The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-18
Edtturial 8riets.
BY REV. l. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.


School of the New Theology, on "The
Fruits of Liberal Christianity" DR.. Liy-
ermore did not undertake to make com
plete list of the persons of liberal faith who
have been Influential in good works. bnt
it is really striking to note how large
proportion of the social educational phil
anthropic and reformatory movements of
recent times, from which the world has
benefited has either originated with or
been made potent by Liberal Christians.
If the Saviour's rule, "By their fruits
ye shall know them," be given large ap-
| phcatlon there are no persons III the
world who, as whole, can better afford
to stand the test
The appearance of the discourse re-
ferred to in pamphlet draws our atten-
ton to two points, D The long array Of
Unitarian names eminent in education,
literature and philanthrophy, whom no
| candid compiler would omit. (2) The
short list of Universalist names that
rewarded DR.. Livermore's search for
fruits" from our religious tree. Dr.
Livermore ie, we believe, one of the fair
est, as lie is one Of the most courteous, of
| liberal Christians; aud we are bound to
explain the conspicuous absence of Uni
versalists fruit from his exhibit by its
scarcity in the market. It may be- also,
that his more intimate acquaintance with
his own people enabled him to give
fulness to the display of their product
which could not be expected Of him in
relation to foreigners.
The pastor Of the new Old South
church, Boston, appears in the Septem-
Der number of the 4adorer ReUieac as a
! contributor His article is entitled "Ibe
Preacher as an Interpreter" The views
! presented are well enough; but they are
not striking nor profound and they
would require to be one or the other to
| justify the editor in giving them place in
such a dress. The article is a common
| place sort of sermon, written in a loose
semi-extempore style, strongly suggestive
of literary apprentice. 1t may be that
with the preacher behind it, meaning
and power would be disclosed But in
the uninspired type of the ReUielU it
shows as an ordinary homily with less
thaIsths- ordinary gFaees. .sssas.s--aa-e.ss.ssss
The editorial departments of the All-
dorer ReUtec are sustained with ample
ability. Learning, strength, calmness, can
dor characterize most of the work in these
departments. In the circumstances the
editors are thrown more or less on the
defensive, and q certain controversial
cast is given to the Rerietc. But :lis de-
| icate position is maintained with dignity
and good temper. The contributed arti
cles, however, are Of uneven quality, with
an average considerably below expecta.
tion. Hailing from an ancient and en-
inent seat Of sound learning, represent
ing the progressive party in an educated
church, and bearing the imprint Of ia
nous magazine publishers, the Reciqm
creates expectations which its coatFibut
ors do not quite fulfill
One Of our regular and careful read
ers is moved by a recent Brief" to ask
whether one can properly be called a
Christian who does not make an open
and public profession of discipleship?
Yes, we should say SO, unless ne dis
tinctly takes himself out of the category
OF Christians by denial or by processing
something else. Our point was, and is
that the church and its ministers have no
warrant in denying the Christian name
to persons born and bred in Christian
homes, worshiping in Christian churches
and in 30 way distinguished from those
called christians except in the matter
OF an "OPen profession" We hold to
the duty aud importance Of tie profes.
sion; but we think it a false and mis-
chievous usage which makes profession
the lest Of dlscipieship.
The sight Of paper published } an.
4, 1850, not only impresses one with what
is called progress but with other
changes that have come over the spirit
of this great republic. Gen. Washing
ton died on tho l4th of the preceding
month. Each House made an address
to President Adams on the subject and
the President made a formal reply to
each. The Presidents annual message
was then called the Pgesideuts Speech
The Senate amt Houss each made a
formal reply to the Presidents Speech
TO which he in turn made formal rejoin-
defs. Etiquette seems to have filled a
larger space in 1900 than in 1886. 4
pernsal Of some OF John Adams's public
addresses, as preserved IN the news
papers Of the day, reveals the fact that he
Was neither graceful nor peJspicuous
writer of English.
Mr.. Goodwin Smith thinks it con.
vincing to cite the effect Of Irish rule
in American cities as testimony against
the propriety Of an Irish Parliament and
Government for Ireland. But suppose
the cities are Irish and not American.
what objection to having Irish rule in
Irish cities? 1t might not be the best
rule for Americans or Englishmen, bpt
it would be none Of their business. In
cities where there are English or Scotch
they should have their fair share in the
rule; for the principle is Home" not
Irish rule. In this country We are will
ing "a give oar Irish fellow citizens their