The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-11
g Communication
HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH
TO THE CHURCHES"

Beloved, let me give you a short SER
mon on the words, "Owe no man any
thing" It shall be short and most like
ly Of little account, in which it will prove
both like and unlike many sermons long
suffering Christians have endured. But
you have one advantage, you can stop
when you get tired. 1t will not disturb
me in the least.
In a great city an eloquent preacher
has been clearing Off church debt Of
many thousands of dollars. How it re-
joiced my soul! What great and good
work. 1t speaks much in praise of the
church and more in praise of the pastor
How did he perform such miracle?
Three ways suggest themselves to me. By
his success in getting new members Of
generosity and means into his church.
BY begging of strangers, members and
members. By persuading those who
incurred the debt TO do their duty in pay
ing it. The first way reject, because OF
it's manifest INJUSTICE to its new members.
After one has joined himself to a cause,
he is under bonds to do his full share in
its support But if his head is clear he
will object to paying debts he did not
contract; and il wise he will not join a
church that is in debt. The second way
reject because it must be humiliating
to preacher to be beggsr. So con-
clude the pastor simply asked his people
to do their duty in the matter. We hear
much about church debts being paid in
these days of grace. and thereat we re-
joice. May the good work go on.
But church debit What is church?
An assembly OF believers. Believers in
what? In Christianity. What is Christ
ianity? The religion of Jesus, the Christ.
OF course you have heard OF the mort
gage Jesus had on his church, the church
he worshiped in for three years; and the
debt that the great Apostle neglected his
work among the Gentiles to "clear Off"
Never? Nor L. But let me assure you
Jesus occupied the grandest possible
cathedral. st. Peters is nothing in COM
parison. I have never seen st. Peters,
to be sure, but I have been in Christ's
cathedral great many times. It is
grand. 1t has splendid dome, for in
stance. You should see it when lighted
by heavens shining lamps. You should
gaze upon the magnificent pictures the
greatest of Artists sometimes hangs in
it's west windows for our delight. To be
sure the roof leaks bit sometimes, and
often were the locks of the Master wet
with the dews of night when he knelt
under its silvery chandelier to pray. But
it was paid for before ever he used it. He
never owed any man anything but love.
Now let me digress q little, as this
would not be real sermon without. It
is not usual for one to love very much
the man one owes, especially when dodg-
ing into alleys or around corners to es-
cape dun. How much affection think
you religious society can have for its
debtors, as it stands, fgurstively speak
ing, with rope around its neck, dread
ing the moment when the sheriff will
launch it into the eternity it processes to
have so much trust in. It is a fact that
the debtor is in some way and measure
the slave Of the creditor. Is this not also
true of church that is in debt, and beg
ging from those who, mayhsp, have all
they could do, by self. sacrifice and hard
uork ko ohov kho ooorad ANN ~, n ndroaot
"Owe no man anything but lover"
To resume. The real Christian should
be content to worship in Christ's church,
in log house, any where, so that he owes
no man for the privilege of his worship.
But if a society is able to own grand
cathedral all paid for, and yet worship in
duty. So, beloved, worship in your own
house whatever it may be, until you can
honestly pay for better, is the counsel
of the Spirit. Never fear. The Lord will
accept and bless your work just as we'll
from one house, as another. The Lord,
beloved, is reasonable being. He re-
quires of you only according to your
ability. Follow his will rather than the
fashion Of this world which pssseth
away.
Should my services be desired again,
please send notice care of this paper, and
when the Spirit moves it will be pleas
ure to respond. The congregation may
join in the hymn "Jesus paid it all; all
the debt owe." JOHN HAYNES.