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

name. This influence we have been oblig-
ed to meet in our labor as society. The
so-called evangelical churches" even
without effort, can drift forward on the
stream of traditional religious thought,
while the more rationalistic parties are
obliged to take the oar, and only by ef-
fort, constant and unwearied, gain the
points they would. In these labors we
can feel the energy of the deep, under
| currents that move in the direction we
would 20, but that energy is compare
lively remote, while our immediate con-
tract must be with opposing influences.
These deeper energies of any one age,
however, have their sway in due time, and
in this conviction we find our encourage
ment, trusting in Whittier's line
1.-THE safe appeal of Truth, to time"
But notwithstanding these adverse con-
ditions and circumstances, our work has
prospered, I may say almost beyond pre-
cedent. doubt if our city chronicles in
ali its history larger growth within the
time limits of this enterprise, and certain
ly within the history of the denomination
with which this society is connected, your
record is exceptional. This church edi-
flee sprang up as if by magic, and the So
ciety, without the usual history of So
journing in halls and out-of-the-way
places, found itself well housed, almost
too soon, perhaps, for that substantial
consolidation which is generally achieved
by long and patient work with number
less tribulations. The people have gath
cred to this standard, majority of them
without the binding force of denomina-
tional traditions and old historical asso-
Citations, and as result there has been a
characteristic individualism apparent
which would be q necessary feature in
such an enterprise feature which must
be gradually merged in the larger type
as you create your history as a distinct
body. You have been growing into
unity as separate organization pro-
cess which Of necessity must proceed to
strong incorporation OF church into the
larger UNCONVENTIONAL compact with
which it is nominally connected. Even
under these circumstances I am glad to
recall that you have not forgotten your
obligations to the denomination at large,
but have aided by your gifts, the general
work of the church in common with older
churches and societies.
We are in possession of this commo-
dious and beautiful edifice, and in the
parish list are the names of upward of
$50 families and parts OF families, and in
the church membership list somewhat
more than $50 names appear.
can not pass this point without spec
ial comment. The impression has pre-
vailed in certain quarters that the meeting
here from Sabbath to Sabbath has been
that of virtual lecture association rather
than that of church; but there is no
phase of this associated life that shall 1
recall With more pleasure than the essen
tial religious devotion that has character
lied our efforts. did not urge at first the
organization of a distinctive church society
having in view the observance of the
| Christian ordinances and the more devout
mood which the church is usually suppos-
ed to foster. No step in that direction was
taken till the people began to ask for such
a compact. sought in your behalf, to de-
velop religious feeling that would call
for church. When the first step was
taken had the hope that perhaps fifty
people could be found who would unite
with church. To my glad surprise 1873
persons stood here in their places on that
day of our church recognition and united
in this fellowship. You decided to OBJ
serve the memorial of the Lords Supper
four times each year. That service has
never been omitted, and with only one
exception has it ever been observed with.
out the accession Of members to our fell
lowship. The exceptionally large num-
Der participating in the observance has
been notable feature in our history. 1
do not by this reference seek to make a
distinction between those who have and
those who have not seen fit to connect
themselves with the formal church. We
recognize the different moods and pref
erences and antecedents of people in their
religious experiences. recall this phase
of our history as indicating the devout
element which these services have sought
to quicken in the life of the people.
l can not at present refer more in de-
tail to our history. What has been done
has been done. wish now to say
word personal to myself. When I came
to Detroit, came from two years ser
vice in the capacity of president of our
college at Akron, and pastor of our church.
No sooner had settled here than 1 be-
gan to receive calls for a kind OF mission
airy work in the State-calls which 1
could not easily refuse. This outside
work has constantly increased on my
hands, and have found it more and
more difficult to cast it of. 1t has taken
me out of Detroit and away from my par
ish work here, am very well aware
too much for the accomplishment of GER
tain local results, but when 1 review
this work l am satisfied that for the
works sake made no mistake. We are
often called upon to decide, and while
you have had the first claim upon my
services, have endeavored to aid our
general cause whenever could. have