The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-24

blessing, and entered into his joy equal.
ly with the one who had five9
IA. May not the infant who has moi
slnned commence its life, and grow in
grace and goodness and ever-increasina
JOY, even as those who have turned from
the ways OF wickedness, measure theil
upward growth and joy in righteous
ness from the point from which they
started, and thus conscious peace and
happiness be always measured from
purity of heart and motive, with con.
tinuousness of development in knowl.
edge and goodness, rather than from
any exalted position or great attain.
ment?
10. Though work and growth in sal.
walton may be still before us, when the
appetites and passions which tempt us
to evil no longer exist, are we not saved
when we cease from doing wrong and
commence the righteous life, enjoying
its blessings, instead of mourning over
sins which have passed away-even as
the convalescent invalid rejoices in the
commencement of returning health and
strength when the disease is removed.
instead of groaning over the aches and
pains which departed with it?
Is. When the light shines, is not
darkness annihilated and do not ig-
norance and error disappear in the pres
ence of knowledge and truth ? and with
our new opportunities and changed con-
ditions, no longer looking through a
glass darkly, may not right and truth
and love, take the place of wrong and
error and hate; and parent and child;
teacher and scholar, prince and peasant,
from their varied standpoints of devei-
opment, rejoice together, in grateful
recognition of that wisdom and good
ness which have led them into the path
of righteousness and all press forward
in love and trust toward the home of
their common Father Z?
II. While the general tendency of
belief in the various Christian denomi-
nations is toward Universalism, allow
ing future probation and the probable
repentance and salvation of those who
pass into the immortal life unregener-
ated, is there not also weakening in
the faith of some of the professed be-
levers and teachers of Universalism.
expressed by vague declaration of
what may be rather than of what will
be; making salvation contingent, un-
certain, and dependent upon mans
freedom of choice, which cannot be
controlled thus rendering his redemp-
ton doubtful, and if finally accomplish
ed, it will be only after an indefinite
period Of sin and suffering in the i'm
mortal life, with the possibility even
then of falling again into sin ?
IS. Though man may be consciously
free to choose right or wrong, good or
evil, is not the desire for happiness
with him, and the con-
trolling reason and cause of his choice
at all times, and under all circum-
something that he cannot
change, constituting part Of his be-
ing? And while he acts with conscious
freedom, must not his choice be that
which his nature Graves, or his mind
decides will bring most of present or
ultimate enjoyment And even when
ne violates conscience and right to graf
ify sensual desires, is it not with the
hope and expectation that he may in
some way escape the penalty of disobe-
dience, or that the enjoyment will more
than compensate for the pain ? And
when he sacrifices physical comfort and
material wealth, even offering life itself
for country and truth and right, is it
not because the qualification of his
higher nature brings more of joy and
peace and happiness to the soul than
material wealth or sensual eDjoyments
can give?
10. When man realizes that holiness
brings happiness, and sin brings misery,
and that he has no longer the body but
only the soul to crafty, are not the
laws of his being such that he must
choose holiness because of its inherent
attractions, and its fruits of ''love, joy
and peace" forsaking sin, with its
sshatred, envyings, solutions and strife, p"
and thus be born into the image OF the
heavenly And will not this bring the
omniscience and purpose of God, who
knows all the ways as well as the re-
suits of human conduct, into perfect
accord with the freedom of man, whose
choice from his love of happiness will
thus be in harmony with the divine
will?
20. Are there not moral as well as
physical impossibilities ? Can an in
nnitely perfect being do wrong2 Car
Infinite Wisdom err? Can goodness
injure d? Can truth lie ? Can love hate
81. Can man knowingly choose thai
which will make him miserable, rather
than that which will make him happy
%. Is not the oath of Jehovah, tina
"unto me every knee shall bow, ant
every tongue shall swear, surely shal
say in the Lord have 1 righteousness
and strength, )" certain of being fulfilled