The Portland daily press., 1893-01-16
THE NEW UNNERsALEM.
DE-. Blanchard's Third Sermon at Com
gress Sqnare Church.

Rev. DR.. Blanchard delivered the clos
ing sermon of his series on "The New
Universalism'' yesterday morning in the
Congress Square church. There was
large congregation present Before
preaching the sermon, DR.. Blanchard
read an extract from the book of Presi-
dent Orello Cone, D. D., of Buchtel Col
lege, entitled "GospelkC riticism and His
torical Christianity" This book is the
greatest achievement of the New Univer-
salism. Its scholarship and ability and
judicial spirit have been eulogized by
leading scholars in America. Its author
is the foremost scholar of the Universal
list denomination.
the subject of the sermon was "The
New Universalism and Jesus" The
text was taken from John xviii, 81. ITO
this end was born, and for this cause
came into the world that should bear
witness unto the truth
Two others were added. II am come
that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly." "And
I, if be lifted up from the earth will
draw all men unto me-" DR.. Blanchard
said that these three utterances of Jesus
were among the most glorious, stamped
upon his mind. He loved to repeat them
over and over again. Their music and
their meaning have for him an eternal
charm They could only be used as mot
toes. He then rapidly summarized the
preceding sermons. He emphasized the
fact that New Universalism is based on
the new knowledge of the new day. 1t
rejects, therefore, the doctrines of the
persistence, the miraculous birth and
the physical resurrection of Jesus. Even
some conservatives in the denomination
do not believe in tle first two old beliefs.
The theological schools at Tufts College
and Canton, N. j., teach the spiritual re-
appearance and not the physical resur-
rection The doctrine of the miraculous
birth is rejected because science teaches
that God has only one way of bringing
into being. That law extends to lower
animals and the vegetable world.
Moreover, the two accounts in Mat
thew and Luke are now considered leg
endary even by some scholars who be-
lieve in the trinity. New Universalism
does not disbelieve science because OF
poetical narratives in the New Testa-
ment. Furthermore, New Universalism
sees clearly that if Jesus is not a man he
cannot be an example to men. His spir-
itual disappearance after the death on
the cross is pledge of mems immortal
itv if Jesus is man. 1t has no value If
he is God or being other than man.
New Universalism gladly honors him
as Lord and Master and Savior. The ex-
tract read from Dr. Gone shows in what
high esteem he is held. God reveals
Himself through the minds of men. He
intervenes in time of need to give new
truth and new power. Great men come
in crises. They declare that they speak
for God. Among all these Jesus stands
supreme. Through him God has inter
vened to help humanity.
He is the comforter the strengthened,
the saviour of men. Comforter, because
he makes men feel, that they are not
alone, that God is with them, that God
overrules for good. Science, literature,
men may help, but Jesus is greatest com
forter in the hour of sorrow. His rule of
life is Take no anxious thought for the
morrow, for the morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself" He
strengthens those who receive this rule.
He saves from sin and not from punish
ment. 70 teach truth, to impart life, is
his great mission. He will draw all men
to himself at last.
The sermon closed with earnest thanks
for this reasonable and inspiring belief.
New Universalism, receiving the new
knowledge of the new day, teaches it's
great lie sons concerning the scriptures
and destiny and Jesus. Solemn is the
duty of its advocate to emphasize the
doctrine of probable eternal consequence.
Blessed is his privilege to show the great
ness of Jesus who looks to one greater
than himself
ssThe Reason Why."