The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12


does not teach that he will finally over
come all evil with gOOd-has fatal de-
feet; for it cannot emphasize the truth of
the divine goodness. Tbeism is impreg
nable in its defenses only when it de-
clares an idea of God that makes sure
that evil is a transient incident and
good alone eternal in his universe.
When the skeptic points to the degra-
dation which sin brings into the world,
to the inequalities and all the physical
and spiritual miseries of life, and asks
how they can be reconciled with belief
in Being of infinite goodness who has
also infinite wisdom and power for the
ordering of all destinies,-the answer
that can satisfy will be no theory of
wretched souls swept into the abyss of
annihilation, or hopelessly eDgulfed in
a ship wrecked eternity ; but will rather
be that vision of final results when, in
the eternity beyond,-the transient
evil having done its work of trial and
discipline, whole family of man,
born into the freedom and JOY of god
likeness,-the freedom of truth and
holiness and loving service,-shall de-
clare the omnipotence of goodness and
vindicate Gods ways.
Universalism is good for the encour-
agement of him who is working for the
welfare of his fellow-men. If death
takes away the one he is seeking to
save just as the hardened heart has
been touched and is ready to respond to
better influences, Universalism tells
him that the work has not been wasted
that no faithful effort for human well
fare can ever be in vain that the work
just begun here can be carried forward
in eternity that no moral force is ever
wasted that all the forces of the moral
universe are on his side and the Inf
mite ePhilanthropisti is working with him.
Then Universalism is good for the in
spiration of philanthropic effort. Its
teaching that there is more good than
evil in man, its faith in human possi-
bilities, and its emphasis upon the idea
of human brotherhood, are well calcu-
lated to inspire greater love for man
and desire for his well-being, a stronger
opposition to the evils that oppress and
degrade men, and greater zeal for re-
form and all other methods for promot-.
ing the we1I-be11g of man. And that
Universalism is good for such inspira-
tiOn is amply proved in the work of the
reformers and other workers for human
good who have been in sympathy with
its ideas and worked in its spirit.
Universalism is good for comforting
the mourner. No other theory of the
divine government and final results is
so truly Gospel of Consolation. 1t
sees blessed meaning in those words
of Christ; BLESSED are they that
mourn for they shall be comforted."
1t can speak those words, without res
ervation, to all the mourning circles of
earth. For it bids us look with hope
even upon the one most deeply shad-
owed in sins eclipse,-in the faith that
there shall come time when, the fires
of Gods love having purified that soul,
it shall attain the blessedness which
God designs for all. 1t is faith in the
divine purposes and human destiny
that can transmute the tears of mourn
ing love into the rainbow Of an unfal-
tering hope; and by every open grave,
into every mourning circle, speak its
words of hope, its assurance of the
never-failing love of God, the reunion
of souls beyond the grave, and the final
blessedness of man. And amid all the
burdens and trials of life this faith in
the divine goodness and the divine pur-
pose that underlies all of life's vicissi-
tude is good for our comfort, and pa
tience and hope.
Then if it is true, as Paul says, that
"the goodness of God leadeth to repent
ance;" if I'VE love him because he
first loved us, then certainly, the
faith of Universalism as to the divine
character, purposes and methods with
humanity is better than any opposing
views for inspiring men with that rev.
erence, gratitude, love and trust which
are so essential to the truest piety and
the purest worship. If it is true that
the higher conception of God inspires
the nobler ideal of duty, if we awaken
the better impulses in man in proper
tiOn as we go to him with faith in his
better nature, then, surely, Universal
ism must be good for its ideals of duty
and its power to kindle the diviner life
in man. As the doctrine of exclusive
salvation has been the source of perse-
cutiOn, 50 the broader idea of salvation
must be good as the source of a larger
tOleratiOn and charity.
So far as 1.-The terror of the Lord
can persuade men, "-Universalism is
useful as a warning to the transgressor.
1t is but shallow fancy that in the
divine government no penalty can have
terror unless it be an endless penalty,
for in human governments prisons have
terror for eyil-dOers though every SEN