The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-10

that can engage our attention ana
thought. Its purport is nothing less
that the actualization of the Christ
life; the God-life, here and now.
Whatever may be the form of wor-
ship in which we engage from time to
time.-whatever the trend of thought
or theology,-we at length arrive at
the law of service. If the church is
true to its mission, it will manifest
above all things else the heart OF
Christ. It will demonstrate that it is
more than piece of mechanism or
even an institution, that it is rather
an organism vitalized by the spirit of
God.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
the presence of such a force was
never more imperative than it is to-
day.
This is a time of great unifcation
along certain lines. but lines which
have to do in great measure with
mans temporal well-being. Over
against these combinations for mer-
cenary and political purposes there
must be the combination for truth
and righteousness. Faith, hope and
love must be preserved in the earth;
and there is no corporate body other
than that of the church whose special
duty and privilege it is to look to the
fulfllment of this mighty task. If
there are material, social and intel
lectual interests to be built up so are
there spiritual interests. The King
dom of God must have place among
men. Evidence is not wanting that
the tide of human affairs is setting
strongly in the direction of this more
abundant divine life.
The faiths and hopes and loves of
former days are insufficient to meet
the greater spiritual demands being
made of man.
The best evidence of this is the
deepening regard for the personality
of Jesus among all classes. When
did his name ever elicit such univer
sal approval? At what time were
men, without regard to place or con-
dition, so willing, yes so anxious to
acknowledge him as their friend and
master? The age is one of growing
belief in the essential Christ. What
ever may have been, or may now be,
the ecclesiastical or theological con-
troversies about him, he is emerging
from the dust and din of the pro-
longed conflict in a brighter light and
with a singleness of fellowship never
attained before. He is the best trust
ed and loved man throughout the
length and breadth of our humanity.
His sheep in a thousand other and
differing folds have heard his voice
and answered to his call. They have
gone in and out and found pasture.
The explanation of all this is not far
to seek. 1t is found in the limitless
reverence and regard he had for man.
None was too lowly nor sinful to call
for the most unfeigned and solicitous
service on his part. In no state of
his earthly career does he leave us in
any doubt as to the singularly hui
name character of his mission. In
the beginning of his ministry he says
through the words of another, THE
spirit of the Lord is upon me, be-
cause he hath anointed me to preach
the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the broken-hearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives,
and recovery of sight to the blind; to
set at liberty them that are bruised,
to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord"
We may we'll ask ourselves as
preachers anu lululotClo VI bulo ouO-
lime Gospel to what extent we are
true to it, how far we give it prop
er Interpretation in our words and
deeds?
We may we'll ask, also to what ex-
tent the organizations to which we
belong breathe the spirit offender and
universal benevolence, and of I'M
doubted confidence in the divinity
and humanity of their calling so
manifest here.
1t is upon this broadcast, this most
inclusive platform we are summoned
to stand now. For love knows no
false or arbitrary distinctions or bar
riers.
But we must look at our topic from
a mere specific point of view. With
this purpose in mind we will ask our
selves few pertinent questions.
l. Do we preach the Gospel to the
poor7 If we may rely upon the state
ments made and the figures given by
those who, we must believe, are in
position to know, we do not do this to
anything like the extent we should.