The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02

race composes one family of brethren,
all alike dear to the Father; and that
the final result of the Divine procedure
in creation will be the universal tri-
umph of mankind in righteousness of
life. These three items constitute the
distinctive thought of our church.
These are the talents entrusted to cur
stewardship, and it is exp ected that we
properly care for them.
Yes, 1 am aware that our brethren
of the orthodox chu riches are drifting
steadily out into Universalism." But
if you will observe carefully you will
soon discover that all their instincts
and their positive church teachings are
opposed to going in our direction. 1t
is only because the tide of the times is
set that way and they cannot help it,
that they are coming toward us. They
have an affinity for the tide of religious
thought, perhaps, but none for US and
to the very last man they shrink from
being in any way counted of us. Their
theological systems are the direct con-
tradiction Of ours, and they do not yet
see fit to set them aside for more "a
tional faith. Their revival machinery
is as crude when applied to the real
religious needs Of this generation, as it
would be for man to tie crooked
stick to the horns of an OK and pillow
his farm with it. "Sam" Jones and the
Salvation Army" are honest represen-
tatives Of the orthodox theory of reli-
gion. Their missionary motive is a
Islander against God, and an insult to
the human race. Their belief in a
demon whose delight is to Destroy"
makes them gloomy pessimists as to
the worlds beauty and progress. On
the other hand, instead of despair and
damnation we teach hope and saliva
ton.
God, the Father of our great human
family, working in us all to achieve our
salvation from the sins and sorrows of
life-such is the faith we preach. Let
us see to it that the rays of our faith
are shot forth from well-organized Uni
versalist missionary centers, SO that
they may light up, if it be but for a day
in each year, every human heart in this
| growing commonwealth. We should
be SO earnest and diligent in propagat-
ing our religion that Universalism will
be understood by all to mean profound
moral faith in the Being and Father
hood of God; a helpful sympathy for all
our fellowmen; a personal knowledge
of the religious sentiment; a loyal CO.
operation With Jesus, the ambassador
of truth and messenger Of salvation to
all men. In order that this doctrine
may do its legitimate work in the in
tellectual and spiritual consciousness
OF this generation, we who believe it
must keep awake to the ever-changing
temper of social and political life, and
| always adapt our ministrations to the
prevailing needs of the world. We
must not be narrow and exclusive on
any point, butecxercise the largest free
dom in all things. Are we in error on
any point? Then by freely acknowledge
ing our mistake we will set whole
some example to our brethren of the
other churches. But if we are timid
about giving up an error for truth,
the world will loose confidence in us
and our prosperity will be hindered.
Unwavering devotion to the truth as
fast as the progressing spirit of life I'M
folds it, is an institutions surest safe
guard against decay. Let us reject
the flimsy excuse that "the prestige of
change will do mischief to the
cause. If there had been no change
in the past, very likely we and this uni
verse would still be atomic dust. Let
us dare to be honest, "dare to be true"
and so avoid by ''the prestige of change"
that worst species of dust theological
cobwebs.
On the other hand, we need the re-
hinder occasionally that no church full
fills its mission by being simply doc
trine factory. The church is properly
place of worship to strengthen the soul
so that it may graciously meet the du-
ties and responsibilities of life. 1t is
sacred resort where earnest souls may
find refuge for season from the worry
ing materialism of life, by thinking on
spiritual things. In the church, the
service of song and prayer and medita-
ton will dispel the surfeit of the weeks
grinding in the merciless mill of bust
ness competition. While gathered in
the church we should rise above the
selfishness of business, and of our re-
creations, and strive to help each other
to enter into the sacred meaning of the
Kingdom of God. The sanctuary of
worship has ever been the seat of di-
vinest wisdom and purest sp ritual life.
In the phrase of the saint of India, here
"carnality should be conquered and
spirituality cultivated" AS a church
we should constantly aim to touch
with righteousness some lonely ones,
and give encouragement to some dis