The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-23
Convention address.
UNIVERSALISM AS AFFECTED BY
RECENT THOUGHT. \
BY Rev. S. CRANE, d. D.
(Norwalk, o.

versaliSm affected by the recent move
ments in the religious thought of the
Christian world I? To do this we must
ascertain, 1st--What is Universalism ?
2d-What is Recent Thought? 3d--How
does this thought effect Universalism
First, then, what is Universalism? Only
a word upon this point seems neces-
sary in this presence. To make clear
the effect of recent thought upon Uni
versalism, it will only be necessary to
refresh our minds as to that which is
Univers alism; as to that which consti-
tutes Universalism as to that which
really is distinctively our ism" All
that we believe is by no means Univer-
salism. We hold much in common
with other Christians. Upon many
points in theology and religion we have
no new or distinctive thought. Indeed
upon one point only can we claim any
such thought. Upon human destiny
only is our thought distinctive. Our
views of what man is to be is really
the only thing that differentiates us
from other Christians.
Our doctrine of the ultimate NOR
al perfection of all mankind sepa-
rates us from other Christians, and
constitutes distinctive Universalism
Leave this doctrine out and we have
nothing absolutely distinctive about
our faith. Whatever else we may be-
lieve, this doctrine constitutes our ism,
the distinguishing tenet of our faith.
But this doctrine rests upon certain
postulates; upon certain affirmations'
1t does not stand alone, but is the
outcome of certain kind of reasoning
the conclusion drawn from given pre-
misses.
First it rests upon the universal i'm
mortality of man. Man is immortal
The human soul is spiritual and indis.
tructible. The race and every member
of the race is to live forever. This is
an absolutely necessary postulate Of
our faith. All men cannot be saved
cannot become morally perfect, unless
all men are immortal. All men are
not morally perfect in this world, there.
fore there must be another world in
which they will go on unto perfection
Universal salvation, therefore, neces
states the universal Immortality Of
man.
Second. Universalism rests on the
universal fatherhood of God. Itnot only
affirms the existence and unity of God
but his absolute paternity. So far as
the Godhead is concerned its one su-
preme doctrine is, that God is the
Father of all souls. Hence, his reign
and rule over all is that of Father
His government in every particular
always and everywhere, is paternal
Legalism or mere kingly rule is ex-
cluded from our thoughts. God has nc
law that outranks him, and his sover'
eighty never gets the better of his pa
ternity. But he is always and SUI
premely the Father, and in all he does
he is moved to do by his paternal love
for his children. His purposes, his mo-
tives, his objects are all paternal. His
one all controlling desire is to have his
children supremacy good and supreme
ly happy.
To this end, therefore, all his efforts
are directed. To perfect his moral off.
spring after his own image is the goal
toward which all his energies are di-
rected. Hence, he educates and trains
and Furnishes and disciplines as Faith.
or his children, that they may be "par.
takers of his holiness" Being the Faith
or of "the spirits of all flesh," he car
only govern and direct these spirits tC
this end; hence we hold that all these
spirits will at last reach this end and
become ''partakers of his holiness"
The third postulate of Universalism
is the universal brotherhood of man
God is the Father of all and so all mer
are brothers and belong to one and the
same family. Hence, there is an or
ganic unity to our race, so that if lone
member suffers every other member
suffers with it," There are no orphans
or outcasts, but all belong to one or.
ganic whole in such way that the wei.
fare of one is bound up in the welfare
of all, and the welfare of all in the well
fare of one. Consequently there is nc
going to heaven alone. We cannot cut
ourselves loose from our fellows and
stand off alone and take our fill of glory
while the rest of mankind are writing
in woe. The only way we can go to
heaven is to take our brother man with
us.
The perfection of one soul necessi-
tates the perfection of all souls, since
all souls belong to one family. II
there is joy in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, then heavens joy car
never be full until all sinners repent
The universal brotherhood of man
therefore, implying the organic unity OF
our race, is another fundamental postu-
late of our faith.
But fonrthly and finally Christian
Universalism rests on the universal