Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-26

4 the mysterious GQlEndLlcdl CudTdGIcE which
in the popular mind it now bears. 1 DO not
question the sincerity of these men who
| have e%nshrouded this blessing in those
mysterious CARDS, but rather the truthful
ness of those theories which necessitate
such a procedure. Is the religion of Christ
such thatiJ has no moral significance to
men as they exist naturally in this world ?
Such an AgCiry Is in the immediate pro-
vince Of hEmsan Hn in it worthiest phases,
not removed 20 fhe outer ranges of mere
speculation. We may discuss such a doc
trine as thar of the Trinity, and there we
are on the bare outskirts of life, and a
| change OF opinion does not alter our ex-
p~erienee materially but on this question
| What is religion we stand in a different
position. We have approached very near
the seat of life, and are anxious
to know whether we shall touch
the heart with a fatal point
or guard it against the approach of the de-
| str0yer. We are interested to know whether
the common mass of men and women,
whether you yourselves have the moral ca
pacity to interpret a moral demand after it
has once been comprehended by the intel
lect.
1t will appear TO every one, I think, that
there can be but one condition of the soul
or life of a person, and that is a condition
that leads to an active service in the cause
which we indicate by the term righteous
ness. 1t is only upon this condition that
God has promised and nov confers the
blessing of his appreciation. You may call
it grace or whatever may please you. 1t IS
the inner life leading to that open rectitude
before God and man-this is the very
Christ. 1t is the right doing, the right be-
ing, and here the blessing ofGod always re-
mains.
Natural and reasonable as this may ap-
pear, you are all very well aware that the
popular mind decides that this condition
is not attained by the culture of germs nat
urally existing in men, but it is rather the
product of the Divine Spirit working so
mysteriously that none may know 1t but
those that have been transferred to the con-
dition of grace. Here ii caused a great di-
vision between men, the righteous, or
those who have been born again." being
admitted TO a world of spiritual experience
from which every natural man is excluded.
trust it will not be difficult to show that
such is a morbid and impracticable view of
religion. That which is of the greatest i'm
portanee TO the people should be most plain,
and in the practical affairs of life people
disregard these distinctions which in the
church are insisted on so strongly. The diff
ference between natural duu HTdClOu6 men
disappears, and we LOOK upon them as re-
s~ponSible men, called to the highest service
of truth and man, and we judge them ac-
cording to their faithfulness. All men feel
this responsibility, and it is for the interest
of the world that men feel it deeply. Chris
tianity is here in the world TO deepen this
conviction, and it does not preclude the pos
sibility Of its own success by proceeding
upon the principle that there is in man no
moral fitness for it. 1t p~re-suppOses the ele-
ments of its success in man, and 1t is here
10 develop them, now and always. 1t
quickens our aspirations it calls up with
active life our natural affections, and
whatever in us is spiritually weak
it aims to make the steady power of our life.
1t accepts as its own, whatever turns US in
to those courses which lead toward the
Great Spirit of love. 1t makes US God-like
by quickening the divine spirit that is
within US, and shows US most plainly that
what is goodness in US is goodness in God.
Instead Of shifting down to the grave all
the generous impulses that we naturally
feel, it accepts them as evidences of good
within u Island asks that they may be the rul-
ing power. With the doctrine of total de- |
pravity before us, these benevolent and hu-
name tendencies are a mystery, and men
lave attempted its solution by the suppo-
that an evil spirit, the Devil, has
this means 10 deceive US with
thought of our own goodness, |
and then trip us down to he'll.
1t is q serious mistake. We fearfully dis
a moral worth by thus regarding the
part of our nature. We sacrifice the
best offering of God when we thus bend
what is noblest within US to this sunken
plain of moral death. We are cruel to our
if we attempt TO bury our souls in
he sands of this moral Sahara; we ought
lot TO do it. Christ calls upon us to raise
he spiritual to its just mastery over the
mere earthly nature, and he helps us in this
work by his word and example. When this
ust victory is won in life, man is his own
as every man should be-. When
his aseendaney of spirit shall be obtained
throughout the world, then will the king
lom of Christ be thoroughly established,
nd the blessedness of his reign be dispens-
d to all his people.
The Conference then adjourned till nine
on Sunday morning.
SUNDAY SESSION.
The Conference was called to order by the
resident DR.. Sherman. The following res
luton was offered, which, after a full can
ass, was adopted:
WHEREAS, We recognize Universalism as
embodiment of the desire and PRAYERS
all the people and as being peculiarly
to meet the wants Of the people Of
ur " country in the present crisis of our
affairs, and
WHEREAS, We perceive this to be q time
eculiarly suited to the propagation of our
glorious and soul-cheering faith, there
re,
Resolpe3, That we, as Universalists, will
ow consecrate ourselves anew te the work
.hich God in his good Providence has COM
lifted to our especial keeping and that in
ord and deed, and by the all-potent infu-
ice of good example, we will commend
II faith to all men everywhere as We have
2portunity, and in order to reach the ut {
possible good in this direction we will I
cheerfslly sndjiberalIy use the means, ,
It'll mental and material, with which the :
,od Father has blessed US. !
The following resolution was then sub !
and, after free discussion, was also Q
e
WHEREAS, We recognize the great value c
ID importance of education as q molding d
ID Transforming power, and perceive that a
e sect that fails to recognize and apply .
is force must work at q great disadYant-
therefore, '
Resolrcd, That we hail with feelings of .
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