The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-06

/ for character in religion. With freedom.
character and fellowship upon its BAN
! mere, with the fatherhood of God and
the brotherhood of man as its shibbo-
Ieth. it truths indeed become the host
before whom ignorance and Sin must
disappear.
Let ne consider the obstacles to real
izing ct least in measure this opportu-
nifty. Intense decentralization does
more harm than the most iconoclastic
agnosticiem. This spirit works much
harm. 1t breaks Professionalism into
hundred eects; it breaks liberalism into
a dozen rival bodies. 1t is a state of
affairs for which the machine in
every church is largely to blame.
and until change is secured
the church can never be what she
should be. To bring this about calls
for the putting noneesentials in the
background where they belong, and the
recollection that today all the liberal or
CARNATIONS, and not few OF the
evangelical churches, are thorough ly
agreed upon all that determines char
acter and life. We have only to be as
sensible here as we are in our charity
organizations, our Masonic. Odd Fellow
and other lodges. The worlds parlia-
ment of religions and the religious con-
gress of the midwinter fair point to the
possibility of such result.
The success OF organization has been
demonstrated in the wonderful work
done by the Y. M. G. A. aud the Chris
tan Endeavor societies. To bear it's
greatest fruitage this movement must
start with no narrow aim. 1t must
seek to work for the whole human fami-
ly. 1t must keep in mind that God is
the father of us all, and that ell men
are brethren and his children. At least
ten liberal organizations of America can
unite in work for true Christian relig-
ion, all the work that the lowly
Ns1srene had in mind when
he ssid: "Pure religion and indebted
before the Father is this, to visit the
widow and the iatherless in their afflic-
tion and to keep himself unspotted from
the world" This movement towards
Capitalization must start with perfect
faith. There must be no concern as to
whether any particular organization is
to dominate; we must be worthy our
broad profession. We sometimes say in
criticism of evangelical churches, they
are better and broader than their creeds,
and it is true. They do, as people, live
in advance of their creeds. Now let it
not be said we are narrower than our
statement OF faith.
"Bear in mind the answer of Jesus to
him who asked, Master, who is my
neighbor? p | once heard it said of
brother: "He is more of Christian than
Universalist"-and the blood of my
Methodist ancestors tingled in my veins,
prompting hearty amen and thank
Godl" And, friends, have no more
earnest prayer tonight than that we may
be all worthy the same criticism. But
if this broader fellowship is to hold sway
it will mean not only greater tolerance
towards other denominations, but great
err tolerance between the churches
within our own denomination and
also greater tolerance between the
individual members of this body. What
beautiful example is set by the posi-
ton taken by the leading Universalist
church of the Mississippi valley, in
which the sanity DIR. Tuttle has pre-
sided these msnv years. After long
and careful consideration OF this by the
senior pastor and myself" said Mr..
Shutter, "we came to the conclusion
that he who accepted as the standard
of his life and conduct the golden rule
was eligible for membership in this
church. Let US learn to co opsr-
ate in absolute carelessness OF our
individual theologies. Let US agree to
disagree on everything, if needs be, but
the two great essentials of Gods father
hood and the universal brotherhood.
Let US, thus united, turn to the work
which the world offers us to do. Let
US determine that, if not in point
OF mum bers, at least in point OF intiu-
ence and good work, the particular
church to which we belong shall
stand first in the community
that makes it a home. This
done, and the numbers and
wealth will take care of them
selves. Let us be mindful OF our duties
to impress upon the growing youth OF
our land true example oil genuine ira
ternity. Let us strike hands to do one
common work, to serve one common
cause, to establish one common good
name, remembering that in the gain or
| LOGS of each all the rest have equal claim.
Let US not simply take upon onr lips the
glowing phrases of love and fraternity,
but let us wake into throbbiug, pulsing
life, intense human hearts OF our own,
the divine spirit of love which shall en-
compass all men and cry its mizpah at
our parting. MAY the Lord watch be-
tween thee and me when we are absent
| and from another"
The convention will continue tomor-
row and Thursday. A feature OF the
Wednesday morning exercises will be
| the memorial service in honor OF the
late Hon. A. G. Throop of Pasadena,
who has perhaps done more for the
cause of Universalism than any other
man in the state.