The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-23

thing to see men who are sound on per-
dition using arguments against the
evils of this world, which would quick
ly take the bottom out Of their perdi-
ton in the next. They put moral
dynamite under the saloon, that would
utterly demolish the DEVILS kingdom.
They see that this modern American
hell is utterly opposed to the doctrine
of human brotherhood, but they do not
see that that old he'll over the river is
just as much opposed. Never mind,
they will see it by and by and learn to
train the same guns on the one as they
do on the other. This large acceptance
of the doctrine of human brotherhood,
therefore, is making broad and sure
ground for the ultimate acceptance of
our faith.
But perh aps the most significant
thing in recent thought is its DISPOSE
ton to emphasize the universal sonship
of Christ and demand for every soul a
fair opportunity to realize that SON.
ship. Just now this movement takes
the form of future probation. 1t in
sists that every soul must know Christ
and have every opportunity of saliva
tion before he can experience damna-
ton; hence that multitude of souls
must come to this knowledge and have
this opportunity in the next life. But
in setting forth and advocating this
doctrine positions are taken that are
revolutionary. High ethical ground is
assumed concerning both God and man.
God does not damn man for his own
glory, nor for the sins of this life, nor
for those of any particular period of
time, but only when man utterly re-
fuses to be saved.
Man, too, has everlasting moral free
dom and accountability, and is con-
demned at last only for willful abuse
of that freedom, and that too under
the clearest Eight of the Gospel.
Christianity becomes really the abso-
Lutte religion. We are saved not by the
light of nature or Of conscience but by
the light of Jesus Christ. Hence,
Christ can be preached as the universal
Saviour in so much as his truth is to be
brought to the knowledge Of every soul
and only those lost who persistently
refuse to accept that truth. ALI fatal.
ity is taken out Of the thought Of
Deity and all magic out Of the process
of salvation, and men are saved by
moral means and in moral way.
All this and much more comes of
this movement toward accepting the
universal sonship Of Christ, demanding
as it were an absolutely universal appli
cation of the Gospel. That the move
ment is clearly, though indirectly, TO-
ward our faith everybody must see
however stoutly it may be denied
When men come to believe that the
Gospel is to be really preached to every
soul, it will not be long before they will
believe that it will be so preached, thai
every soul will receive it and be saved
thereby.
Every way, therercce, we see that the
grand trend of recent thought is to.
ward our faith. The under current OF
this thought is in our direction, what
ever may be the surface indications.
There is no rush toward our distinc-
tive doctrine-quite the contrary-but
there is steady movement toward &C.
cepting the fundamental postulates Of
our faith, which must eventually lead
to the acceptance of the faith itself.
We may, then, take courage and
work on in patience The world isn't
ours yet, but it is coming along slowly
our way. Recent thought is hopeful
Largely, it sees men as trees walk ing
yet, but it sees. We may study it
with interest and profit. In some par
ticulars it has much to teach us. The
new theology, in its moral as poets, is a
fine supplement to the old theology of
| Universalism.
"JESUS, LOVER OF my SOUL"