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

theology, is not more obvious than that
organized Universalism lags far behind
its promise and its possibilities. The
former fact begets a strong elation,
which cannot, however, wholly dissi-
pate the solemnity of the latter. Is
there any satisfying reason why our
church area should be so much more
limited than that of our faith ?
Sincere apologists for our confessedly
inferior status as an organism, deter
mined to show matters in their bright
est aspects, maintain that such sufficient
reasons exist. They allege that we
have been confronted with peculiarly
bitter and relentless opposition, which
has forced us into attitudes of contro-
versy, defrauded us of that sympathy
from the general Christian common
wealth which is prime stimulus to
religious action, and SO hedged us in
with prejudice that we could not fairly
bring our proclamation to bear upon the
masses of mankind. Or, on the other
hand, they intimate that the tenets we
cherish, are of quality SO fine, so I'M
worldly, so esoteric, as to appeal only to
superior natures, while they lack that
grip of severity, that terrorizing infu-
ence by which alone the grosser, that
is, the ordinary sorts of character can
be controlled.
Each of these claims has certain
manifest validity; but their range is
narrow, and they do not quite appease
the discomfort of enthusiasm. We are
still left to query, for instance, whether
a religion whose summary, as an exper-
fence in the soul, is love, passionate,
engrossing, TRANSFERRING love, is to be
nourished by making men tremble and
shrink with selfish fear. The earth
quake may be requisite to open the
prison doors, but the soft touch of the
angel hand will best lead the prisoners
forth. Besides, Universalism is by no
means shut up to tender pleadings and
rapturous prophecies; there is no men
ace more appalling than that couched
in its doctrine of retribution, an mex
orable destiny that awaits all the wick
ed. whose fire is not quenched, and
whose worm dieth not, which hath never
forgiveness till Juice is satisfied in
the spirits perfect psAification from ev-
cry defilement. There is a certain pur-
suing, haunting dreadfulness in this
law which is capable of exercising every
" kne check upon vicious tenden-
49, danger and alarm can exer-
se, and If Uniyersalisn has failed to
ilize this instrument of command,
fault is not in the principle, but in
kpreacher.
On the other hand, whether opp0si-
n is to be hindrance or help, de-
hds much upon the mettle Of the
primer, and the worth of his cause.
original and inspiring idea, such as
we have fondly taken Universalism to
be, should be capable of disarming hos
tility, and converting its enemies to
friends. Such, surely, was the process
by which the simple teachings of Jesus
overcame the formidable alliance of
Judaism and paganism; it was the nat
ural transcendency of truth over error,
of a philosophy that by intuition sensed
the deepest needs of our nature and
supplied them, over a corrupt and SUI
perficial system, built on ignorance,
and sustained by superstition, and by
strategy. Such also, and amid similar
conditions, was the power developed by
the Wesleyan movement. And we can
not easily convince ourselves that Uni
yersalism, which embodies the poten-
cies of both these propaganda, being
equally a return to ''the truth as it is
in Jesus" and an application and in
tensincation of the Wesleyan war-cry
of ssfree salvation" and the souls opea
access to God, ought not to have evolved
a force that should sweep the field or
ganically as well as spiritually.
The fact is, nevertheless, to be recog-
nized, that the major part of our de-
nominational life has been absorbed in
the elaboration of our theology and If
we have succeeded in accomplishing
this in less than a century, we have
done for our seed-thought in that brief
time, what all the scholastics from Au-
custine to Calvin scarcely achieved for
their intricate theory, in a period ten
fold longer. 1t was prodigious task,
executed under difficulties. 1t was also
indispensable, and will tell upon all our
future. Honor to those who toiled at
forge and anvil with heroic patience
and admirable skill, and the products of
whose labors are our priceless inherit
ance. But still the wonder recurs,
Why did not some of these catch fire
with their own gospel, and set the world
ablaze
Does it seem invidious thus to meas
ure the shortcomings of the past
Consider for a moment this problem
What ought Universalism to do for
man? Iraise the query here where its
dimensions may be felt, here in the
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