The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-18
Special Contributors.
SEARCH AND POSSESSION.
BY REV. A. G. BARRY, D. D.
lodi, Wis.,

1t would be we'll if Christians of
every sect and name were united in one
honest and frm purpose to lift the re-
ligiOn of Jesus into supreme authority
as practical and saving power. But
instead of being thus united, it would
seem that they are mainly intent upon
denominational success, and in putting
forward their creeds as essential things.
Christian character is largely made to
hinge upon belief, or upon the accept
ance of mere doctrinal propositions,
while the most valuable of all acquisi-
tiOns is crowded into the background,
and made of secondary Importance.
That which is most essential is a pure
and consecrated life. Not that right
views of God and duty and Immortality
are of no woTth-that faith, which is
belief and hope and trust all combined,
is Of no account. On the contrary, they
are to be given high place, be-
cause unhindered they gracjously affect
the heart, and set the eet upon upward
paths. But that which makes and
marks the Christian, is a life lived in
conformity with the religion of Christ,
and not mere belief or doctrinal know
ledge.
There is widely prevalent disposi-
tIon TO undervalue religion, to question
whether it is of imm sdiate present ad-
vantage, whether, taking hold upon all
our relations and dealing with all our
interests, it will help US in all the
undertakings and business Of the
earthly life.
The common idea is that when men
go out into the world to engage in bus
mess callings, to build a railroad OF
run one, to buy wheat OF produce of
any kind, to sell goods and merchan-
disc, to manufacture wares or imple-
ments for the market, to loan money,
to deal in stocks, to form syndicates for
certain purposes, they must leave relig-
ion at home; for if they take it with
them it will be in the way of good bar
gains and large profits. To say, there
fore, that the religion which Christ
taught and lived, this law of love deep
ly fixed in the heart, helps the more
certainly to secure the good things of
this world and to a greater enjoyment
of them-that it helps man in the
business affairs of life, in worldly un-
dertakings, i'll any lawful enterprise
helps him to achieve success, to make
money, to accomplish legitimate ends,
to assert this, and that the business
life ought to be controlled by the high
est law, is to be laughed at. What
has religion to do with business ?" it is
asked; just as though religion stands in
the way of the broadest expansion of
mind and the widest range of action;
so that man cannot be a religious
man, a deyout and devoted Chris
tian, and at the same time an enter
prising and successful business man.
We may learn what religion has to do
with business by considering who are
the foremost business men of our times
in comm ercial and financial circles
who stand the highest III the esteem
and confidence of the people the sol
id men are meant, whom panics cannot
shake down, and who have kept their
hands and cOnsciences clean. Just
look, thought, brief survey, will
convince the most skeptical that the
great mass of the men who move the
world, who conduct its affairs, who are
successful in business callings, men of
powerful intellectual grasp, far-seeing,
self-reliant, and of marked executive
ability and force, are such as have been
cultured in the school of Christ, and
whose controlling law has been that
enunciated in the Golden Rule. Sure
ly there need be no surprise that real
success is with honesty, uprightness,
and Christian fairness, since God and
his prOvidential interpretations are on
the side of these, and therefore the
good things Of this life shall of a GER
tainty be secured to those who have
sought first his truth and righteousness.
The law of Christ within the heart is
positive help to a man in that it
prompts to industry and love of useful
ness, secures confidence and credit,
fOrbids rash and hazardous specula-
tions aud extravagant style of living,
and at the same time gives the fullest