The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15

den of taxation in this direction is new
er complained of. AS an illustration
of this fact, take our last winters ex-
perience. The combined subscriptions
for the relief of the needy we're equal to
our whole tax levy for city purposes,
and there was not a murmur although
the murmurings at what they call the
useless extravagances of the city Fa-
theirs are often loud and deep. But while
the Bible exhorts us to be charitable
and points out the rewards for charit-
ableness, it also emphatically condemns
the uncharitable and defines the punish
ment. Now the great majority of the
people have experienced the great satis-
faction it gives to relieve the wants of
the needy, yet in our work for the hos
pital we have met some who are not in
the hospital fund, and for their benefit
and for the benefit of those who stayed
away this morning to escape giving their
mite, will read portion of the 10th
chapter of Luke"
Mr.Paige next read the parable of the
rich man and Lazarus, with the remark
that he presumed that all were familiar
with it, but it would do no harm to re-
fresh the memory, adding; This pass
age is the foundation of the orthodox
belief of punishment after death. If
our orthodox friends are correct / would
recommend that the uncharitable pom
der it,"
Mr.. Paige continued his address as
follows;
"If the churches wish to increase their
power for good, they cannot do better
than to found and maintain hospitals,
thus proving their practical Christianity.
Much as we may criticise the Roman
Catholic church or dissent from her
methods, when we come in contact with
her hospitals and the broad Catholic
spirit there practiced, all our criticism
and dissensions melt into admiration for
her mighty power and will to relieve the
distressed. When you give to hospitals
you have the assurance that your charity
has not been misplaced. Giving is not
always iudicious and is sometimes a
crime. Take for example the feeding
of young able-bodied men at the BRIDE
well, last winter. This was crime for
it is building up criminal class in our
midst which will take vigorous legis.
| lation to put down in the near future.
Hospitals are no new things; they are
| as ancient as religion and far antedate
public schools, and although many other
public and private institutions fail for
lack of proper support 1 never knew of
hospital failing and there is growing
demand for them.
LEST some of our people should think
we have no interest in our hospital,
will show you how much we are interest
ed as church.
Five of the eleven members of the
board are Universalists twenty one of
the seventy five life members of the Sill
yer Cross Association are members of
this church and two of the members of
this church and one of the Methodist
church have done all the hard labor
connected with experimenting the
building, putting in nearly two years of
time, free of charge. Twelve thousand
nine hundred and fifty of the twenty
eight thousand dollars subscribed has
been subscribed by members of the Uni
versalist Church, although there are
twelve other churches interested.
From this you see that we have
very large interest to protect and in or
der to do it, we must keep giving. We
might as we'll say, after we have paid
something toward the support of our
church, Run now, il you can or shut up;
have paid my share and will give no
more; and that would be the sheerest
folly. We must keep giving in order to
have the church run. and we must keep
giving in order to have hospital run;
and when anyone tries to scare you with
the question as to how it is to be run
when finished. say to them that the same
invisible power that impelled you to
build the structure will impel others to
support it. / have no doubt that it will
be run when completed"
The address closed by giving statistics
of the hospital. which has already re-
ceived by subscriptions. life member
ships, entertainments, etc., over $4,000
from the citizens of Joliet. We are glad
to know that the Universalists are so
we'll represented in this benefcent enter
prise.