The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-23

of live religion. 1t fears no light that
can be brought to bear upon it. AS Theo-
dore Parker well and finely said: "For
eighteen hundred years it has been in
the world to warn and encourage. Vio-
Ience and cunning, allies of sin, have
opposed it. Every weapon learning
could snatch from the arsenals of the
past, or science devise anew, or pride
and cruelty and wit could invent, have
been used to destroy it. But not a stone
has fallen from its heavenly arch not
loop-hole has been found where a shot
could enter. 1t shines perennial, like the
stars. None can outgrow it; none de-
stroy." The missionary spirit breathed
into it 10y the Master, and in which it be-
gan, has never faltered. In spite Of cor
ruptions and unspeakable impositions put
upon it, its march has been firmly on
ward, and at no period Of its history has
it moved with greater force than it is
moving to-day. The great false religions
that once dazzled or awed the world are
paralyzed. Their sun is set Ask for
their institutions; ask for their works.
The finger of history points to an un-
slightly collection of ruins. Ask for the
institutions of Christianity; ask for its
works. An answer comes from the four
winds OF heaven: They are where litera-
ture and art are; they are where science
is; they are where schools, seminaries and
colleges are; they are where commerce
goes; they are where progress sends its
soul stirring spirit over land and sea;
they are where charity and benevolence
do their work OF alienation; in d word,
they are everyW here! And in nuinstance
has Christianity given up the contest
with heathenism, savageism or depravity,
or retired and left the field to the original
possessor. The only impediment to its
rapid career has been, and now is, a per-
verse misconception of its true character.
Its we'll meaning friends have handi-
capped it with unreasonable dogmas.
The element of time, and ever increasing
intelligence, is certain to eliminate the
false dogma, and correct the misconcep-
ton. The promise of ultimate victory
when the kingdoms of this world shall
become the kingdom of cur Lord and
of his Christ Includes Unity of Faith;
One Lord; One Baptism; One God and
Father of all; who is above all, through
all, and in all" The problem is simple,
and the result is certain. From what
Christianity has accomplished during
comparatively few centuries, we are just
1fieG ii irferfing what ii will effect in
longer period. All we need to show is,
that here is Force producing certain
definite results during q certain period
of time; and of a character adapted to
produce indefinite similar results ia I'M
limited time If this be allowed, we can
safely assume-and by virtue, too, of its
soul properties and its animating spirit
that Christianity is the ultimate re-
Igion; that its Founder was what he
claimed to be; that both prophecy and
promise are sure, and that future ages
are certain to witness their realization.
As discussion goes forward, as the battle
between truth and falsehood, belief and
unbeiief, progresses, and enlightenment
spreads, it Is becoming more and more
evident that Being who has led for
eighteen centuries the moral and intel
leetual progress of humanity, may justly
claim a respect for his words which no
other being can demand, and that the
Son Of Man may well be the Son of
God that the Gestd Christi may we'll
be the GeSto Del! That this will be the
final verdict there is no well-founded
reason to doubt
We might properly pause here and in
quire for the secret of Christianity. 1t
will, be sufficient to call attention to
these facts: First, The historical success
of Christianity has not been due to any
form of material force. Second, # has
not been due to political power. Fer the
first three centuries it achieved its splen-
did triumphs in opposition to king craft
and state-craft, and won its first great
victory. In China it is hated by the
government, and impeded by every form
of opposition that cunning and malignity
can suggest. But, from the mission of
Reeci, III the sixteenth century to the
present time, it has steadily advanced
until it has reached the heart Of the en-
piro. THIRD, It's success has been due to
God in Hlstory-to God working in suc-
cessive forms Of development, as through
successive forms Of geological develop
ment, to the attainment of ultimate truth
in Morals and in Religion-to God work
ing in the soul of man to will and to do
Of his good pleasure" and finally, to God
working with and through instruments
which he has chosen to effect these ends;
the chief of which is, since the Master
assembled TO heaven, " The Church of the
living God, the Pillar and Ground of
Truth" For, OF him, and through him,
and to him are all things; to whom be
glory foreyer!"
Brethren, denominationally and iudi-
vidually, we belong to a Division of the
Grand Army of " the Church Of the living
God" The Divine Providence has placed
us on the " skirmisb line, " far in advance
of the main boly. But We are no longer
fighting in the wilderness, where every
inch of ground is familiar to the foe and