The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
Board of Trustees?

ferred to as to amount of this obliga-
ton. There is certainly no implica-
ton that it should be in excess of
ability-"a contribution, only that.
The suggestion as to what we are &C.
customed to call quota" is sugges-
ton only. Even very small regu-
lar contribution is pledge of loyalty
and if it be an honest measure of
ability, let no man criticise its
amount.
| suppose it to be true that in my
relation to the Convention, its laws
and it's methods, have latterly been
regarded as a conservative,andI read
lily admit the liability that men of my
years are liable even to err through
the intensity Of their conservatism.
But if any suspect me of unwilling
ness to respect the demands of true
progress as declared by the delibera-
ton of my associates, [ plead that,
consciously, I am not guilty.
But [ insist upon recognizing the
splendid democracy of our Conven
ton and that our own safety demands
that we conform in letter and in spir-
it very closely to the rules of our own
making. 1t is simply human nature
for earnest men to chafe at restraint,
even if self-imposed, but associated
progress is possible only through
subordinating our individualism to
whatever we may jointly devise and
adopt for the general good. I pledge
you my good faith that l will respect
that principle.
In the evolution OF the last twenty
five years, in the department of
church work, there has been immense
and gratifying growth in recognition
of the every day claims of humanity,
and of the truth that no amount of
rite and ceremony, no amount of
forms of devotion however intense,
and not even the highest type of pull
pit eloquence can compensate for
neglect of direct ministration to hui
manity, suffering through poverty,
misery and igorance, or even through
its own sin. The recognition by the
church is coming, too slowly it may
be, that.it will never do it's duty in
amelioration of the existing condi
ton of poverty, misery and sin, until
it nightly smites the causes thereof.
The day for essays about sin and
misery has passed and the day for
action has dawned.
do not violate propriety in so far
entering the domain of citizenship
as to remind you that democracy is
in absolute peril through wide spread
governmental corruption in all parts
of our country. 1t is very mild
statement to declare that public opin-
ion is Indifferent as to any recognition
of the decalogue and the golden rule
in public affairs. Every intelligent
man knows of the peril, but compar-
atively few have asserted the remedy
Thoughtful men are looking to
Christian citizenship, as a means to
public safety, with an intensity that
is growing hourly. The day has
passed when a man may claim the
title of christian citizen" solely on
the ground that he has not done much
harm, or isn't much worse than his
neighbors, or that he attends church
when minister and choir satisfy his
aesthetic tastes. The demands of Chris
tian duty are becoming inexorable,
and cannot much longer be resisted.
The opportunity, on this occasion,
to enter upon discussion of the
future of our own Caurch is in ADLER
hands than mine, but may congrat-
ulate my younger brethren and sis
tiers that they enter upon the work of
another twenty five-years period with
such grand incentives to duty, and
such splendid resources, and equip
ment as our church has never before
known. May they be abundantly
blessed in their work.