The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-23
NEEDED HELPS IN sUNDAY-sCHO0Ls
BY TEACHER (and good one-ED.)

The stability, perpetuity and safety of an
edifce greatly depend on the kind of material
entering into its foundation and the character
of the cement in which it is laid. The
quality and value of farm product almost
wholly depend on the care bestowed in select
ing the seed and in preparing the soil.
The logic of these facts is irresistibly
forced upon our consideration when contem-
plating the physical and intellectual develop
ment of the children and youth of our land.
In this Republic, wisdom and experience
have demonstrated that safety in perpetual
ing the principles on which it is founded,
depends upon the efficiency of the common
school system. Early training of the children
and youth, with eternal vigilance in inculca-
ton, are the palladium of our liberties.
Persistency in training the twig, determines
the incline of the maturer growth.
If these truths have any considerable
degree of force that can he made applicable
to the moral and religious development of
children and youth, then Universalists, in
the majesty of their right should be aroused
from their seeming lethargy, to take posses
sion of an inheritance that has long awaited
their legitimate occupancy.
The proof to establish the affirmative of
this proposition is found in the system
practiced for hundreds of years by the
Catholic church,-the very Gibraltar on
which its growth and perpetuity has depended,
and will depend for all time TO come. Catho-
lies say if they can have the training of
children up to the age of twelve, they are
safe against the influence of all other forms
of doctrine. They tell the truth; the children
are safe; not one in one hundred can ever be
moved from the deductions of the early
teaching they have received.
1t may be in some ones thought to say
that fear is the essential element used in
accomplishing this result, and is made eff
cacious by threatened penalties and anathe-
mas. This may be conceded, but the fact
remains uncontroverted of the permanent
impressibility of childhood's blossoming
hour; and that this is our vantage ground.
with our better religious ethics and sounder
Christian philosophy, equally with other
forms of religion.
The great and all-absorbing question of
the hour is, "What means can be employed
most effectively to accomplish that desire
which dominates in the heart and life of
every true Universalist," namely, the build
ing.up of our church and the spreading of
our faith in a degree commensurate with the
crying need of the world for the Universalist
Interpretation of Christianity? The fact is
acknowledged that we are winning but few
| individual accessions from other churches,
and a less number will come to us 10 the
future than has come in the past, for the
leaven is working in those organizations;
and until they are far enough advanced to be
willing to come bodily into our arms, little
additional strength to our church may be
hoped for in that direction.
Our accessions, too, from the larger portion
of the adult unchurched are positive weak
ness instead of giving us additional strength.
| They are mostly attracted through the false
idea that our church offers an asylum or
shield, and by virtue of declaration that
they are Uniyersslists, are entitled to immun-
ity from responsibility aud accountability,
and are guaranteed a happy hereafter,
regardless of the character of their lives,
always demanding that a Universalist sermon
shall be preached at their funerals.
In the meantime, 10 matter what obstacles
or hiudrances may impede our progress, our
advanced position must be maintained for
we are needed as the beacon light for all
seekers after the true faith; and to furnish
the keynote for the forward march of other
churches in their advance along the blazed
line of our pioneering toward comprehen-