The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM OVER
THE SEA.

the Christian religion, but its scientific
enemies as well. The author is one of
that class of English philosophical wri-
tiers, who, while capable of fully appre-
ciating the marvellous achievements of
modern science, and the trend of phil
osophical discussion, is not prepared to
accept the dictum of those scientists
who are composedly writing the epitaph
for Christianity, and resolving all things
of spiritual nature to the region of
moles and bats, as the outgrowth Of
superstition, and as the effete memori-
ais of less progressive age. Mr.. Lilly
points out with great clearness that the
marvellous progress of the positive sci
ences in the nineteenth century has
been attended with results which intro
duce new dogmatism into discussion,
which is hardly less offensive than
that which formerly reigned supreme
over religion, and led to such disas-
trous results. Recognizing the changes
which have come to pass amid this un-
questioned progress of science, and the
new environments which surround
the world almost on every hand, the
TRANSPORTATION of old questions in the
light Of new knowledge, and the revolu-
tionary character of modern thought,
Mr.. Lilly draws attention to this dog
matism of science, and uses the follow
ing language
zone result of our absorbing devo-
"tion to physical science, so abundantly
''recompensed, has been the growth of
"a new dogmatism, not less tyrannous
ethan any of its predecessors a dog
''matism which requires US to believe,
under pain of intellectual reprobation,
''that in cosmic dust and the laws of
movement is the last explanation of
''the universe at which we can arrive. !"
This scientific assumption, as Mr.. Lilly
further observes, "fnds no room in the
universe for Creative Energy or for
directive Intelligence. If God did
mot exist, or had been asleep for a
million years, it AYERS all things would
''be just the same Therefore the n.y.
''pothesis of Deity appears to it to be
'superfuous."
Against this teaching of a scientific
dogmatism, which politely bows God
out of the universe, and makes science
atheism, this able philosophical writer
utters protest. He finds in the the
ism of Christianity the highest express
sion, not only of religious sentiment,
but the only tenable ground on which
philosophy can stand. "We see at the
present day"-the quotation is from a
German thinker,-'th work OF nat
cure Investigated with the utmos5
'nicety. The Investigators have the
''minutest acquaintance with the intes-
'tines of intestinal worms, with the
parasites of parasites. But if some
lone comes and speaks of the kernel of
NATURE they will not listen; they
''even think it has nothing to do, with
"the matter, and go on sitting their
sthusks.n
Mr.. Lilly is not willing to remand
the world, and all the higher concerns
of humanity the aspirations, the
hopes, and sympathies, which find
alone in the idea of God. satisfaction
and est,-to the care of those scientific
dogmatists who would rule religion out
of the universe, while they are engaged
in the work of "sifting their husks." 1t
is not merely Theism which he finds
satisfactory to the human heart; GER
tain forms of the conception of absolute
Being "devoid of all affections, can
elicit" he observes, 'no devout aspira-
''tion, inspire no holy action" The
search for God must result in finding
God as Father, and this is only re-
vealed in the gospel of our Lord Jesus
ception of the Supreme Being as the
Creator, UphOlder, Governor and Sover-
eign Lord of the universe, England's
well-known philosophical writer sends
across the ocean this Christmas message
to America, which forms the conclusion
of his discussion of 1.-The Present Out
look for Christianity" paragraph
which may be wisely studied at this
Christmas season as another of the
myriad tributes which Christianity has
won from philosophical thinkers
Such is the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Surely we may ask, with
far more reason than the Hebrew poet,
"Who is so great God as our God? !"
And to what teacher of religion shall We
go if not TO him who could say, "neither
was guile found in his mouth" 81 speak
that which 1 have seen with my Father"
Who else has SO known the Absolute and
Eternal? Adopt any theory you will of
the date, origin, or composition of the
New Testament, and yet this incompara-
BILE figure OF the great Master remains,
undimmed by "the mists of falling
time" or by the dust of modern criticism.
Across the ages his message falls upon
our ears, amid the turmoil Of European
or American cities, as clearly as his