The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-25

the affections. When Florence Night
ingale returned to England she was
more to that people than monarch.
She reigned supreme in every great and
noble mind. She had hold upon the
affection that royalty had not. This
she gained, not by money and illegiti-
mate power, but by the attractions of
love and kindness. Again, good works
are profitable because they contribute
toward habits that are as lasting as
character. When you teach your chill
dren the military drill, after a while
they may forget your peculiar mode of
instruction. But the effect will be as
lasting as life. So good works, particu-
larry in early life, will impart qualities
to the mind that will give complexion
to all our future history.
But while good works are of the
utmost Importance and utility they
don't merit an infinite reward. And
if good works don't merit endless hap
piness neither do bad ones merit end
less misery. Every man shall be re-
warded according to his deeds. But
this is but momentary compared to
eternity. His wrath endureth but for
a moment his mercy endureth for
ever.
God Furnishes sin, not on the princi-
pie of rendering evil for evil done,
but he overcomes evil with good. Pun
ishment is called Gods strange work !;
it is not for his pleasure but for our
profit. The Lord doth not affiict will
ingly or grieve the children OF men.
The Apostle assures US that sin,
with all its wide spread ravages and
desolations, is subordinate to grace.
For, "where sin abounded grace did
much more abound and as sin hath
reigned unto death even so might
grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life." E ternal life is Gods
bounty; it is gift; we are justified
freely by his grace it is not the re-
ward of servant but the inheritance
of son. The estate that is prepared
for the eldest reaches clear down to
the youngest.
OF the eldest it is said, ''Son, thou art
ever with me-" of the youngest, ''this,
my son who was dead is alive again.
In conclusion 1 would say that this gos-
pei view of salvation generally makes its
impression in death, if not in life. We
don't claim great numbers, but we
claim hundreds where we only count
one. There are hundreds in this COM
munity that would assail it today in
argument that would flee to it in
the hour of trouble. You let the low
ing mother part with her unconverted
children, one by one, till the last
star has gone down in darkness.
Does she go to her creed for comfortt
No, she gives it to the winds. She
plants herself squarely ON the goodness
of God. She says II know that they
are safe in the hands of merciful
God" Where men lie down upon theil
death beds, with but very few excep-
tions, they throw themselves upon the
grace and mercy of God.
DR.. Beecher, through all his long min
istry, preached conditional, partial
salvation. But when he was brought
down upon his death bed he caught a
glimpse of eternal things. The dust
cloud that had gathered around his
pathway was uplifted by an unseen
hand, and he was permitted gaze into
heaven. Now, he says, see; it is not
conditional, but free, full and complete
Aud that vision that was vouchsafeG
to his entranced and emancipated sou
made his departure as bright and beau.
tiful as a summers morning.
"Afraid, of ourselves, 10 pursue the dark way
| Thy rod and thy staff be our comfort anC
| stay.
We know by thy guidance when once it is past
| To life and to glory 1t brings us at last
1