The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-09-29
THE YOUNG PEOPLES CHRISTIAN
UNION AND THE WORLDS
BY E. P. SINCLAIR.

BY E. P. SINCLAIR.
1t may seem, at first thought, that the
relation between the first part of this
subject and the last is too remote and
insignificant to be worthy of even the
few moments which we shall give to it's
consideration. But, is there not, friends,
a most intimate relation, as to the infu
ence it shall exert, between every organ
ization, indeed, between every human
life, and the world? And is not this in
| fiuence all the more potent for good or
! ill. according to the spirit and purpose
of the organization?
If the young Peoples Christian
| Union" can not and does not do it's part
for the betterment of the world, then it
has no good reason for it's existence.
i am persuaded, however, that this or
gnization may, and does touch human
| ity for its help, its healing and upbuild-
ing in righteousness. To strengthen
our young people, and older ones as we'll,
in this conviction is the purpose of this
paper.
| We are hero as an auxiliary Of Chris
tian church, with the avowed purpose of
working together, and with God, for that
promised complete redemption of all
souls from the bondage of sin, that they
may all in Gods eternity become the
children of light. We are wont to take
| ha Hnio vie IN h;,1r e
the Young Peoples Christian Union"
as being solely and chiefly the child of
the Universalist Church, Its special help
er, its special benefactor.
1t is all this, but let us dear friends,
take larger view, open wide the case
ment of our spiritual vision and see that
larger, nobler, more enhancing relation
which our Y. P. G. U. bears to the world
In the beginning, we remember that
the mass is only reached through the
Individual particles composing it, We
must begin with the unit as measure
of the thing that is to be. The leaven
must work upon each minute atom of
-four before the whole lump is leavened
just SO the great world of humanity is
to be saved to holiness and happiness,
not at once in its entirety, not by proxy,
but by the slow, patient education and
enlightenment of the individual through
experience and the renewing power of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ
And right here our Y P. @. U. comes
in touch with this great work, this grand
contamination. AS professedly spiritual
organization it must first do its best and
most complete service in promoting a
reverent Christian life and experience
in each individual member. have en-.
phasized this point before on similar
occasions, and see no reason for an
abatement of that emphasis at this
time.
Individual conversion and consecra-
tion then. of the life to the service of
| God, which means help to man, is the
first duty of the Y. P. G. u and the
church.
1t is the primary work in the redemp-
ton of the world. AS DR.. Hirsch so we'll
said, in substance. in his address at the
late Liberal Congress; IF we work for
the spiritual upbuilding of ourselves, for
those of our own family, then for those
of our own church. we do well; for
are we not thus working for humanity?"
AS the most effective link between
young people land indeed all people) and
the redemptive process of the world,
believe the church. and especially the
Universalist Church, is pre- eminent. In
this age of dense populations, increas
ing civilization, social and economic COM
plications, the church, il true to its mis-
sion, is needed as never before. The
Gospel of Jesus Christ applied in all its
regenerating power to the hearts of
men and women, is the only effective
remedy for STRIKES" dissipation, and
restitution.
And how is this Gospel to be applied
except through preachers and the ma
chinery of the church, Let the Y. p. G
U. study to use the many opportuni-
ties by which, through this instrument
tality. its members may reach the heart
of the world.
OF 100 persons. in certain district of
Chicago, who required and received pub
lie aid last winter. it was found that only
IL were members of churches; the other
10 had no connection with or interest
"Read az the wa Convention of the Young
Peoples Christian Union Anlchellyille. Sept. g.