The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-16

stand those odd, misshapen ideas that
music was device Of the evil one, and
not proper for divine worship, and
that comfort was sinful, and therefore
stoves should not be used in churches,
even in New England winter.
The liberal church to-day approves,
believe, of using all the reason we pos
sess. 1t finds it's strength in the intel
ligence of the people. 1t puts no bar
riers in the way of study and investiga-
tion. 1t is totally unlike the medieval
church in this respect, and unlike the
so. called orthodox churches, up to
very recent date. But we cannot say
the evangelical church of our day dis
courages study and thinking, since it
was within this church that the Chautau-
qua Club originated, an organization
that has done eminent service in en-
couraging study, and whose members
number to-day tens of thousands.
When we consider the matter fully, it
seems not less appropriate that church
should institute within itself a Literary
or Intellectual Study Society, than an
Aid Society, or Young Peoples Social
Circle.
In every church there are some peo-
pie who are not interested in fairs and
festivals, nori in the ordinary social gath
erings; yet estimable, even choice peo-
pie, who read and think, and would
prefer to meet their fellows on an intel
lectual basis. A society of some lit
erary or intellectual character would
enlist and unite these people, who 9TH
erwise might never have been drawn
out from the seclusion of their pews.
1t might draw to itself also some who
have long felt the need of some help
and encouragement in the way of study.
1t might, indeed, become valuable
educational power in the church.
There are some who will say, "Such
aid is entirely superfuous. The ser
mons we hear are sufficient intellectual
exercise" There is considerable force
in this statement.
Some one has said, that it is liberal
education to sit several years under the
preaching Of gifted man. This is no
exaggerated estimate. The intellectual
training it affords (aside from the spir-
itual growth is very great to one who
follows carefully, Sabbath after Sabbath,
the reasoning, the imagery, the allu-
sions, the motif, Gf I may borrow a
musical term), of able sermons, and he
who retains and assimilates all this, is
well educated, indeed. 1t is a noble
possibility, but unfortunately possibil-
tiles do not always become facts. There
is probably no place in the world where
so many pearls are cast before sluggish
intellects as in our churches.
A cushioned seat, the comfortable |
feeling of having to answer no ques-
tions, or even to look as though you
understOod kind of reaction from
the pressure of getting to church; the
consciousness that nobody around you
can possibly see your mental torpor
that you can even browse little if you
do not nod-these conditions do not |
promote intellectual effort. 1t is a |
standing joke that it is rather unsafe to |
ask your friend what was the text of |
the sermon he heard, while to ask him |
the leading ideas Of the sermon, proves
often so painful, that the question is
carefully avoided. l suppose, however,
one may get from sermon a good
deal of religious consolation, and good
deal of spiritual uplifting, even if he
did not fully comprehend what he had
heard-as one may be transfused with
the beauty of the forest he has wandered
through, though he has not scrutinized
single tree. Yet we all know there
has often been lost to us much benefit
out of good sermon, because our intel
lects were actually too little disciplined
to be able to receive it all, or perhaps
because nothing was required of us but
to comfortably listen.
We need that something be required
of us-mentally and spiritually
our latent powers may be developed.
The pulpit is marvellous engine of
power, yet it has it's limitations. Some
one has said Il have forgotten whom,
Emerson, l think that it is defect of
the pulpit, that it permits no talking
back" We of the pews are compelled to
listen in silence. We can ask no ques-
tions; demand no explanations, make
no refutations. In short, no talking
back" is allowed. 1t seems almost a
necessity that there should be some op-
pOrtunity for the listeners to have their |
say on many points which have arisen
in a sermon.
The conference meetings, in a meas
ure, fill this place-and ought really to |
become important centers of light, but |
conference meetings are usually con-
fined to theological subjects or religious
experiences, and do not reach some |
natures. Referring to conference meet |
ings brings to mind what is not en-
tirely foreign to our subject) those re-
markable Sunday afternoon meetings
of our New England forefathers. held !