St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-14
The Affirmations Of Univer-
salism Explained by FL
quent DR.. Vail.
How the Reverend Gentleman
Would Improve the Work
of All Churches.
Basis Upon Which the Uni
versalist Society Takes
Its Stand.
A Broad Interpretation Of the
Principles of Jesus
Christ.

"Affirmations of Universalism' was
the subject taken yesterday morning
by Rev. w. S. Vail for his discourse be-
fore the Universalist society in the
Grand opera house. He said:
Universalism in religion is the the
DRY that all men will be purified 1t has
been held by a varying number of
Christians for twenty centuries. 1t has
two fundamental claims: that human
nature has in ita gem of goodness that
no influence can destroy, and that this
germ Will be developed. while the bad
in human life Will be eliminated. 1t
claims that this is a conclusion from
ChrlStS teachings. Still, study of the
question will reveal the fact that in
passing through the centuries there
nave been many changes; that the the
DRY Is not in one age what it is in an
other; that i'll this as in other theories
there are transient phases cOlored by
local ideas which pass away; that only
the permanent can stand the test of
time and remain the same in all ages.
And we find for ages the theory held as
other theories, and based Oh YicariOus
atonement as commonly accepted sub
Stitutional Suffering-w which gave place
10 another idea in modern history that
made all sin appetite and confined
Sin and Suffering
to the flesh, doing away with all future
punishment by remOrse and conscience.
These phases of thought have paSse d
away and we now stand face to face
with the present time and the theory in
connection Herewith.
And having seen some of the things
that have been accepted: having seen
some Of the things that have been
abandoned, and having seen the ideas
OF germ of goodness perSisting, and
an influence from God keeping it alive,
turn now to the present. These ideas
remain unchanged, but how shall the
cOnsummation be reached? Evolution
IS the word that expresses the method.
This is not necessarily the fact of
physical evolution.
So in the Universalist church the
fundamental idea is the publication of
the entire body of humanity. To this end
there will be an evolution uplifting
mankind iii the ages until the whole
body shall be purified. 70 accomplish
this we must reaffirm the persistence of
the germ of goodness. We hold that
evidence OF eXiStenSe is seen in every
movement of men,
The fact next coming before US is our
tendency to reyersiOn to lower type,
Inc beautiful orange will degenerate
INTO the Wild and sour thing of the for
est. The strongest manhood will de-
generate into the animal man, and his
tastes and actions will amaze ANYBODY.
The battle is between the tendencies
that are upward and the tendencies
that are downward. The wrong use of
powers and appetites is sin. Every
passion, appetite and power properly
used brings happiness. That sums up
the whole matter. Frail as human nat
ure is the whole story is told in the
abuse of the appetencies and powers
that we have for our endowment. Pun
ishment is the natural result of our own
action, and follows laws such as
Fear and RemOrse.
Before remOrSe comes, fear keeps
men in constant state of agitation.
When the mind fully realizes its condi-
ton remOrSe begins. Punishment ceases
when the end is accomplished. The
end is the publication of The person. If.
as we assume. there exists the gem of
goodness, and, If, as we assume, punish
ment Is a consequence OF ali attempt at
reyerSlOn or wOTng use of our endOw-
ment, then 1t follows that if good is
stronger than evil. good will finally
overcome. That the world has risen
out of the terrible conditions of the
earliest ages, cast of their ideas, taken
higher Ideals and so improved. is evil
dence that good is stronger than evil.
This was the theory OF Christ and he
prOphecied victory for truth. There
fore comprehensive glance assures us
that good will finally triumph.
Theoretically the church is based on a
broad Interpretation of the principles of
Christ. 1t believes that this gem is
touched by the divine spirit, and from
that moment has an active tendency
that Will never rest until 1t wins the
battle. Practically it aims to realize
ideal manhood. 1t does not claim to
have reached an unusual success, but it
does claim that its product has never
been fully appreciated.
Two things l would change. l would
have an active influence, felt by all
around them. The business man who
is seen here by young men casts all in
huence that he does not appreciate. The
sword goes to him that can use it; and
when we fail to step aggresSiyely to the
front and do what we can, others will
enter into the fruits of our labor; the
result will be gathered by the active,
the brave and the viglant. And then
l wish l could impress upon you the
feeling that moral life is not battle
filled with sorrows, if we look at it in
the right way. IT the boy has a better
school, he does not pine for the one he
leaves. When the young wife finds the
new home filled with joys incredible,
she allows it to fill the place of the old.
The sailors. listening 10 a sWeeter song
than the sirens sang, passed the rocks
in safety. So, when We apprehend the
beauty OF holiness, and admire upright
ness of character, and our admiration
rises TO enthusiasm; it becomes in us a
gem growing TO maturity. power that
makes service JOY. And this enthusi-
aSm L would have in each life.