The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1894-07-28

What is the attitude of the Univer-
salist Church to Christ? 1t highly
eXalts the character and authority of
Jesus. 1t looks upon him as the COM
petent leader and Savior of men. But
it differs from a large portion of the
Christian world in its idea of his nature
and Office. The Universalist does not
believe that Jesus is Deity, the second
member of the GOdhead. But he is not
ready to assent to the statement that
Jesus is an imperfect man. Univer-
God as we are all Sons OF Cod, but
especially chosen as the revealer of
Divine truth. He is the typical man.
All men are inspired, but in measure.
Jesus is completely inspired. The New
Testament interpreted in the light OF
reason and history gives US Il substan-
TALLY correct record OF the life and
teachings Of Christ. Enough is known
OF that life to accept it as the perfect
ideal. God has always ycarned to
make himself known to men. He has
poured out his spirit upon his children
in all times. He has chosen great
ndsand souls for special work and
endowed them with special gifts. But
in the fullness of times, he gave one
who by his natutc and inner illumi-
nation became the express image OF
God, God manifested in human form.
Christ is not a substitute. He is not
a contrivance by which the moral
balance of the universe may be read
justed. He is not an ''ordinary man,
and yet he has no powers that do not
exist it posse in every man. lie IS not
God except as We arc all gods. There Is
a sense in which this is true. We are
all incurnntions of God. As DR.. Wilton
remarks. "Deity and humanity arc not
two natures, but one. Christ is not on y
more divine than any one Of US. Lie Is
also more human.
Many theories have been held rs TO
the work or Christ in salvation. But
they may all be reduced to two dis
lin"livc ones. the Sacrictal and the
moral. The Uniycrs.4list denies the
sacri!icial and cnfOrces the moral view.
This rejects the idea Of the wrath Of
Cod and ar1irms his fathcrlv love. It
declares the doctrine Of vicHlions
t'LJil' III ,ltlblitii ia tltN''. ''I'''
as the universe is or%Hniz"d. impossi5sc
Of execution. Jtr4mOv"o the face Of an
ANGRY ind yc aud puts in its Mace the
fac. of a ''jutIirial" Father. Jesus
Christ. says Uuivcrs;.1ism. exhibits in
hi IL aud character both the state
ami process OF salvation. The cross,
tlo%-h not cNpintion for sin in Il very
real SENSE. Is the expression of God :
aDhorrence Of sin. IL; we'll as the rev.
elaton of his lov" form:ln.
.Insus is human liNe ourselves, subject
to the same temptations. disapoint
mcntS and SORROWS. But by the cNer
else Of his will and by rclian"r upon
tf,OJ he was able to win IL victory oven
ALL He lays down the princi pie OF the
Divinc life, provides an example Tor
imitation, and. what is even more I'M
portant, supplies the necessary motive
aud impulse. He exhibits in his lltc
complete harmony of the human and
the Divine anu teaches us how VIC may
at the same time live in peace with God
and in helpful and happy relations with
our fellows. He rcconcilcs the demands
of time and eternity and in the midst OF
| Lllt ilHN tOtll VI lllO ohc"'
how we may nourish an abiding hopt
and create q symmetrical character.
But Christ's power as Savior does not
end with the historic and ethical ele
ment. In the process of salvation there
is possible for every soul the personal
communion which Christ gave to his
disciples. There was something in theil
Master that eluded detination. He was
greater than anything he ever said or
did. And when in personal contact
with him their power to overcome was
vastly increased. Under the intlucnce
of his spirit, vision grew clearer, Will
stranger, hearts more rcstful. The
same power he gives to his disciples in
all times. To the tempted, the lonely
to those who seek for the light, to those
who battle with self and with evil
Christ comes as a personal helper anC
friend. The end of Christ's work is the
bringing of all into willing subsection
to the moral law. so that the grand con
summation will be the complete and be-
neficent rule Of God. The long travail OF
the world wiz result int perfect hui
manity, man one with Christ, made one
with God.-Rer. c. Fl. Eaton, an tn
ChouauQuonto for Ju|y.