intense theological debates characterizing American religious life during the Second Great Awakening. Everet Emmett Guild compiled this work to serve as a comprehensive manual for the Universalist movement, which sought to challenge the prevailing orthodox doctrine of eternal damnation. By aggregating biblical arguments and counter-arguments, the text provided followers with a systematic defense against the theological critiques leveled by traditional 'limitarian' denominations.

The design of the book reflects the era's preference for utilitarian, information-dense reference materials intended for the layperson. Guild structured the volume to act as a readily accessible repository for complex scriptural debates, prioritizing clarity and ease of navigation over decorative flourishes. Upon its release, the work was received as a significant resource within Universalist circles, filling a need for a unified text that could arm members with the intellectual tools necessary to engage in the period's frequent and rigorous public religious discourse.