The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-19

lesson, you can but be grateful for the
new instructions brought out of the
words Of Christ and the sayings Of
apostles.
In his peroration he seldom fails of
so striking the key note as to bring
forth from the listeners the hearty
amen. Being man of culture and a
hard student, he lays before his
audience things new and old. He
stands before his congregation without
manuscript, nor seldom any notes; de-
livering the message, that, perhaps, has
been born through tribulation Of mind
and heart, becoming weighty, forcible
and truly eloquent. A frequent vein of
humor sparkles from the thought. He
is not apt to shoot over or under the
mark. He does not indulge in the
practice of the inexperienced sports
man who enters the woods and shoots
in every direction, expecting the game
to come down. He is wont to aim at
the mark and run for the goal, and
seldom misses them.
His subject on Thursday, April 26,
was "Spurgeon and the Baptist Union"
The past year has beensone Of tumult
in the Baptist ranks of London. Mr..
Spurgeon in pulpit and print has ac-
cused some of his brethren of being on
"the downward grade." because they
honestly felt to differ from him in
some religious matters. Because of
this difference, he Withdrew from the
Baptist Union. This course has made
him more conspicuous in the religious
world and subject Of criticism.
In his introduction DIR. Parker paid
just tributes of praise, without any
fulsome flattery, to the famous preach
er. His had been great work; really
he had builded grandly. His church
and college had been a wonderful sue
cess. If he had not sent out highly
cultured ministry, he had serviceable
one. From the time he came to Lon
don he had grown in a remarkable de-
gree. For years he seemed to be en-
larging his mantle of charity. But
latterly there has been manifest
change; perchance it has come through
the weakness of the flesh. At any rate
he has allowed himself to indulge in
caustic and sarcastic remarks against
those who have honestly differed from
him as to some theological theories.
The Doctor said he thought man
made sad mistake when he INDUCED
in the feeling, ''he had got it ALL" AS
he reads Christ, he discovers humility
to be one of his most striking charac-
teristics. So it should be with all his
professed disciples. The fool can scorn
and desplse, but the truly wise man
will speak encouragingly. 1t was
mistake when Mr.. Spurgeon said of
some ministers going abroad for their
health, "they would be well enough if
they were sound in the faith, and
would find the full measure of health
in staying at home and preaching the
Gospel" How does this accord with
his frequent visits to Mentone in these
latter years? The speaker says, sup
pose one comes to differ from you in
some religious matter, from honest
study and thought, what are you going
to do about it Turn cold shoulder
to him and cry him downp Would not
the Christian way be to treat him
kindly, saying to.him, "Now you study
that affair and pray over it and 1 think
you will get over your difficulty" Now
if the man has really made a mistake,
will he not be more likely to be reclaim
ed than If spurned and scoffed at
For one, he felt it would be fatal
mistake if men all thought alike.
In that dilemma where would be your
science, your philosophy and your
vital piety? What the world wants is
diversity in unity. Look at the sky
and the earth, is it not there? Look at
Christ and his chosen, is it not there
Look at any live, growing church, is it
not there Men are not machines and
were not made to run in same groove.
Only let them be baptised into the
spirit of Christ and then 60 on. and they
will go into more light and truth, and
will be able to say to brethren, "Come
up higher" The Doctor continues: II
have no sympathy with those who are
not willing, sincere and honest men
should speak their conviction"
Mr.. Parker does not believe in man
made creeds. These have done harm,
impeding the progress of the world.
He says, 81 would not sign one of my
own writing. Only follow the Master
and that is enough" When one con-
fesses he believes in Christ, bid him
welcome into the church. Oh do not
turn him away, because intellectually
he does not think just as you do.
have only limited at some points in
the lecture. 1t was a mastery produc-
tion. Mr.. Spurgeon and every other
minister ought to have heard it. Its
spirit was right, and the matter sug7