The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04
'THE SAFE SIDE"

salvation ;" it is not the result of an
it is matter of no uncer-
tainty whatever. On the contrary, it
depends on the infallible purpose of
Colon the intent of him with whom
there is no variableness nor shadow of
turning. How vain, therefore, is all
this talk that we often hear about 1.-THE
chances of salvation,' and the "awful
risk" of being finally lost; and how
foolish the boast so often INDUCED and
frequently expressed, of having ''two
chances Of salvation" as against the
lone chance" of Universalism as if
Universalism depended on any chance
at ALL
How utterly puerile is the plea for
believing in Partialism rather than Uni
versalism, on the ground of the PARTIAL
ist having two chances of salvation to
the Universalist's single chance; as if
belief were a mere matter of policy,
and not an effect of evidence. We must
believe that of which we have convinc-
ing proof. True, we may temporarily
refuse to entertain evidence, aud thus
keep ourselves from believing what,
with the proof considered, we would
believe; but we cannot truly believe a
given doctrine without proof. The
plea for believing in Partialism for the
sake of being on the safe side, is shall
low device of policy-a plea of expedi-
ency, not an appeal of truth. 1t is the
plea of policy as against principle. 1t
is plea for supplanting honest convic-
tion by device. 1t is the suggestion
of fear, not the voice Of love the coun-
sci Of selfish spirit, not that of the
divine spirit.
The safe side is the side of truth.
But this side must be chosen for the
sake of the truth itself, not chiefly for
the sake of the advantage to ourselves
that we expect to derive from the truth.
He whose faith is the result Of honest
conviction according to evidence, even
though his judgment may be at fault,
and his belief erroneous, is still really
on the side of truth, because he is ruled
by love for the truth, and the desire of
its attainment; and the benediction of
the God of truth will certainly rest
upon him. Therefore the honest Uni
versalist, though his doctrine may be
fallacy, is accepted of God before the
man who, from policy, subscribes to
Partialism for the sake of being on
the safe side, though even Partialism
may prove to be the truth.
In the ultimate answer of our soul to
God, the motive determines the judg
ment; and we are approved or con-
demned according to the purity or the
selfshness of the motives which deter
mine our choice of doctrines not &C
cording to the correctness or incorrect
ness of the doctrines themselves. In
the divine court, honesty is preferred
to policy, and conviction from sincere
consideration of the evidence goes be-
fore every expedient or device for plac-
ing ones self on the safe side, or for
putting ones self in condition for
winning in the end. The honest hereto
enters the kingdom of heaven before
the man who, with an eye on ''the main
chance" accepts orthodoxy through
either fear or cupidity, or through the
influence of both motives. This is just
as certain as is the fact that Gods
dominion is established in truth and
Justice. AS surely as God is truth it.
self, and justice itself, 80 surely are
pure motive and earnest endeavor al
ways accepted with him, whatever may
be the errors that attach to ones belief.
Moreover, that kind Of faith which
most commends itself as true belief,
must be the kind whose nature is to
promote honesty in motive and SINGER
ity of mind; and here we see the excel
lence of Universalism !; we know that
an honest conviction of the truth of
this doctrine naturally awakens the
love of God and man in the believers
brings into the action
Of his life the very spirit Of obedience
to all that in itself is holy and divine
so that the teaching of Christ, concern
ing the fulfillment of all the law in
love to God and man, is practically hon.
ored-honored by life of unassumed
good will in all the thought and in all
the action.
Universalism, itself, naturally tends
to the following of Christ by its tend
ency to awaken unselfish love in the
heart-love to God and love to man.
This tendency is not necessarily mani
tested, to be sure, in prescribed or
way, but it is realized in
reverence Of spirit toward God, in SYM
pathy of heart toward humanity, and
IN all those practical deeds which make
the believer medium for the imparta-
lion to others of the good in which his
own soul rejoices. This all is safe.
Nay, this is salvation itself. This is
safe for men now, because it is saliva
lion realized now. 1t will always be
safe for men, because it will always. be
the reality of salvation, here and here
after, and in all worlds, and all depart
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