The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-07

Unitarian Society in South Providence
aims to be not unworthy of the Unita-
rian name. 1t invites cooperation and
support of every intelligent person in the
community, who Is not a member OF some
other church. The church that most
nearly teaches and practices the things
you believe in is the one you should sup
port and work with.
Although the Unitarian Church has no
creed that requires people TO subscribe
thereto in order to become members, IL
does encourage thought concerning the
great life questions of mans origin, his
destiny and duty. You may not agree
in every particular with the minister.
1t is not expected that you would. But
IL he says something even once in great
while that leads you to do some original
thinking on elevated lines, or IL once in a
while he stirs your better nature and
nerves you to renewedpobleness of effort
is 1t not worth the cost? III you rejoice in
your liberal and enlightened views con-
cerning the nature Of God and man and
human destiny you ought to do what you
can to share your JOY with Others whose
lives are still darkened "with clouds of
doubt and creeds 'of fear"
The thinking people of South Provi-
dence who are not members of any church
and who cannot honestly become mem
bers OF any of the creed bound commu-
mons ought to stand together shoulder to
shoulder to support the teachings of the
more rational, more liberal views. Do you
know what the gospel as Unitarians
preach 1t, II ably supported, would do for
this community! In the first place it
would promote rational ideas in
regard TO religion and life.
1t would overcome age thinking and
thus would lift the standard OF intelli-
gence and enlightenment. A church that
places the authority of creed or Scripture
first and reason second is not in position
to do much honest and effective work for
the encouragement of reason and the
spread OF enlightenment. A Unitarian
Church helps to better citizenship, for it
teaches the worth not the worthlessness
OF human nature, 1t teaches the religion
OF character and good works, ii speaks
for every day honesty and uprjghtness,
as the only way of salvation. Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale is fond OF quoting
what charming woman down east once
said to him when he came to help dedicate
a new church in her town. She said, "Mr.
Hale, Unitarian church to you means
merely one more name on your list, but
to the people of this town it means better
books, better music, better sewerage, bet
ter health, better life, less drunkenness,
more purity and better government"
Mr.. Hale said, "That is what a church is
for" And / say SO too. Don't you? Is
there one among you who does not believe
i'm that kind of church. Then it would
seem we ought to have it, not as vague,
tantalizing uncertainty but as a positive
and well established fact. Remember that
il this church of our desire is not
firmly established here in the near
future no one will be quite so
much TO blame as ourselves. III a people
really want church, there is nothing in
earth or heaven or hades to prevent them
from having it. Only we must really
want it, and to be willing to work for Il
and pay the cost OF it, the same as we do
for any thing else we spend our money or
energy for. In helping to establish this
church we will be doing some
thing that will help to make
the world better than we found it. We
will be helping TO esta blish an institution
that will work for rig hteousness and the
ideal life of man on earth long after our
arms of flesh shall have crumbled into
dust. challenge you to decide this ques-
tion in way that is worthy of your own
better nature, in a way that will best help
your own higher life and that of others in
this community, in way that
you will have least cause for vain regret
in future years, in way that will add to
your Joy and blessedness. not only for
this life, but for the eternal years that
may be yours.