Telegram-herald., 1891-04-13
ADIEU OLD CHURCH



other thinkers around them; aud they
believed 50 intensely that they eonse-
Grated themselves 10 the erection OF
this structure, that there might DC one
church Ia Grand Rapids where God
should be sorshlped Without fear and
the brotherhood and destiny OF man
taught without limitations. And so, as
the result or their Independence OF
thoughts and OF their zeal this church
mas stood here for nearly = quarter OF
century. lie - simple truth 70 say that
this church has been by far the most
CONSPICUOUS factor Ia the movement 10
iiberallze religious sentiment IN this
community during the past quarter Of
q century. How far it has proved q
distinct influence IN that direction,
have no means of knowlng-for We
must remember that change IN relig-
lous sentiment IS the result, not of one,
but OF variety of causes. some OF
them entirely secular. let this We do
know. that it has wonderfully changed
that what were subjects OF sharp
Criticism from THIS pulpit when II MAS
erected, have been very greatly modi-
fed, some indeed having nearly disap-
peared or being now mentioned apoi-
ogeticaiiy. So true is this, that for me
il seems very much like threshing
straw 10 seriously combat the dogmas
OF total deprayity. original sin. vicar
ious sacrifice, personal devil and end
less punishments.
Broader Universalism.
Nor has this church bG contented
with such results. 1t has moved on.
The uniyersalsm for which II stands to-
day is of much broader type than that
for which II stood on its day OF dedica.
ton. Then, its chief support was found
IN Biblical proof-texts; now, while still
holding that it finds favor in the best
parts of the Bible, yet we contend that
the Bible itself is but one feature OF
those great processes at work IN nature
ana humanity by virtue OF which IL be.
comes evident, that the whole creation
is An indissol ublc mystery, and that 1t
moves steadily on and upward to un-
ceasingly larger and better results.
Thus our faith is more broadly ground.
ed in those universal forces that sweep
through creation, moulding all forms.
utilizing oil contingencies, taking up all
discords into a higher harmony, and
eliminating IN moral unity and order
AZ complete as physical nature reveals.
lf.for so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet Of God"
We may congratulate ourselves, also,
that not only has this church stood for
broad and broadening principles, but
that it has been managed III q generous
spirit toward other thinkers. No one
with q guarantee of respectability who
had message for the good of man or
woman, has been excluded from this
platform. 1t has been occupied by Ag-
nostics, Spiritualists. Equal Sutfragists,
Temperance Advocates, Social Reform
ers, Christian Scientists. We have not
forgotten that when it was dedicated to
God, 1t was also dedicated TO man; nor
has it been regarded as so sacred to
Gods service that human interests were
too trivial to be remembered. Had it
been so It's destruction from Heaven
were less calamity.
Nineteenth Century Church.
Not, indeed. so much as l now wish
has this pulpit dealt with vital and
practical questions In this community;
but we have tried to make it q church
of the nineteenth century rather of the
third or fifth. Perhaps those were good
enough centuries for their time and 1t
may be, held virtues that We may well
learn; but ours is now. This is our day
of salvation and damnation, and our
church poorly plays a part in it if 1t
does not proclaim Gods newest truth,
If il does not help men to 1--we better,
and make the next generation little
better for Its existence. Accordingly,
this pulpit has often spoken boldly out
upon social questions, moral and polit-
ical reforms. It's trumpet has given no
uncertain sound. 1t has criticised. re-
buked, entreated, suggested such reme-
dies rs seemed wise. Some-very few
may have been offended aad thought
that the minister ought TO have given
more attention 10 the Jews and antede.
luvians, but it has always seemed to me
that the pOstdeluvians ne eded more at
tention. Occasionally there may have
been mistakes IN the utterance, but
there has been no mistake in the pur-
pose TO rebuke SIN and error in high or
low places; and that shall be true so
long rs | stand in 1t.
At this altar where so many fond
memories cluster. over three hundred
children have been dedicated to the
Christian lifc-nost of these on our
grand festival days, known as chill
uren's Sundays; and many OF these have
been received into the church by the
right hand OF fellowship. Here, also.
those have stood who have publicly as
sumed the obligations of the Christian
life. Hi;her, also. have come the
bridal pairs when. IN the presence of
those who have wished them only JOY.
they have, IN all the warmth and
purity of mutual love. plighted their
troth, deemIng their VOWS all the more
sacred for the place where they were
b.eathed. And here we have gathered
around our dead, with that strange
mysterious look upon their faces, while
the sweet music OF the chant told of the
better land, and q voice from the Great
Book said: LET not your heart be
troubled"
Vacant Pews and Memories.
Among those whose faces have be-
come familiar in these seats and whose
greetings 80 pleasant IN these aisles,
now many have gone out from among
us-some, let us trust, ID find better
felIowships, others to the realization of
their immortal hope. OF the latter,
here sat and worshlpped such men as