The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-30
WHO is THE BEST WITNESS

WHO is THE BEST WITNESS
That we have that God is our Father?
When we say our, we mean humanity.
To answer this question Universalism
calls Jesus Christ the best witness, in
giving us the most reliable testimony on
this point. More so than any other
one.
We are aware that the Prophet made
this inquiry: "Have we not all our
Father" Yet we must bear in mind
that this prophet was an Israelite. He
was only asking this question for that
people. He had no idea of extending
this relation to the idolatrous nations of
the world. The Jews had not taken in
the broad idea that the God they wor-
SHIPPED was the Father of all men. This
idea that the one God could be the crea-
tor of all men, was as far as this system
could go. 1t was as much as they could
allow, that God was Father to Israel
and no more. This was their ideal of
the Fatherhood. So when they come to
the brotherhood of humanity, that only
embraced Israel. If any others gained
this birthright, they must take the oath
of allegiance to Israel, by turning their
backs upon all former connections, of
every kind and nature and thereby be
adopted brothers into the Jewish family.
Their Israel's God would be the Father
of the adopted child.
Now, can we look upon Jesus as teach
ing this limited, circumscribed relation
of the Fatherhood, and brotherhood
when he calls upon all sinners to say
"Our Father who art in heaven?"
Even as radical a man as DR.. Henson,
of Chicago, is, on this subject, in follow
ing the Israelitish principle, yet. in his
revival efforts, if one from the slums,
should call out, "Our Father, be merciful
to me sinner" the doctor would readily
receive that sinner as child Of "Our
Father in heaven" Would he not do
right? Most assuredly. But when did
of this Father in heaven? He is that
prodigal, that Jesus mentions in that
beautiful lesson that he gave us.
1t is strange that all the sects who
cherish that old heather dogma of end
less h ell torment. should be sustaining
that ancient Jewish idea about who are
Gods children. The plain lessons of
Jesus are so definite and explicit that
no professed believer in him should err
Yet it is so, but why is it?
Self-righteousness was the reason with
Israel in the days of Christ. 1t is the
same today at the close of the nineteenth
century. That old leaven is yet at
work. II am holier than thou" 1t
keeps alive the feeling that the older
brother manifested when his prodigal
brother returned home. He wanted the
father to shut up his heart in self.right-
eousness, and send the poor, starved boy
to hades, and save the fattened calf.
The Hensons, and the hosts who preach
eternal hell-tire, are filled with the same
spirit of self righteousness.
We are thankful that the gospel leaven
of truth is at work upon the hearts
of some. The McPhersons are coming
to the truth. They are bold in declar-
ing that God is the Father of all souls,
for length of time at least. We
would ask them-How is it, when the
poor pr odigals are turned over to the
devil to be tormented to all eternity for
no possible good to any one? Do the
McPhersons' believe, that God will con-
tinue to be the Father of the damned to
all eternity? If so, he is strange Fa.
Their, indeed. He is not that perfect
Father in heaven" that the Master de-
scribes to US.
There is no choice between the Father
of the Baptist Henson, and the Presby
terian Mcpherson, or the Methodist
Moody. They all repudiate the divine
character of the Father. that Jesus
Christ taught, just as long as they
preach the doom of endless suffering OF
one soul. JAMES BILLINGS.
! HIco, TEXAS.