The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-28
WHAT CHURCHES NEED.
THE KIND OF UNIVERSALISM THE
TIMES DEMAND.
Discussion of tho Subject by the Univer-
salists of Rhode Island at Their Regu-
lar banquet Last Night.

The Universalist Club of Rhode Island
held it's regular meeting at TillinRhast's
assembly rooms last night. At the bust
ness meeting at o'clock Henry l.. Traf-
ford and William &. Writ were elected
members. At 1880 sumptuous banquet
was held in the dining rooms, at the
close Of which the topic of the evening,
The Sort Of Universalism That the
Times Demand" was opened for discus
sion. President Adm B. Capron made
the opening address.
President Capron paid tribute TO the
Boston Club and then said. 1.-THE tonic
to be discussed is OF paramount import
ance to all ana l take great pleasure in
leaving it in the hands of our honored
guest, the Rev. /. p. Coddington of West
Somerville, Mass
The Rev. Coddington then spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen, this is not the first time
that have enjoyed Rhode Island hospi-
tality. l have always met with royal
welcome here. It would he more fitting
for NE TO receive instruction from YOU
than to impart 1t. Greatness does not
imply power, IL that gre IN ,ss is mere
size. This is true C our own little sect
OF Univ.rsalists. BY wise cultivation
our denomination may attain ri gantic
proportions. l am to speak of the sorr of
Universalism That the times demand You
are not wanting in that. l feel that
l am audacious in seeking to instruct
you. utter one Of the proudest senti-
ments of my soul when / say that am
a Universaiist: What the times demand
is universal Universalism. Do we thor
oughly comprehend the meaning of the
word Universally. Religion is recogni-
tioD, dim and vague, maybe, but a recog-
milton OF the greatness OF God. Types or
religion must necessarily vary. The
naturalist. the positivist, the Roman
Catholic, differ because OF their different
conceptions of God. The times demand
a church that welcomes testimony to the
goodness, truth and righteousness oi
God. Let the Universalist Church be
that church. The times demand a church
that admit universal realism.
Men have always delighted in think
ing themselves the especial favorites Of
heaven. This Is the yeriest conceit. 1t
is conceit to think that the book OF any
religion came exclusively from God. The
progressive revelation Of God is the key
note OF Christian enlightenment. The
Universalism that the times demand
points 10 flttn : revelation from God in
accordance with our capabilities and
needs. Universalism has ever taught
the intrinsic divinity OF the human SOUL"
The speaker here touched upon the
Universallst conception OF Christ, and
then continued:
Every man In my opinion possesses
the elements OF divinity in greater or
less degree. The supreme authority of
the Christ is the Christ within u.s. The
genus OF Christianity is to make every
man a law within hi nself.
1.-The world needs Universalism that
proclaims the universality OF inspira-
ton. There is tendency in all churches
to attribute all inspiration to tie
prophets. IL has been taught In all
chui ches that God is denominational.
That he cares nothing for advancement
except n it comes through the church.
The times also demand a philanthropic
We see this ia all spirit
ual manifestations.
the world also demands all aggressive
Eve have "a grander faith than any
other denomination Oh earth. / believe
hat God is capable of managing this
universe ana or saving every one OF his
Dr. Cushmau Of Providence, spoke next.
He emphasized the ftct that there are
conceptions OF the meaning aud
scope OF UDiversalsm. La the fundamen-
al principles all are pretty nearly agreed.
lie differed somewhat radically from
many of the technical. points assumed by
Dr.. Coddington. Touching upon the tonic
" the evening he said that ''the Inclusive
Tord should be Christianity and Uniy,r-
alism should be incidental"
DIR. Henry Rugg ul Providence was
he next speaker and defined his idea of
Jniversalism.
Further speeches were made by th.
{ " i. w. Hamilton OF Pawtucket. and |
Dr I'd v of provuieure