The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21
THE UNIVERSALIST PHILOSO.
PLY OF SALVATION.

1t differs from the "Orthodox " be-
cause its premises are different. The
premises of Orthodoxy are, that man
kind are in lapsed condition.; and that
the lapse involves fearful and eternal
consequences. The business of religion,
according to this theory, is recovery of
the lapsed race, rescue of imperiled
souls. The motive-force Of religion, on
this theory, consists in the appreciation
ON the part of men of their loss and
danger. In proportion as they can be
made to see the situation and feel the
peril is religion vital and powerful.
The Universalist premises are, that
men are made to be saved-that is, to
do right and to be good; and that their
peace, present and eternal, depends on
their doing and being what they were
made for. According to this view, the
business of religion is to educate, guide,
inspire. Its motive-force is in the good
of the things it offers. AS in the edu-
cation of the intellect or in the im-
provement of the physical condition OF
men the dependence is on the obvious
advantage of intelligence and property,
so in the moral and religious culture of
mankind, the teacher and preacher de-
ponds on the fact that virtue and good
ness are obviously better than their op-
posites-are, in short, so much more
desirable than anything else, that they
are worth whatever it may cost to pos
sess them. On this theory, religion
will be quick and powerful to just the
degree in which men can be made to
see the real value and feel the need of
the benefits it confers.
Which of these theories is true? In
other words, which is accordant with
the facts2 On this point opinions differ;
nor can we undertake in this place to
settle the question. To the Univers-
alist the latter theory is the one sup
ported by all known facts and by all
reasonable probabilities. 1t can scarce
ly be doubted that it is the more scien-
tific of the two theories. 1t is in close
analogy with the principle of human
improvement in all other departments;
it has the sanction of the nature of
man; and it is the view of the case to
which the thinking part of the world is
steadily gravitating. The doctrine of
the Old Testament that the soul of man
thirsts for God; that there is no peace
to the wicked; that the Divine require
ment is for man to do justly and love
mercy and walk humbly with God; and
of the New Testament, that men are
the children of God and are required to
be perfect as He is perfect; that sin is
''death' and righteousness is "life;"
and that a Saviour and church and
ministry are divinely appointed means
of educating and perfecting the spirit
ual man, sustain the same position.
The tests to which these theories of
religion must submit are two: l. OF
critical analysis, both logical and spir-
itual. 3 OF practical experiment. APP
plying the first, it must be said of the
Orthodox theory that its motiye-force
is extraneous and ,nmOral. 1t expects
to influence the sinner by the consider
alton, chiefly, of his personal danger.
This is neither a moral nor Christian
motive. 1t is of the very essence of
salvation that the soul choose right
eousness because it prefers righteous