The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-13
Special Contributors.
THE FAITH OF THE FATHERS.
It's Reasonableness and Simplicity
BY REV. HOLMES SLADE.
whitewater, Wis.,

(Wnlt0Wdter, WIS.,
By the Fathers as here referred to,
now mean the Fathers of Universal
ism, who lived in the latter part of the
last century, and the beginning of the
present. And of their faith, am of
the opinion that we are to understand
no very definite form of belief, save
that of the ultimate universal triumph
of good over evil; that holiness shall
conquer sin, and God be all in all.
This faith at first was no more than
protest against the doctrine of eternal
punishment, the natural and spontane-
GUS conviction of the souls of these
men, that it could hot possibly be, that
an infinitely good God, seeing the end
from the beginning, could create chill
dren of his liable to such fate but
that he created with view to their be-
ing made partakers of his enjoyment,
and being forever blest with him. 1t
was just as simple as this; and indeed
it was all there was of it. They saw
clearly that any other view than theirs,
outraged every principle of reason and
common sense, and they could not en-
dure the atrocious libel of human creeds
imposed upon the great mass of relig-
ious believers. They were intelligent,
earnest, practical men, and the moral,
practical argument, seemed to them the
strongest that could be. And it was
fundamental enough to give name to
the system that has distinguished us
from that day to this.
have to thank God every moment of
my life for those fathers who saw this
faith with such clear apprehension.
They were men who had an inner sight,
mind and conscience, which was
more certain guide to truth, and to the
divine word of wisdom than was any
outward guide of human creature.
They felt that they had a pyovidential
mission to perform, such as rarely fails
to the lot of any mortals on earth and
they could submit only to being guided
by the light of Gods spirit, and by that
higher reason in us which is the inspira-
ton of God, the revelation of truth and
wisdom, as believed and taught accord
ing to light and opportunity by all earn
est and confiding spirits; walking by
the great central and celestial light
which God made to guide all who come
into this world.
And let me say to the friends of the
cause, that L would rather part with
every grateful association | ever formed,
than to lose from my soul one feature
or lineament of that excellent faith con-
nected with the name of Universalism,
as | have learned it from these men,
who, however different may have been
the popularity of their individual sem
timents, were ready to peril their lives,
and everything that was theirs, in de-
fense of their principles. These were,
indeed, men of faith, men who, trusting
in God, could do and dare, and suffer
all things that God and humanity re-
quired of them.
1t has to be said of the great body of
them Tor rather it goes without saying)
that they lived most honored lives, and
have transmitted most hOnored names
honored in their connections among the
churches, and more than honored in
every private relation. We cannot be
too Jealous of their regulations, for in
claiming the right of private judg-
ment for themselves, and individual
freedom of opinion, they sought to
make progressive Improvements in
knowledge, and moral and spiritual
attainments, corresponding with the
light and privileges it was theirs to en-
Joy. Such was their loyalty to truth
and the right, and all to preserve this
liberty of ours, and keep the church
from going to wreck and ruin, that they
would have gone to the damps of dung
cons. Oh, if we but had half of their
deyotedness, half their self sacrifice
and missionary spirit, what might not
be accomplished by US, and for our
cause! We should consider that we
honor them rightly, and are true to
them only, when we honor the true and
the holy; only when, by devotion to
right principles, we go according to our
own highest light, as they went doubt
less, or professed to go at least, accord
ing to theirs.