The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-10

we will have a king to rule over US, that we
also may be like all the nations, and that our
king may judge us, and go out before us, and
fight our battles" SAM, viii, 10, 20J
read these words to show how those
whom we have come to regard as Gods
chosen people were, early in their his
tory, influenced by their surroundings.
They supposed that Jehovah had pro-
vided them form of government, as
well as a religion, but they wanted it
changed to correspond with monarch
ical forms around them. Because
neighboring nations had kings, they
must have one. They would go with
the political fashions of the day. They
did go with them. The rule of the
judges was exchanged for the reign of
the kings.
While the specific case may have but
little interest for us, the principle Illus
trated is important; the influence OF
an age and its institutions upon the
development of Gods kingdom the
notifications of this spiritual empire
by an era and it's tendencies. The
flow of events, the course of the world
at any particular time, the temporal
and secular activities Of men during a
certain period, have their bearing upon
the special agencies through which,
during the same period, the Divine
plans are being carried forward.
This is true in the case of Christian
ity, as it was in the case of Judaism.
Christianity has not only Influenced it
has been influenced. 1t has not only
shaped its surroundings it has been
shaped by them. Much that inheres
in the theology and ecclesiastical life of
to-day, was derived from other sources
than the noble teachings of Jesus. 1t
almost goes without the saying that
often the words of Christ have been
perverted to the last limit of human in
genuity, and bis spirit misunderstood
to the last limit of human stupidity.
Were he to return to earth to-day, much
in the system that is called by his name,
he would fail to recognize.
1t is well-known fact in botany that
plants of the same species, or plants
from the same seed or root, will differ
in magnitude, in the number of petals
upon the flower, in the color of the
flowers themselves, in form and size of
leaves, taste of fruit, and in other re-
speets, according to modes of culture,
richness of soil, temperature of climate,
and other external conditions. The
seed of the species is not changed; it
always produces the original kind. But
under different circumstances, it will
bring forth varieties of the same species.
Its development is inevitably controlled
by the soil in which it is planted, the
climate that breathes upon it, and the
care it receives.
Christianity as an inward life, Chris
tianity as furnishing the loftiest exam
pie and profoundest inspiration, is the
same everywhere and always. The
deep, large heart of it does not change.
1t is like the seed of the plant. But
surely as the unfoldings of the one are
affected by earth and air, so surely are
the form and expression Of the other
modified by the nation in which it takes
root, and the spirit that plays about it
and upon it.
1. In its early history, Christianity
passed through three distinct stages.
1. Until after the destruction OF
Jerusalem, Jewish Christians had more
or less of the old ritual and forms mixed
up with their religion. Many insisted
upon the ceremonial law as still bind
ing. They were willing to be Chris
tians, but must retain the old service.
They wanted the steeds of law and Cos
pei hitched abreast. More or less
Difference to ancient rite and ceremony
was paid by even the most enlightened.
Paul, strenuous opponent of the Juda-
izing spirit, submitted to publication
in order to quiet the fears of his jew
ish brethren. The Acts and many of
the Epistles show how the shadow of
the temple fell upon the cross. Great
sections of those writings, in some cases
whole epistles, have for us TO farther
interest than the light they throw upon
that first period of Christian history in
which the relations of the new system
to the old were defined.
We are not yet free from the spirit
that bound the infant religion in cords
of form and ceremony. Whatever tend
ency to ritualism survives to-day, is a
remnant of the old Jewish idea. The
infant has grown to be giant, but the
marks of that early bondage are still
upon him. The Pharisees are not all
dead. Sill are mint, and anise, and
cummin punctiliously tithed, and still
are the weightier matters Of the law,
such as justice, mercy, and truth, for
gotten. Still do we strain at gnats
and swallow camels. We need to re-
member with David, that the sacrifices
of God are "a broken spirit, a broken
and contrite heart" With Isaiah, we
may still regard Jehovah as saying,
''Your new moons and your appointed