The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-24
EDITORIAL BRIEFS.
BY REV. 1. M. ATWOOD, D. D,
Canton, N. Y.

His death is in peculiar sense a personal
loss to us. Though separated most Of
the time by thousand miles of distance,
we were unusually near to each other in
the fellowship of the spirit Differing
widely in personality, in habits of mind,
in pursuit, we we're yet joined by strong
tie of reciprocal sentiments and feelings.
Mutual interests and aims, and common
labors, bring men somewhat closely to-
gether; but it is a subtle tie of spiritual
kinship that knits heart to heart in an
attachment which even death cannot
break.
DR. Ryder was in some respects an
ideal minister. He commanded the in
slant respect of all whom he met, and no
one ever knew him so long or so init
mately as to lose respect for him. He
was never petty: he had a balanced head;
he was discreet, without being in the
least timid or equivocel: he had religious
ympathies that allied him to all Chris
tian eommunions, yet no sturdier Uni
versalist lived; he had for associates
many of the wealthy and fashionable, and
became himself man of fortune, yet his
regard for man as man, for sincere and
humble Christian people, and for the sim
plicity that is in Christ, was never spoiled;
he was just man who yet walked by
faith.
Abundant testim onials have already
been offered, showing the esteem and af-
fection in which DR.. Ryder was held in
all parts of the denomination. He had
proved himself an exceedingly useful
man to the church. The position of re-
spect and honor now held by Universal
ism in the whole Northwest is largely the
result of tie ministry of Dr. Ryder in
Chicago, and of his personal character
His example in this respect should be at
once a guide and an incentive to the
young men in our ministry. High per-
sonal character, fidelity to every trust
catholic spirit, profound and sincere
Christian faith, elevate the profession,
exalt the cause, and lend luster even to
| great talents and unusual eloquence.
In brief paper in the March Uni
tartan ReUielC, DR.. F. Fl. Hedge raises
question which he does not quite answer
God, to an Independent Power? He finds
fsa-vast amount- evil 'whichsone select
to consider as the action of Deity, rs
willed by God of love; and, if not willed
then not properly attributable to God;
and if not attributable to God, then not
properly thing from which one should
pray to be delivered" We do instinct
lively so pray; but not "in our sanest
mood DIR. Hedge thinks. In that mood
we perceive that it is moral evil only
from which we should pray to be deliv-
cred.
This is not quite dualism and it is
not quite theism. 1t seems to need a lit
tie further development. We recall IA
nous passage in one of DR.. Hedges
books that may be used to interpret the
above EITHER there is no God, such as
we figure him, or there is no evil. Be-
lieving in God on the strength OF his
idea in my mind, independently of the
argument from nature, l say there is no
evil. Pain and suffering in abundance,
but no evil. For only that is really and
absolutely evil which is evil in its cause
and effect, in its origin and end; evil in
all its issues, evil forevermore. Nothing
IN Gods universe answers to that condi-
ton"
The dispatches say that an engineer
on the Missouri Pacific railroad, discov-
erinR in his train a freight car of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line, side
tracked the whole train and refused to
haul it further. The Brotherhood of En-
gineers are understood to agree in this
action as policy. 1t may be that the
Brotherhood is in the right in its wage
controversy with the c. B. & @. road.
But if any organization may order its
members TO do as that engineer did, and
If the law Is not able 10 reach and punish
him, then the Brotherhood should be
abolished by act of Congress.
Frederic Harrison, who has the re-
ligion of humanity under his special care
in the little province Of England, con-
fesses that his sect is not making much
headway; but he comforts himself and
the elect brethren who make up the CO.
terie of the English Society of Positivists
by the fact that Positivism is leaven,
working in the religious world at large,
and gradually transferring the religion
Of the nineteenth century from a super
natural to a scientific basis. This good
work, Mr.. Harrison thinks, is going on
quite rapidly; but, if we understand him,
in fashion not at all to his mind. The
scientific people are surrendermg super
naturalism fast enough; but when Mr..
Harrison opens the door of the inviting
temple of the religion of humanity and
bids them enter, they laugh him and his
temple to scOrn.
1t is a doubly hard task Mr.. Harrison
has undertaken. He is trying to elimin-
ate from human faith a content inseps-
rable from the very idea of religion; hav-
ing done this he proposes to make man
kind accept Postivism, not in lieu Of
religion, but RS religion. The believers
in religion will not, of course, take a very
kindly interest in the enterprise; and the
people who prefer science to religion will
regard it rs only an amiable sort OF luna
cy on the part OF Mr.. Harrison to ask
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