The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-30
CHURCH EXTENSION PAPERS.
NO. 1.
BY REV. L. J. DINSMORE,

WE are hearing much in these later
years about the great work of university
extension. We recognize readily enough
its Importance. 1t is a great work to
bring the uplifts of modern scholarship
to the relief of the many lives that are
shut in by hindering circumstances and
compelled to long and severe toll, and
the denial of mental ambitions. And
it's inception and broad execution have
been hailed with delight by those who
wish we'll to men,
The object of these papers is to urge
upon all thoughtful friends of the Uni
versalist Faith the Importance of sys-
tematic work in Church Extension. Our
missionary work bears something of the
character of university extension, and
we should appreciate the privilege of
carrying out the inspirations and uplifts
of our Christian faith to homes and
communities where it has long been
strange. And these papers, which may
be submitted from time to time, are des.
ignated as Church extension" because
they will endeavor to present to the
readers of The UNIvERsALIsT, the i'm
portance and value of our missionary
church work, as extending the church
to those who need its help, but who are
from any cause unable to come directly
under its influence. This springs from
profound conviction that the prosper
ity of the Universalst Church is vitality
associated with the utilization of the
Universalist Idea as factor of human
life and character. For ideas are only
valuable as they express themselves in
the actual achievements of men. The
idea Of the Divine Fatherhood and hu-
man brotherhood has long been familiar
to human thought. But its Transforming
influence upon the world has not been
recognized until in the course of time
church was put behind it to labor for
it as the supreme thing in religion. The
Universalist Idea needs the Universal
list Church. Beyond this church it may
find friendly greeting. There are other
organizations to whom it may be CRATE
full. With not few it is accepted as
part of philosophy involving many
other great or small notions. But to the
Universalist Church alone it is the sum
and substance of the Christian gospel,
the art of living. the secret of human his
tory, and the key of the hereafter. And
hence this is it's peculiar mission in the
world, to care for the Universalist Idea
as the heart of religion, "a mission
which it divides with no other religious
body.
Can this idea be as we'll served by
any other organization as by our own?
Those who love the faith may turn for
assistance in the promotion OF its welfare
and diffusion, either to some other relig-
ious body, or they may prefer to organize
in local way without denominational
affiliations.
In turning to some other order where
shall they goY 1t is mistake to assume
that they can find help in the Episcopal
denomination. There seem to be indi-
cations of reaction among the mem.
bers or at least among the leading off.
cials of that sect. towards Anticipated
and foolish notions Of theology which
the reasoning portion OF our age seem to
to have very largely outgrown.
A Universalist in that communion is
hardly less out Of place than he would
be among the Methodists or Presbyter-
ians. They are good people. and have