The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27


ming messenger, crosses not alone beau
tiful Iowa and our whole continent, but
old ocean as well, and in fact girdles
the earth, while its twin brother the tel
ephone, carries even our whispers to
distant friends
The slow laborious handling of the
sickle, scythe and fail, have been sup
planted by the reaping, threshing and
moving machines of wonderful inven-
ton, so that our farmers can to-day Gull
tivate farm of a thousand acres more
thoroughly and successfully than they
could one hundred acres fifty years ago
These great improvements in the
field of agriculture have, however, SIM
ply kept pace with the rapid strides
which mark the worlds progress in
the scientific, theological and educa-
tional spheres of life.
Fifty years ago the pulpit teachings
ran in very narrow grooves, and the
endless torments of future state were
used constantly to brighten trembling
sinners here below, in the fervent be-
lief that through such fears they might
become better men
1t impressed itself upon our youth
full mind that love was more potent
than fear, and that the beauties of the
better land were worthy the highest as
pirations of humanity, and that we
should follow the straight path, obey
the precepts Of the golden rule, be guided
by the sublime sermon upon the mount,
and thus strive toreach the radiant shore
rather than through fear hope to escape
the endless pit.
The same fatherly care bestowed by
the Omnipotent upon the sparrow hav-
ing been vouchsafed humanity, we came
to believe that in the great day the
Heavenly Father will, ''as father pit
ieth his children" look with compass
sion upon his children.
| The inspired Word, like the beauties
of the forest and the field, teaches that
nothing really dies, and we have abid-
ing faith that it is not all of life to live
but that glad and endless reunion
awaits US on the limitless shores of
eternity.
AS we reflected that while good deeds
gladden. and inspire the heart 80 in like
ratio bad deeds depressed and deadened
the better sensibilities, we came to be-
lieve that life here was the camping
and preparatory ground to fairer worlds
beyond, and that the measure of reward
and punishment was melted out here as
well as there--life being largely bright or
clouded, as we by our daily department
choose to make it, and the ultimate
crown will be given over there regard
less Of creed, as beyond the great cur
rent of the great river, there are no de-
nominational creeds in heaven. Guided
by these self-evident bright and inspir-
ing truths, the world around us pre-
sents cheerful aspect-we are the bet
ter prepared to meet life's varied duties
and find ourselves, under the teachings
we have mentioned, not afraid to live
nor afraid to die.
Nothing was created in vain-the evil
is immortal, and while no one may hope
to escape the penalties of transgression
yet that the human race will ultimately
enjoy universal salvation, is as clear to
my mind as the stars in heaven and
the world is coming to believe this,
and as the wheels of time revolve, man.
kind is becoming more broad, liberal
and generous.
In educational matters, no State in
the Union stands, all things considered,
higher than Iowa, whose schools are
justly pronounced model halls of learn
ing, and maintained as they are by an
annual expenditure Of over five million
dollars, we may rest assured the COM
ing generation will maintain, when they
come upon the stage of action, the same
proud reputation for our progressive
State she now SO universally and so
justly enjoys.
While, however, Iowa from an agri-
cultural, educational and moral stand
point occupies conspicuous position on
the roll of States, her grand and patri-
otto war record challenges the worlds
admiration.
When the national life was imperiled
Iowa, though without soldiers, money
or credit, sent as many men to the front
to put down the rebellion as the State
had population when admitted to the
union, and our brave boys in blue par
ticipated in nearly every battle from
Wilson's Creek down to the surrender
of Lee at Appomattox, and many, alasl
sealed their devotion to the national
flag with their lives.
The patriotic people Of Iowa cherish
the heroic deeds Of her soldiers, and
will ever hold their brave achievements
in deep and sacred remembrance nor
will they without proper and vigorous
protest submit to the vetoing of pen
sions, which Congress may grant our
deserving heroes, by any one briefly
clothed with authority.
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