Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-29

VIII pine and die, and If We are tn have !,
church at all in the future it is to be the
church of Rome. Without going into
the discussion, let US allow thai
Professionalism has a life and a work; that in
fact 1t IS to be the main fortress of the Chris.
tan religion, and thar in it we shall find in
the future, ali the advanced thought and the
progressive spirits of Christendom. Allow
ing all this. has the Universalist church !.
place and work in the scheme? One Look
shows every man who desires to know the
truth that at the present time we are beino
tried as in crucible. No years of our de-
nom'natlonal history have been more pro.
profoundly suggestive than the past
ten. The other denominations arc
coming to the conclusion that he.
lief concerning the future punishment
OF man Is non-essential. 1t may be that this
new weapon is pointless and will have no in
nuence hardly think this can be true.
ihere was once body in Boston known as
the antl-siavery Society. After the slave
was maze Tree the association, which had
some OF the best blood in Boston running in
its veins, was disbanded, because its leader,
ieit that ITS work was done. And while YOU
and feel that they are certainIy wrong
there are many men who are saving the
same thing of the Cniyersali,t church.
Having cast this glance into the whirliug
elements of the situation, You will permit me
10 remark that the same glance which shows
cur danger reveals our strength. Ii is very
certain that Religion must have a voice in
determining the social and political life of
the future, AS it always has in the past: and
1t Is equally sure that the church which
Yields the influence must be in accord with
the spirit of the age. This is at once the
glory and the shame of the church. She
could not hope to go out into the world and
do an influential work among men unless she
was aitaned to the times. This is an age of
transition; no man can exactly forecast the
fnture. Everywhere we find evidence that
the theology of to-day is waxing old like a
garment, soon to be cast aside and re-
placed by something better. In the coming
age what NAV we expect? This is an age
which marks the struggle of man for liberty.
We see this illustrated on every hand The
church OF the future must make room for in
dividual character and individual thought.
The man who chooses his own candidate in
politics, who relies on himself and becomes
strong thereby, does not and will not take
kindly to ecclesiastical machinery Again
this age demands the use of scientific meth
DDS in investigation and their application in
theology. Now, looking over our church.
noting carefully its genius and glancing at its
representatives, it seems to me that we are
able to embrace this characteristic of
the age without the least shock or
damage of any kind. Once more,
the better class of men are d, manling more
humanity in religion than ever before. And
where shall we find men more able TO carry
out these principles in the future than the
followers of Ballou and Charming! Every
man who takes pains TO look at the situation
at all Is convinced that the next 90 years will
see reconstruction of the superstructure
even if no changes are to be made in the
foundations; and if this be true, and have
correctly viewed our spirit and present po-
slti0n, | feel that we have work to do by
no means ordinary OF commonplace.
How can we best build ON the foundations
already laid?
Plant ministers of our belief wherever
possible. The book and newspaper
of denominatonal character do a good
work; but it is only by bringing men to-
gether, only by appealing to their spiritual
natures through song and prayer. only by
kindling their enthusiasm, can we sow the
seeds of righteousness. Therefore we must
have the preachers. The field is white for
the harvest. In nearly every village of this
great, growing country there Is room, and
the man who is determined and full of ener-
gy, with burning desire to preach truth.
can always find place. And let me say that
the dearest ;nterest wa have today IL orr
Divinity scbool W. have iva wo
need four In concluding Lot mo saw
that believe higher intelligence
than ours is guiding us on. It led
John MURRAY across the sea, il neryed
Father Ballou for hi, work in Boston, built
our colleges and churches. so that We oan
turn TO orr history and saw. ,.Hitherto hath
the Lord helned ne, And if We are faithful
To Him and IN ourselves wa sbal 90 nm to a
reasonable success.
Fol,owi,, Pho oco.s;o,., S., .o
.he Standardization Of ,ha HI. Cnn,n,.;a,
'"'
EVENING.
The Universalist Church-always pretty
and homelike - appeared more attractive
than usual last evening. The profuse floral
decorations. the fine music, and the sea of
upturned faces, must have had an inspiring
effect upon the speakers. The exercises be-
gan with reading selection from the Scrip
tures by Rev. G.. w. Perry, of Auburn, fol-
lowed by a PRAYER of great fervor and unc-
ton by Rev. w. A. Pratt. of Bridpton. The
first speaker was Rev. W. r. French. of
Turner. whose topic was the actual State
of Organized Uniyersalism in Maine, Its
Comparative Strength and Extent" Fifty
Mr. oil