The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-27

ish like the baseless fabric of dream.
Do we dream that all this wealth and
luxury in which we moderns revel
depends upon our material resources?
Then why do not the fertile plains of
the lower Danube produce like re-
suit? Why the difference between
the dweller on the banks of the Gan
ges, or he who lives in the Flowery
Kingdom, and we who dwell near the
banks of the Mississippi
The differences have their founda-
tions in the spiritual forces that move
the jewellers in these different reg
ions. Because here there is more of
truth and honor between man and
man; more of faith and love; more of
hope; and these forces can turn the
wilderness into garden, and fill the
desolate places with the hum of in
dustry, the laughter of little children,
the harmonies of music; but without
them the most fertile regions are but
deserted wildernesses.
have briefly and fear very i'm
perfectly indicated the importance of
the spiritual forces to society; the
need of their culture to the effective
use and enjoyment of even our most
material resources. I feel that l need
not, in this presence, argue the value
of religion as the means by which
these great spiritual forces are to be
inspired to action, 1t is the fashion
of the hour, fashion not without
merit, to speak of the good in other
religions than that of Christ, and as
Christians we rejoice to know that
the other great religions of the
world are receiving the sympathetic
study of Christian scholars, believing
that thereby the cause of true relig
ion shall be advanced, because we
shall better understand how to pre-
sent to them it's truths. But where
else than in him and his teachings
shall the world find the inspiration it
needs? That men have found light
and help elsewhere, does not dim the
fact that in him we find the fullness
of all.
Wherever they have rested in that
all comprehensive love and faith
toward God and man, which he so
fully revealed unto men-wherever his
life of sympathizing ministry has
been made the life of his followers,
where they have come into oneness of
spirit with him, there the individual
soul has found peace and Joy, and
there a noble civilization has arisen
just in proportion to the number who
followed him. In all our provings we
still "hold fast that which is good"
"The Christ faith, the Christ love, the
Christ life"
But as intimated in the beginning
of this discourse, there are differences
of Interpretation. Where shall we
find among the discordant voices,
that profess to speak in his name,
faith more rational and reverent than
our own? Where shall we find one SO
inspiring and helpful?
Does the world need the spiritual
forces? Does our modern civilization
rest upon them? Then the more
complex it becomes, the more per
fectly and generally must they be
diffused. If faith in man be neces-
sary factor of modern life, what faith
is more fitted to inspire it, than that
which sees in the Divine Fatherhood
of God, the certainty of the final tri-
umph of goodness in every soul?
What can SO inspire the love which is
needed to conquer the selfshness and
vice and cruelty of the world. as the
faith that God of Infinite Love is
at the helm of the Universe, and that
this God with all his infinite re-
sources can suffer no defeat of his
purposes, and SO every right act must
have it's fruit and no effort after
righteousness can be in vain. We
need, the world needs, righteousness
of life; what shall SO inspire it as that
faith which proclaims unfalteringly
that sin and happiness can never
dwell together9 that the love of God
is SO persistent that it shall never
cease to pursue the sinner until he
shall turn to that holiness for which
he was created7 The worlds spirit
ual needs are great, but surely such
faith is equal to its needs.
| believe that your presence in this
annual Convention is a witness that
you have proven this faith and hold
fast that which you have found good.
There is another proving to which
every faith must be put. Will it fail
us in our hours of bereavement and
sorrow? Can we hold fast to it here?
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