The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-16

Here l take the ground that pure
Christianity embraces all the sides, all
the phases, all the characteristics have
mentioned, though somewhat modified
and chastened by their mutual relations
and harmonies. 1t includes all useful
forms, all correct sentiments, all pure
devotion, all sound moral principles,
all essential doctrines, and all gcdly
fear. And rs the grand foundation of
the whole, it rests upon the broad basis
OF universal and Individual love. God
is love. These are all combined in pure
Christianity. They make the sum total
of universal truth and goodness of Uni
versalism. Any one of these features
is only one of the features of the Cos
pei. 1t takes them all to make a full
round sun-the sun of righteousness
that shall enlighten and warm the world.
Gods system of truth and love is broad
enough for the whole universe. And
universal truth and love-Universal
ism-is the only plan which answers to
our highest ideal, the blazing mountain
summit which enlightens and warns
the world.
OF course, there are some things
which may, and should, and will be crit
icised, whenever they are seen or heard
in the pulpit; boorish manner, SLOW
emily dress, bad pronunciation, incor-
rect grammar, ignorant illusions to
science, art, literature, law, history,
etc. but these things seldom get into
the pulpit, in modern civilized society,
and when they do, they are not apt to
stay very long. The school-master is
abroad, and the graded school and col
lege are very common. So it is not
needed that this department of cur
subject shall receive more than this
passing allusion.
Yet it is quite possible that copgre-
cation may lack good manners, may
promise and not perform, may come
struggling in and disturb the prompt
} and serious worshipers, may fail to ap-
preciate their privileges, and SO catch
, up every 'bone of contention" and
whirl every "fire brand" of mischief.
This, too, is not a pleasant part of our
theme, it is one of the repulsions of
J which the world is quite too full, and
, so pass it by, with this vague hint of
what might be possible, if one were dis
posed to picture model congregation,
A and its reverse. I will not attempt to
do that work to-day.
The practical inference from this
: subject is, mo man should make him
) self standard for the world an infal-
r lible oracle-and let his arrows fly at
/, all who do not chance to agree with
! him, but each should endeavor to COM
prehend all the traits, and all the graces,
: of fully endowed Christian, and make
: charity the supreme rule of life." The
, photograph of your friend may be a
, front view, or a side view, or a back
view, and no two views will be just
r alike. A hundred men may view the
. city of London from hundred stand
: points, and no one mans view would
be recognized by any other man. Very
/ much so it is with the gospel of Christ,
t with the written or spoken word, with
s the men in the pulpit, and the people
Y in the pew. Each stands at different
i angle of vision, and each has personal,
: mental and moral bents of his own.
Q Hence come the attractions, and repul-
: sions, between the pulpit and the pew
o Yet all our interests and duties are the
!, same. We may use forms, because
+ they are useful. We may be sentiment
i tai, because refined sentiment is a
f blessing to the world. We may prac-
a tice devotion, because there is Divin-
J. ity who is worthy Of all reverence and
love. We may and must act out moral
principle, because we cannot be honest
p otherwise. We may adhere to the great,
q pure, essential doctrines of the gospel,
because they are true and right, and
q there are no teachings from any source
which can be compared with them.
: We may and should cherish a godly
!, fear, because of our just responsibility
to God. And above all, and as the
q basis of all, we may ever manifest that
love to each other and the world, which
God through the Saviour so constantly
manifests toward us. Thus shall we
all be Christians, indeed, the highest
of human attainments,- thus shall all
criticisms between pulpit and pew be
kindly affectionate, and do good, and
thus, and only thus, can we exhibit the
many traits of the one true character
before the world.
Says the Boston Traveller: "On
Tuesday, surrounded by their children,