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

contempt any person, however un-
worthy that person may be, is to MAIN
ones ability to help him be what he
ought to be. The basis of brotherhood
is the only effective basis of helpful
ness.
The brotherhood portion of our stew
ardship is of very great Importance to
the prosperity of the cause. Indeed,
our very life as a church depends upon
how we teach and practice mutual
helpfulness. We must not be mere
advocates wrangling for victory, but
Compassionate friends and teachers"
Here is where we touch the humani-
ties, in practical contact with
the complex modes of this great social
world. And this is point more inter-
esting, and of greater importance in
the mind Of this age, than theological
dogmatics. We will not prosper as a
church unless we devote ourselves to
the personal uplifting of human souls
by means of fraternal sympathy and
assistance. The doctrine of brother
hood is not sacred relic Of our church
to be defended from harm; but it is
the mental formula of duty which we
must never fail to practice. The per-
son or church that would do genuine
Christian service must come to all in
the character of brother. To inspire
men and women to nobler thinking and
desiring, and to lead them into right
doing, are impossible on the basis Of
the Pharisaic snobbery which moves a
man to thank God that he is not as
other men are. There must be true
manliness, rectitude of conscience and
warm heart, on the part of him who
would influence men to rise out of in
iquity He must dra,o them into right
eousness if he would hold them there.
To drive them, by threats of hell-fre or
otherwise, only vitiates their moral
sensibilities. Doing all things in the
spirit of love, when dealing with way
ward persons will reclaim them when
all else has failed. Open respect for
every person, approaching him as a
brother, is the only sure way to save
him-the sense of equality then en-
ables you to reach him with wholesome
influences. We must not forget that
every life is a sacred thing in which
God and somebody else have an abiding
interest. Every one is our brother,
and if any are sinful we should en-
deavor, by means of fraternal fellow
ship and sympathy, to draw them away
from the evil influences which beset
them.
Another talent which has been en-
trusted to the stewardship Of the Uni
versalist church is the doctrine Of the
final holiness and happiness of all
mankind" Out of this idea has come
our UNCONVENTIONAL name, and this
thought has made us heretics in the
eyes of the Christian world, so-called.
But to the defense of this truth more
than three-fourths of our past energy
has been devoted. Around this standard
we have rallied our forces, and on this
cornerstone we have built the citadel
of our strength. In this we have con-
sistently finished our faith. Our con-
clusion that all will ultimately attain
unto holiness is the natural and nee
essary outcome of Divine Fatherhood
and human brotherhood. We are, in
the completest sense, theists; in the
length and breadth of our sympathies
we are humanitarians; but more than
all else, we are Universalist Christians.
Our philosophy teaches that God is
immanent in every form and develop
ment of life; that, therefore, no matter
what hindrances may be projected
across the path of His procedure by un-
wise or wicked meE, he will ultimate
ly unite the universe of conscious ex-
istence in one grand symphony of low
ing obedience. And this is to the sor-
row-stricken and sin-burdened soul the
most welcome and most encouraging
message. This gospel we must preach
with convincing power to every crea-
ture. Such is the true function of our
church. For this work are the talents
we possess.
The growth of the church has ever
been the direct result of we'll planned,
earnest, persistent missionary labor.
All there is of us as a denomination is
the fruit of our missionary enterprise.
If we had done more and better mis-
sionary work in the past, we would be
a stronger, richer church to-day. And if
we expect to prosper in the future we
must see to it that our missionary OPP
portunities are wisely improved and
supported. 1t will not do to
say all the other churches are getting
so Liberal that there is no need of our
building up any new places. Grant that
they are becoming liberal-so much
the better for all concerned. Liberality
is not our exclusive privilege, nor
theirs it is quality which belongs to
mental development, and is bound to
appear in every human civilization
sooner or later, whether there be