The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-03


organized institution is the visible fold into
which the Lords followers are being brought.
All who sincerely and heartily accept the
Gospel of JESUS ought to be enrolled in his
his Church. The different churches may
be folds of the several communities or divis-
ions of the one Shepherds great flock. The
Universalist Church ought to include all of
our Lords followers who accept the Uni-
versalist faith as their Interpretation of the
religion of JESUS. The united Church, the
Church Universal, the Holy Catholic Church,
will include all souls who hear the Shepherds
voice and follow him to join the innumera-
Bile company of the redeemed. JESUS is
s'the Shepherd and Bishop of souls" and we
are not warranted in limiting bis authority
and influence to souls dwelling in the earth.
1.-THE Father loves me" he says, "because
lay down my life that may take it up again"
Again it is said, ut pleased the Father that
in him should all fullness DWELL that having
made peace through the blood of his cross,
by him to reconcile all things unto Himself;
by him, l say, whether they be things in
earth or things. in heaven" ITO this end
CHRIST died, and lived again, that he might
be Lord both of the dead and living" (Ro-
mans xiv 81. To be Lord of the dead and
living is equivalent to being Shepherd of the
souls of the living and the dead. 1t appears
that he had power from. the Father to lay
down his life, not only to testify his fidelity
to his work as the Saviour of men, but that
he might be successful in it, might take it
again and continue his care of the flock even
beyond death, and become the Shepherd and
Bishop of souls in both worlds.
The Good Shepherd describes his flock,
which he might well call ''little" (Luke xii.
32) at the time, however it might enlarge in
the future. They hear his voice; they follow
him; they flee from strangers; they shall
never perish, neither shall any one pluck
them out of the Fathers hand. The figure
suggests submission and obedience. These
are the conditions of safety, and yet the
safety is assured.
In fact, those only who hear the voice of
the Good Shepherd and follow him, belong
to his flock and are safe. This Is the dis
tinction of the Church in the world. Those
who heard JESUS and spiritually followed
him, composed his little flock" Those who
believed not were not of his sheep. Yet of
these, we cannot doubt were many who be-
came members of this flock. The flock be-
came visibly enlarged as the years, The CEN
turtles, the ages, rolled on. And the flock
grows with the publication and development
of Christian doctrine, and the elevation of
Christian life. To-day those who hear JESUS
and follow him are his flock. Those who be-
lieve not are not of his sheep. Yet of these
be many who shall yet enter the fold through
the Door, Of those who are not now of
the flock we cannot affirm Of any that they
will never enter it. Who shall limit the op-
portunity of the human soul? This survives
the flesh, with all that it symbolizes. Who
shall limit the might of GoD's love, and the
any one hesitates and would limit the possi-
bilities of admission to the earthly life, we
suggest that JESUS sheep are the souls, not
the bodies of men; and it would be as rea-
sonable to limit the flock to the earthly state
as the possibilities of entrance. JESUS is
Lord of all souls, though bodies fade and
crumble.-S. S. Helper, September. 1875.
This is a sublime prophecy OF the final re-
suit of the labors of the Son of Man. All are
to become united in one glorious Church, of
which JESUS CHRIST is the Shepherd and
knowledge him as their guide and ruler, even
as the shepherd is the guide of his flock.
Phil. ii. 10, IL. Such was the purpose for
which JESUS came into the world; to save all
men, even sinners, and convert them to GOD;
to put away all enmity from their hearts, and
to make them willing subjects to COP and to
righteousness. He has sufficient power to
perform the work assigned him, and he will
prosecute it to its final completion. Then,
and not before, will he resign his kingdom
and his power, and, with the children whom
GoD has given him, will become subject to
the Father and COP of all. John iv. IA;
/ Tim. i. Is; Heb. ii. TO; Cor. XIV. 24-2S.-
Poige's Commentary.
AS in the case of the marvellous work of
JESUS wrought upon the blind man, the Jews
we're again divided in their Judgment con-
corning his teachings. Many of them saidit
was but the rawlings of a mailman; others
said, "These are not the words of a demon;
can demon open the eyes of the blind?'