The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-10

"A writer IN the Christian Register
raises a note of warning for his Unitarian
brethren, who, he says, "are trying by
indirection to wheedle people into reli-
gion." He refers to the devices of one
sort and another adopted by the churches
'to interest people," under the delusion
that people interested iii something that
is got up by the church are interested in
the church. The Unity clubs are the par
ticular marks for this writer's criticism.
We do not know much about them, but
presume them to be akin to the clubs,
reading circles and other semi-literary
and seni-dramatic appendsges where
with it has been the fashion for some
years to lengthen out the borders of the
church vesture. Nearly every social in
stitution and custom, along with some
that are literary, artistic, dramatic, has
been adopted by some churches, with the
hope partly Of commencing religion to
the world, and partly OF rendering it easier
to keep step with both.
A4OW lhL SuCI a GLOCSaS VI COupEU-
mise can be carried without injury to re-
ligion is a nice question. 1t is apparent
upon the briefest reflection that it would
be easy to cross the line OF safety. Ii has
been noticed more than once that a church
has acquired character wholly foreign
to it's proper function. 1t has gone down
to the world without being able to bring
the world up. In our view this is the
gravest of blunders. A church is, first
of all, religious institution, charged
with the high busin ess of keeping before
human society, divine Ideals of life. To
lose the sense of that mission or the
quality of character on which its influence
to that end depends, is to vacate its Of
fee. There is, unquestionably, danger
here, to which the liberal churches are
peculiarly exposed.
In discoursing on conversation as
neglected art, the Christian Union, re-
peats in strikingly similar language the
thought we have more than once present
ed on the subject of public speaking.
Wendell Phillips is the best example of
the highest form of modern speaking; au
art which rises by natural climax out of
the conversational mood into lyric earn
estness and beauty" Our contemporary
further agrees with us in thinking that
this modern style is superior to the more
stately and ornate model which was for
merly affected. We have pleasure in
finding so discriminating critic in such
excellent company. When the writer
further says, that Carlyle, Ruskin, Ar
mold, Newman, and he might have added
Lowell, are an improvement in the mat
ter OF pure and idiomatic English on
Addison, Steele, johnson and Goldsmith,
he will be gratided to know that he has
the support of our own agreeing judg-
ment.
-The"organic union we hear so much
about is very little like that Of pl an
and very much like that OF the British
Empire. 1t is union by meRus Of ceI tain
formulas, rules, concessions, cOmpacts.
Its strength depends on the power to en-
force the terms; and that in the last re-
sort, depends on the agreement in
thought, feeling, purpose, among the
parties. So that if yOu we're to put all
the sects of Christians into one sect, uu-
der one polity and creed, the union would
amount to only so much as the actual
measure Of agreement among them in
opinion and aim. It would be organized
union, absolutely worthless unless it
were also the expression of a union exist
ing Rntecedent to organization. The
only Christian union worth a moments
discussion is that which ensues from
oneness Of idea, spirit, purpose. To Sc.
cure this "basis' Of union all Christians
should give heed to the injunction
Let this mind be in you which WAS also
in Christ Jesus"
DURING 1887 railroads in Michigan