The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-14
CINCINNATI LETTER.

the O6nG6nn1Al EXp06lLlOn are com pI6teQ.
They were dedicated with fitting services
on Saturday, March 81, in the presence of
large number of people. From present
indications the Exposition promises to be
gratifying success. There were CEN
tennial celebrations in all the schools of
Cincinnati, April 6, and the Pioneer As.
sociatlon held an interesting meetings,
April THE hundredth anniversary of
the first settlement of Ohio, at Marietta.
The Amusement Question
receives more attention in different
churches than formerly. At the Metho-
dist Ministers meeting recently, Dr.. j.
J. Reed read paper on "Sinful Amuse
ments." He asssiled the Methodist dis
cipline in reference to it's general prohi-
bition Of indulgence in amusements, and
took advanced grounds in favor of the
propriety and advisability of permitting
certain amusements In the church. Harm
less and beneficial amusements should,
he said, be given with the sanction and
under the auspices of the church. AS
the saloons and other evil resorts are
trying in every way 70 attract the I'M
wary, should not the church offer as
many counter attractions as possible,
consistent with its distinctive work?
With the increasing strains of modern
life. the people must have recreations,
and the church, in providing wholesome
entertainment, may be doing beneficent
deed.
"Reformatory Work in Prisons"
was the subject OF an interesting address
recently given by Rev. A. G. Byers, sec.
rotary of the Ohio boards of charities,
before the Woman's Charity Conference
He began by abiding to the fact that in
prison and reformatory institutions there
is great preponderance of males. Grim
inal character is mainly the outgrowth
OF circumstances; the result of ignorance,
idleness and homelessness. In abating
crime, women can do more than politi-
clans, especially among children and the
female sex. Twenty-Five per cent of the
children committed to the reformatory
institutions are absolutely incapable of
committing crime. Touching instances
of children incarcerated, as victims of
conspiracy, were given out of the speak
er's experience. He urged Christian
women to'take more interest in the lower
and criminal classes, and believed that
by sympathy and personal efforts, many
could be saved from the woes of life of
crime Last week heard
Rabbi Wise
make an interesting address in the Plum
street synagogue. The spacious and
unique edifice was well filed with attentive
worshippers. "Ehe world" he said, "never
goes backward. The drift of things is
onward and upward. Well is it for in
dividuals and religious bodies to keep
step with the onward march of the age.
To cling to the past is to be left behind,
to get out of sympathy with the present
generation and the present opportunity"
He advocated broad and generous
spirit, which allows to all their just
rights, and zealously labors to hasten the
dawn of better day. Such preaching
cannot fail of large and beneticent re-
suits.
The Universalist Quarterly,
under the able editorship of Rev. Rich
ard Eddy, d. D., deserves the generous
support of our ministers and laymen.
The April number, like it's predecessor,
has many excellent thoughts. Rev. q.
I. Cushman, ID. d., has an article upon
Catholic Universslism" which is deserv-
ing of careful attention. A conserva-
tive friend of liberal spirit, once declared
that some Universalist ministers are
more narrow and dogmatic than the bet
ter class of orthodox preachers. The
whole burden of their preaching seems
to be that all men are to be saved. Our
Distinguishing doctrine should, no doubt,
be preached, but Universalism is more
than dogma. 1t is a return to the pure
and reasonable teachings of Christ. 1t
accepts the generous faith of the Greek
Fathers instead OF the warm theology of
the Latins. 1t is an exponent of Christ
isnity in all its breadth and fulness. Our