The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-18

UNIVERSAL RELIGION
1t Is a Possibility, Says Rev.
Dr.. MCGOWAN, of
Greenvi1le.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Religious Views of All Men Divided
Into Four General
Principles.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Possibility of a Universal Religion"
was the subject of the sermon preached.
last evening in the Linden Avenue M. e
Church by the Rev. w. S. MCGOWAN, Pm.
D., d. D. He said:--
Men hare long dreamed of a perfect
system Of government. IN which all evils
and abuses should either be rsmedied or
improved. This was the thought of Plato's
ideal republic. Bat to tho practical
mind, this Is &C impossibility when we
consider the presence of ambition. in
trigue and selfishness in every system Of
governmental policy. nvestlIating
minds look for u TINT when, through
the achievements OF scteuce aud The
general diffusion OF knowledge all
Ignorance will be removed and mysteries
solved. But whatever attachments may
be made, in the triumph OF mind over
matter, there will be still diff erences OF
opihion. and much yet to be discovere d.
Some look forward to the institution OF
q perfect social system. In which the
curse Of caste, the oppression of the poor
AID ill assorted marriage, with their at
tendnnt evils. will be removed or RENE
died. But as long as human nature re-
mains as IL is aud until the Millennium
comes, such evils will exist aud society
repeat itself in much botn OF happiness
aud misery.
A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.
"We turn our aGtenLiou 10 Tue religious
world, and here, la spite OF creed.
bigotry and divisions, there Is a more
hopeful outlook, q bright prospect of a
simple, universal religion. not in name,
form of government or ceremonies. but
upon Fundamental principles of faith and
a broad, fraternai spirit. No denomina-
tiouai form Of Christianity can hope to
be the ultimate universal G hurch. Each
has Its difficulties. and no one organiza-
tiun car lake this mighty problem and
work IN its grip. But all are broadening
out III spirit, faith aud practice. The
Church of the twentieth century will be
one as never before In cardinal doctrines
and co.operatiop.N
.sIhe possibility of q universal religion
is not so difficult, wnen we consider That
mid the struggles OF men 20 reach after
the spiritual. God has interpps ID aud
met the necessities OF the case, tnat the
truly religious Impressions OF all ulen are
the work Of the same Diylue Spirit which
eplighteneth every mai; tnat time. edu-
cation aud more cunstauL Interchange OF
Thought Will lead all nien who love
righteousness and~truth to ore simple
spiritual faith.
SIGNS OF THE TINE.
AAA tuckS 3kO 5ISdS VI SAS tthCo w
sus5 Hin this statement. 1t is seen in the
spirit OF the Present day. III which mere
non essentials are being laid aside ana a
unlou of efforts effected on the cardinal
doctrines of the Gospel Churches are
coming together, combining against q
cornmon enemy, missionary workers of
the different denominations are uniting
their efforts for more effective work.
1.-The last week at the Worlds Fair at
Chicago, a procession, III which all the
religions of the world Were represented,
marked the oDeuIng of the Worlds
Parliament of Reilgions. 1t was
a procession thai had a
world of meaning in it and
that would have been impossible not
Gentle aud CaIhoIic marched with Pro-
testant. The religious beIlefs OF India,
of China and Japan were represented as
well as those OF the English speaking
nHtions. All attired in their. priestly robes
or insignia OF office, III Leace and fellow
ship marched tn the platform, while the
audieuce rose and cheered. ALI present
joiued In the Doxology aud were led by
Cardinal Gibbons iu repeating the Lords
Prayer. Christianity IL in every way
qualified, aud Is destined eve ntualiy. to
become the worlds religion. 1t il in
itself a perfect system of faith and
practice. lis founder was the Sinless
ObS, ILLUSTRATING III HAS lAtc
the teachings of the Gospel,
u perfect example OF what
he taught. Christianity comes to us,
not as au abolisher OF what was right
and gopd but Ms a complete system of
truth, Incorporating iu itself all tn at was
true Ia The lmperfsct faiths Of the past.
and suppienienttng to 1t all that Is necss
sary to raise man To the highest Standard
OF 4 truly religious life.
FOUR GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
The religious views of all men. Jew
ish. Pagan or Christian may be divided
into four general principles. The wor-
ship OF something, or The God idea. ALI
forums of panthiesttc. idol aud symbolic
worship prove this statement. Men will
worship something and every religion
has something TO worship. Christianity
recognizes this fact aud teaches the true
idea. that above ali Jhis nature and idol
worship, there IL Que loved and loving
God, and points to the alteration of a
pure spiritual Being, higher and indie.
pendent of all material forms.
The second principle, a desire to gain
the favor of the object worshipped, 10
be at peace with God. Hence he who iu-
voked nature, prayed that the elements
might not disLurp MIN. he who bowed to
idols sought to gain their favor. Aud In
order to gain tue favor of the God, they
sought to make recompense or atonement
In offerings OF slain animals. gold, fruits,
flowers and even human sacrifices. This
sntonenent" idea, In souie form.
is the universal law OF all re-
llgions. What men have offerad and
suffered to dnd favor and psace with