The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-03

had had deacons who seemed to be de
void of grace in passing the elements to
the people.
To this query. Mr.. Laing responded by
describing his own methods. He always
thoroughly prepares for the service. He
keeps the emblems covered until the
time for their use. Offers prayer. He
does not have certain two to pass the
elements but trains all of his members
to that office. He instructs the deacons
before the service, how to pass the plate
and cups, and has them move in unison.
At the prayers. especially at the com
munion service, he has the congregation
stand. He has all the arrangements for
the entire service perfected before he
begins.
1.-THE Institutional Church was the
next subject to attract the attention of
the Conference. Rev. L. s. M'Collester,
of Detroit, read the opening paper.
He said that he would present gen.
eral treatment of the subject. The In
stitutional Church is the fruit of hun
dreds of generations of general develop
ment. The church is coming nearer to
the idea of the Good Samaritan and
farther away from Gerizim and Jerusa-
lem. In every age there has been an
ideal of faith and worship. The ideal
church in every age, has been the one OF
Spirit and of Truth. The purpose Of re-
ligion is the same in all ages-the living
out of God in us.
Changes cannot be forced faster than
the world is ready for them. Hopefully
we view the building Of the ideal church
that alone can satisfy us. The ideal
church is that which is fittest for all
times and needs We are seeking the
way to reach the unchurched, both rich
and poor. AS way of reaching the I'M
churched of largely inhabited districts,
the every day, or institutional church has
come into being. The problem is to suit
the church to the needs Of the people.
The idea of the church is that which is
among the people and fits the needs Of
those whom it touches. The institution
al church furnishes an opportunity for
the rich and the poor to come together
and work for their common interests,
The paper closed with glowing vision
of the ideal church.
Rev. Frank McAlpine followed with
an address on the same subject. He said
in part:
We can best judge Of our work by OBJ
serving the contrasts Of life-by studying
the people with whom we have to deal.
He gave several illustrations of these
contrasts as found in actual life and
then proceeded to say that we must de-
wise some means to reach those who are
at the base of life's pyramid. Most of
the people are at the base. All Of our
religious services should be for the up
building of all classes. A part Of the
secret of the hold of the Catholic church
upon the masses, is the fact that it's
affairs are always open, at least in the
large cities.
tional church. we can get substantial
financial aid from business men and
others outside of the Universalist
church.
Rev. Augusta J. Chaplin, DID,, then
spoke along the same lines.
She considerd this subject of great
importance and wanted a better name
than institutional church." We expect
better name before long. The whole
Christian world is reaching out for some.
thing better, richer and truer; something
to help the poorer classes.
The thinkers are all on our side
Science comes and tells US that love is
the great central fact of the future. The
whole Christian world is coming to take
the Universalst side. The Universalist
church must find something else to do
besides dwelling on the one idea of uni
versal salvation. Our mission now is to
go out and help save the world. This
world is only to be saved by love and we
must now go out and practice what we
have been preaching.
The four Gospels are largely made up
OF what Christ did; the Christian church
has been laying the stress on what he
said. You will find in following Jesus
about Palestine, that he filled his time
in doing good works, aud we must come
to the conclusion that if we are to follow
Christ, we must turn our attention to all
possible things to do for the worlds
good.
would have church opened all of
every day, to allow the wayfarer to come
in and mediate and rest. / would have
other rooms for other uses. l am sure
that such church will be eventually in
stituted in this city. 1t shall be a church
from which all good influences shall go
out to all people. st. Paurs church
now is almost an institutional church
without knowing it. A church is not
too sacred thing to be used for any
good purpose. A fitting memorial to
Prof. Swing, would be church of this
character, located right down in the
center of the city where the battle is GO
ing on. Perhaps no man can be found
m f1ll prof Suinu's pIana but nninicta or