The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-28
MANUALS OF FAITH AND DUTY

MANUALS OF FAITH AND DUTY
The first of this series of books, The
Fatherhood of God" by Rev. John Cole
man Adams, ID. D., is having large sale.
Large numbers have been sold at the
recent Conventions. It can be ordered
directly Of us or of our Field Agents, who
will be constantly supplied with copies.
Ttcenty-fve cents will secure one of the
best, as well as cheapest books ever is
sued by our church. One of our leading
lsymen has ordered forty copies for dis
tribution.
The following notice is from the Uni
tartan:
This is the first of series of Manuals of
Faith and Duty" to be issued at intervals of
three or four months, by the Universalist
Publishing House boston and Chicago, for
the purpose of presenting in brief and popu-
lar form. the prominent teachings of the Uni.
versalist body. Other subjects already an
nounced to follow this in the series are
Jesus the Christ" Revelation" Retribu-
ton" 1.-THE Indwelling Christ" and Heaven
and Hell."
This seems to us a move in the right direc-
ton, and one which other branches of the
liberal church may well copy. 1t has been
the fashion in many quarters for some years
past, indeed ever since science came so prom
inently to occupy public attention, to decry
theology and philosophy as improbable epec-
ulation. The preparation of these manuals is
but one of many indications that there is a
reaction beginning, which is destined to put
each of these great subjects once more in it's
proper place, philosophy as the science of
sciences, and theology as the philosophy of
PHILOSOPHERS. When that reaction has bsen
consummated, we shall have less of loose
thinking and talking upon many fundamen-
tai questions.
Mr.. Adams treatment of his theme, in this
first manual, seems to us admirable for the
purpose intended. The subject chosen he
justly regards as not only central in Christi
anity, but as pre-eminently the basis of liber-
al theology. In his treatment of the subject
he traces briefly the evolution of the thought
of Gods Fatherhood through the Hebrew and
Christian Scriptures, and the early Christian
Fathers. its Transformations at the hands of ST.
Augustine, and the movement now everywhere
clearly discernable through Christendom away
from the Augustinian theology and back to
that of the first Christian centuries Having
found the source of the Divine Fatherhood
in Divine love, and its outcome in the Divine
image in man. it follows that the relation
must be eo-eXtensive with humanity. and
enduring as God. Every being endowed with
a soul, therein possesses the sign manualiofa
child of God. The bearings of this truth of
Gods Fatherhood upon the questions of hui
man depravity. the problem of evil, retribu-
ton, human sorrow, human conduct, and
human destiny are discussed in the last half
of the book. The manual ought to go into a
large number of Bible classes, and young
peoples religious classes. not only in the
Uniyersalist body, to which Mr.. Adams be-
longs, but in our own, as the basis of some
careful religious study. We would suggest
that new edition be supplied with brief,
but carefully formed list of easily accessible
books for collateral reading. For sale at the
Office Of THE UHIvERsALIsT. 1t can also be
obtained of our Field Agents.