The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12
RELIGION MORE THAN A SENTI-
MENTAL RECOGNITION.

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AS believers in Religion we are apt
to extol the religious sentiment and
frequently speak of it's historic signifi-
canoe, its beauty, its gracious harmony
with human nature, and its adaptation
to the highest wants of mankind. 1t is
beautiful, confessedly so, the senti-
ment which teaches that we are immor-
tai beings,-that we have destiny of
far-reaching grandeur and dignity; that
gives special significance to life and
ennobles all our highest activities. But
it is we'll to remember, religion rests
not with recognition of its own dignity
and Importance. It involves also
recognition of special duties which fol-
low in its train. 1t establishes rela-
lions that lift US up to God and that
would reach by its power of sanctifica-
ton all our hearts.
Religion considered as sentiment is
indeed a beautiful thing of itself, but
its beauty falls dead upon us unless We
receive its ministrations. 1t is in the
world and its instincts placed in our
hearts, for binding mankind together
in loving sympathy as children to our
Father and with himself.
Religion is not, again, solely in faith
or belief, as sometimes represented. 1t
is also in obedience and duty. 1t is,
according to one of its best definitions,
''life inspired by heavenly love-" The
principles Of love and duty cluster
around it and make it actively valuable
with reference to human life. 1t gives
us as foundation for its claims the CEN
trail truth of the divine existence. We
cannot overstate the value Of this, for
it is fundamental, all embracing, but
we need constantly to keep in mind
the fact in connection with its teach
ings. Witness the obligations which
belief in God imposes. Do we realize
these Do we always recognize what
is involved in them, or apply the
thought in practical way to our lives?
How few of us are living now as if
the truth of Gods existence was ver-
liable fact, one which has passed be-
yond controversy which is indisputa-
BILE and without doubt. Surely if we &C
cept this great fact of GOD we should &C
cept also it's corresponding and explicit
teaching, and so order our lives as to
bear the scrutiny of the All Seeing Eye.
The responsibilities and obligations
imposed by this sublime truth should
be accepted in their fullness, we should
live as if indeed there were God of
infinite holiness who demands holiness
in his children, who demands filial ale
glance, and that his children come into
loving relations with himself.
We profess, moreover, to be Christians
and accept the revelation of God in
Jesus Christ as the perfection and glory
of divine manhood. We are aglow with
the beauty of the life of Christ. We
confess that his teachings are of the
noblest order; that they are highest at
tainments of spiritual excellence; that
they are what the world needs and
that new blessing would come to all
who receive them.
So far this is we'll; but we are to re-
member that more than this recogni-
ton is required of us by the logical re-
suits of the revelation of God in Jesus
Christ. If we believe in Christ we are
required also to avail ourselves of his
teachings. We must needs recognize
the law of love which he revealed, ami
the sanctions of duty which he sought to
enforce on all his followers. We need
to remember this and to apply that
truth and make it the staff on which
we lean the strong reliance which will
never fail US, the inspiration of con-
duct and the source of all truest and
highest personal life. More than the
Christian acknowledgment is demand
ed more than the recognition of beauty
and grace in the revelation we have re-
ceived is required. The sentimental
belief in Christ is one thing the prac-
tical application of the truth is the
mora desirable and important thing.
Christ is revealed to us as "guide."
The question is, is he guiding us ? He
is Teacher" is he teaching us
He is a Saviour; is he saving us ?
Along the line of these questions run
the direct interrogations of the Gospel
as applied to the life and. conduct of