The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-04


1t was the same evidence that COM
mended Christianity in the days of its
greatest triumphs. 1t was the spirit of
Christ in the lives of faithful mission
aries--it was the carrying of Christian
ity to men, as a life, rather than a
system of doctrines-which converted
whole nations, and changed savage
tribes into peaceful disciples. 1t is not
eloquence or learning in its leaders that
has given Christianity its greatest tri-
umphs in any age. 1t is not books of
evidence that have done the most to
commend it to men. Earnest believ-
ers filled with its life have given it its
greatest triumphs. The work it has
done for society and for souls has done
the most to commend it. And this is
the way in which it must be commended
to men to-day. Not many men will be
made Christians, or made to respect
Christian ideas and institutions by
reading Paley, or Butler, or any other
books of evidence. But they may be
made Christians, or have their regard
for Christianity deepened, by the unas-
sailable argument of Christian love and
faithfulness shining forth in the lives
of its disciples. They may be per-
suaded by the example of churches that
are full of the spirit of the Master, and
working together for all good causes.
They may grow into q more Christian
faith by being led into more Christian
life. .s-----sss... s..'s-
1t is quite the fashion, to-day, for
ministers to answer Ingersol and other
leaders of unbelief 1t is well to ex-
pose their sophistries and correct their
mistakes. Bat there is better way to
answer them than with sermons from
the pulpit. Answer them with more
of the experimental evidence of Chris
tianity. Let our drowsy Christians
arouse themselves to earnest efforts.
Let our contentious Christians follow
the things that make for peace. Let
our half-dead churches arouse them
selves to newness of life. Let all
churches become csnters of all Chris
tian effort and influence; earnest work
ers for all good causes. Let them feel
and practice-as well as ,preach-the
doctrine of Christian brotherhood so
that the stranger, when he sees the
open door of any church, will feel
''There is place where men will recog-
niZe the common tie of our humanity,
and shall be sure of a cordial welcome.
There is a place where | shall find
strength and encouragement to every
good Impulse Let the churches not
merely tolerate ministers who speak
with boldness upon all questions affect
ing human welfare, but let the minis
ter be entreated and commanded to
speak with such boldness. Let all our
churches be known for their z cal inbe-
half of reforms and charities. Let
their sympathies be SO broad, their
charity so large, that sorFowing souls
will be impelled to come to them for
consolation, and tempted ones for
strength. Let US have such churches
that when men look upon any upward
reaching spires they will feel like say
ing: There is place where men are
helped upward; place where men are
made more loving, and tender hearted,
and forgiving; where every good work
is helped onward where the doubter
can be helped as he catches some
warmth from believing souls; a place
to which the most hopeless and degraded
can go sure of some recognition Of their
humanity, sure of that loving tender
ness and helpfnlness which won the
love and obedience of publicans and
sinners in Judea place where every
wrong is sure to be rebuked, and from
which men go forth to seek and to save
the lost.
Now this certainly ought to be true
picture of every church which claims the
Christian name. But is it 2 If it were,
there would be little need of answering
the attacks upon Christianity of the
unbelieyers. For then, many a man
who had not the knowledge needed to
correct their mistakes, or the mental
training to detect their sOphistries,
would be moved to say, II cannot de-
fend my faith with arguments, or prove
the unsoundness of your reasoning 4;
but one thing know a blessed work
is being done for men-a work that
nothing else can do-by that Christian
ity which you assail." Men can, and
do give that answer now but how