The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09
Editorial 8rtets.
BY REV. I. NJ. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.

hOOaS e tudH III d sumner aud- winter
school like DIR. Pattison's 1t is curious
to note that we have, on the one hand. a
clamOr for a shorter, more practical and
popular course Of instruction for the
ministry; and on tic other, The criticism
that our semnaries turn out half-educat-
ed men, without thorough scholarship
or sufficient mental discipline.
But if either party could have its
way great harm would be done. To COM
pei every man to enter the ministry only
through protracted course of scholastic
discipline would be to spoil some Of the
best minister material by squeezing the
enthusiasm out Of it, On the other hand,
to rush men into the ministry through
the railroad method Of Mr.. Moody, would
be to convert a great profession, dignifed
by an illustrious line of scholars and
saved from impotence and reproach by
the solid mental requirements Of its rep
resentatives, into swarm of religious
charlatans. Society suffers enough from
self-made qUacks: it is unnecessary to
establish schools for their manufacture.
Some more range might profitably be
given, we think, to the topics discussed in
our General and State Conventions. It
seems to us, for example, that the discus
sions arranged too often revolve around
some relation of Universalism. We
recall that in five different Conventions
of a single year the great mass meeting
of the occasion was centered on triplet
of propositions in each of which "Uni-
versalism was the principal word. This
strikes us as somewhat too much of q
good thing. For the grand word and
idea, UniveTsalism, let us more frequent
ly substitute the not less grand name
and thing, the Gospel. We certainly are
none the less Christians because we are
Univerealists.
But we could not quite second our
friend Blanchard's motion, to have the
Convention turn its attention, almost ex-
elusively, to secular, social, economic ana
scientific subjects. Most of Us know
quite as much about our own business as
about any other, and eould discuss some
phase of it more inteiligently and there
fore more proEtably Not that any
dpptjcatj0H of religion to life, domestis
or public, should escape us; but chat We
are set to care for q special interest, amid
the multitude of human interests, ana
cur training fits us to do that we'll; while
We could al best do the other things but
inditForeutly
If the Teproofs and exbortations could
only come to the ears they are meant for!
But very large part Of that Influence
which might be ezerted by means Of a
timely word, is lost. The word is spoken,
the advice is repeated, the admonition is
formulated, but not to the party who
ought to hear it. Sometimes, as in church,
it is the fault of the party himself, who Is
not where he should be; quite as often it
is the fault of the would-be adviser. He
shuns 10 declare his counsel to him who
most needs it. Probably some harm
would be done by frankly speaking to
the offender; but more would be pre-
vented. If all around there we're more
frankness and faithfulness, it would be
better all around.
DR., Lyman Abbott thinks that the
doctrine that Jesus Christ may be
preached in another life to those who
have never heard of him in this, has no
remote kinship to the doctrine that Jesus
Christ will certainly etfectually save all
men in another life, whether they have
rejected him in this or no." He is pretty
much alone in this opinion Joseph Cook
remarked some years ago that it is the
chin end OF the wedge, the thick end of
which is Universalism." This is the view
taken by the CougregatioRoljSt and Ad
ralce, 1t is the view of DIR. Alden and
DR.. Webb and the orthodox doctors gem
orally. 1t seems so to those outside
the Baptiets, Methodiste, Presbyterians.
That Is the way il looks to the Univers-
alists. Dr.. Abbott is not well supported
in his opinion.
But the question whether this New
Orthodoxy has any kinship with Univers-
alism or not is unimportant The only
question worth considering is, whether it
has kinsnip with truth. Let our New De-
parture Congregational brethren bravely
commit themselves to the truth, and
| fear not. The truth will take care of them.
| If it is not true that Christ not only may
but will be preached in another life to
every one who did not hear Of him in this
life, it certainly ought to be true Fear
of Teproach, fear of lICurTIug the Odlum
of having come from Nazareth, is the
poorest possible Preparation for apostle
ship III any new dlspeusatiOn
-Univeisaiistsm may iealu from the care
taken by the CHRISTIAN Uujou, aud bv
all other eXpoueuts Of New Orthodoxy
TO keep "a wide and deep abyss between
their position and UuivereaHsns, that
they srs uo, likely ever 10 promote
uniyerralism OF build up UuyeIsahst
churches and institutions 10y going to
orthodox churches, sending to orthodox
schools and Patfouizug orthodox publ
cations. We shall have to take care Of
ourselves and guard md support our own
interests, When UuiyersaIist goesiuto
/ a Congregational church, no matter how
/ Liberal It pruclaims Itself, ue counts one
/ for orthodoxy and two against Universal
ism. This is mathematics: Il is also his
tory.