The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-21

ever tends to the bringing in of the
heavenly reign we endorse. Our peo-
pie need, more and more to be en-
Unused with this same spirit of conse-
Grated love. In this work of saving
souls our church is actively engaged.
1t would encourage all proper attempts
wherever they may originate or by
whomsoever they may be conducted.
And to this attempt at elevating hui
manity we utter hearty amen"
But what of the theology of these So
cieties? Is the explanation Of Script
ure such as we would approve? Are the
doctrines taught such as the Universe
list church teaches2 Are the presen-
tations of the Gospel such as we would
make in our own pulpits? This is no
insignificant question for us. 1t makes
all the difference between ours and the
orthodox church. We should know how
the christian Endeavor," as organ
izsd, stands upon this matter. We
uofo ACnu UuO AColNC hOuUCAohhP
Pledge with much pleasure. 1t fits
our church needs exactly, just as it fits
the needs of the whole Christian church.
But there is one phrase which we repu-
date. 1t reads: Trusting in the
Lord Jesus Christ for strength, 1 prom
Use. &. that will pray to him, and
read the Bible every day."
Now shall we pledge our Universal
list young people to pray to Jesus2
Shall we present him as the Deityp
We understand that our church re-
nounced that doctrine years ago. We
find no authority in the New Tesla
ment for praying to Jesus. On the
contrary Jesus constantly teaches us to
pray-not to him-but to God the
Father. Here, then, is doctrine in
direct opposition to Universalism. It
is wrong for US to have our young peo-
pie pledged to such doctrine. While
we believe in the divinity Of Christ we
do not believe in his deity. There is
another "Active Membership Pledge"
allowed which does not contain the Of
fensive phrase. But what we have
stated is given in the first form indicat-
ed for the pledge, and we believe is the
truest expression of the best thought
of the societies in this respect. To &C
cept the chief pledge of the Christian
Endeavor Societies one must accept
the deity of Jesus Christ. In the Oc-
casional sermon, the first point, as
stated by the preacher, Rev. DR.. Brooks,
of st. Louis, was every member of
the society must be affirmatively and
fully persuaded that all Scripture was
given by inspiration of God" Ofcourse
Universalists could accept that state
ment. We believe Scripture to be in
spired. But fancy our doctrine of in
spiration is quite different from the
theory of DIR. Brooks. He doubtless
meant that every member of the socie-
ty should believe in the Bible as pie
narily inspired volume. This Univer-
salists do not believe. His statement
is ambiguous. We dare affirm that his
elaboration of that thought was not
ambiguous. And we doubt not he set
forth the necessity of the common be-
lief in regard to the inspiration of the
Bible.
The second point of the discourse
was, 1.-THE society must hold fast to the
divinity of Jesus Christ as the actual
possessor of the incommunicable at
tributes of the eternal God" Is not
this very circumlocutory manner Of
saying that one must believe in Jesus
as one of the Godhead? 1t is blind
statement, but we believe the meaning
to be that Christ is God. If not that,
what?
Next, 1.-THE members of the Society
must hold fast to the doctrine of the
atonement." If one was listening to
an Evangelical" divine as he made
that remark what would be the mean
ing he would get from it? We have
but to learn of the common theories of
tonement-warlike, commercial, gov
ernmeptal-an we have our answer.
A sacrificial, substitutional atonement
was meant. With these three points
of this discourse before us setting forth
the doctrines of the Christian Endeavor
Societies can Universalists join them2
OF course they will gladly receive US,
but can we honestly give our allegiance?
We believe the teachings to be found
there are largely in opposition to our
faith. Would the Presbyterians, Bap-
fists, Congregationalists and others of
like beliefs join if there were the least
tendency to Universalism? We think
not. And it receives the support of
such people because it teaches ortho-
doxy. In the annual address, the
President says: "While each society
owes allegiance only to the local church
and denomination with which it is con-
nected, the idea, the movement, the So
ciety as a whole owes allegiance only
to evangelical Biblical Christianity. "
Does not this state the position? 1t
''owes allegiance only to evangelical
Biblical Christianity" 1t is not neces-