The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-07

the outset, and not taken for granted
withoutpro or debate, that there is a
first probation, or that life in any strict
sense is probationary 1t seems impos-
sible that we should believe that i'm
mortal destiny is determined by the
character formed here, where life is so
short, uncertain, and full of inequali-
ties. 1t seems equally impossible that
we should believe that this same des-
tiny shall be determined by the results
OF longer or shorter period of trial in
the hereafter. This only do we find re-
vealed, that death is not the end.
that it is no bar to redemption
nor to the recovery of lost ground.
1t does not interfere, as an evil
force, to prevent the fulfllment of
unfulflled lives, nor to deprive of fur
ther opportunity; rather it places the
emancipated soul amid better surround
ings, and opens wider to it the gates of
hope and progress. In that world, of
which it is the doorway, life shall be
begun anew, and lost opportunities
shall be restored, and there shall come
time when there will be no defeat and
no sorrow any more.
1t is to be conceded indeed, there is
no denying it-that unfaithfulness in
the use OF time as season of opportu-
nifty, or neglect to improve the oppor-
tunities which the years bring with
them, shall result in what is the same
as loss of opportunity barren
ness OF life and the forfeiture of privi-
lege and place. This is what Christ
would teach by means of the parable
OF the barren fig tree. Its primary ref
erence is to the Jewish state or church,
while at the same time it has deeply
impressive lesson for all nations and
churches. And as these are composed
OF individuals, so the lesson addresses
itself with great force and solemnity to
the Individual conscience and heart.
Each one of us is like fig tree planted
in a garden, and our fruitfulness, or
unfruitfulness adds to, or takes from.
the fruitfulness of the state OF church
OF which we are members. Our place
may be in the pleasantest and sunniest
spot, and among flowers and spicy
shrubs; or it may be in some quiet out
of-the-way corner where the shadows
and the dews rest the longest. But
God does not inquire about our sur
roundings, or the outward circumstan-
ces OF our lives;-what he wants to
know is, whether the opportunities
which the seasons and the years have
brought to us have been faithfully i'm
proved-whether our responsibilities,
great or small, have been promptly met
and our several places well filed. If
not, we have not fulfilled the purpose
OF our planting, and therefore opportu-
nifty has been wasted upon us;-may
be it has been forfeited to us because
of our habitual neglect. The years
pass away, and each year at its close
finds our lives barren and improbable.
The lesson of the barren fig tree is
substantially repeated in the parable
of the unfaithfulssryant, by which we
are taught that the man who allows
himself to be blank in the world: who
suffers opportunities for culture and
growth, for doing good and getting
good, to pass by unimproved; who ha-
bitually neglects his privileges through
a lack of appreciation; who is mere
driftwood on the stream of time, or a
dead leaf floating amid the eddying
years, is guilty of sin and wrong before
God and has need to sayR 81 am no
more worthy to be called thy son!p'
And it is plain enough what shall be
the punishment of a man thus guilty.
1t shall consist of loss of opportunity,
the forfeiture of privilege, the depriva-
tion of gifts which have not been en-
ployed but buried in the ground. Thus,
indifference, procrastination, the nom
use of even one talent, are crimes under
the moral law, the penalties of which
are lost place, adwarfed life, and a soul
poor and wretched.
Now, in the beginning of a new
year, ought we not to ask what our
lives have been? Whether we have
been true men, or have lived solely for
self and selfish interests?- whether,
forgetting those things that are past.
and fixing our attention upon things
that are before US, we have pressed
toward the mark for the prize of eter-
nal life? Some of US, may be, have
been saying to ourselves year after
year, and are saying now: Next year
will turn over new leaf, will give
attention to neglected interests, will
give the heart to God and walk with
him always. Almost persuaded at
times to make Christian profession
and enter upon life of consecrated dis
cipleship, until now we have remained
undecided. And will we carry this in
decision, this lack of determined pur-
pose, this half-persuasion to be
Christian, through the year upon which
we have just entered? Will this be
right? Win it be wise? Ought NOR
tai being with life so short and death