The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-02

Is often OBJECTED 10 Jne OnlVersdllst
Of the final outcome of
Christianity, because, it is affirmed,
that there is a volition in many a
focal point that resists the kindly in
vasion. May not this volition hold
out forever, and so thwart the de-
signs of the Almighty Love? That
thing has been tried in millions upon
millions of cases under the dominion
Of the Almighty, and in as many
cases his all-encompassing purpose,
love, and forces, have assailed, flowed
in, and made the perverse centre too
warm and too conscious of new har
mony and happiness for further OPP
position. What can stand against
this concentration of the divine ele
ments? Who would stand in the way
when the crisis comes? Their the
most hardened melt down, and would
consent that the stars should fall
rather than not be made at one in
wardly with The besieging and uni
versal God. The ways and means
are unnumbered for the incoming of
the divine will within the minds of
men, and within the midst of commu-
mites. No pressure from within can
hold at bay the manifold gifts of the
Creator,-the silent teaching of fruit
full fields, the grandeur of the hea
vens declaring the glory of God, the
life and word of Christ declaring the
tenderness and love of the Father.
There is an accord between the
lack and the supply. The lack will
sooner or later acknowledge it. 1t
would be reducing the handiwork of
the Infinite to paltry sort of human
product, to allow his wisdom and
foresight to be darkened by the sha-
dow of an inference that weakness
and moral vacuity will turn out to be
sufficient unto themselves, never
seeking anything better.
No; the focal point and the rays are
in ultimate agreement. 1t was so on
the day of Pentecost, when gifts and
graces were in one place; and, with
the same accord, the multitude was
there to receive them. This was by
perfectly natural correspondence
and impulses. Is it only an excep-
tional conjunction,-that between the
love of the Father for his own, and
his own come forth to meet that love?
Everlasting affinities must exist
between the Creator and the creature.
Because "God is love" the whole
vast universe of good moving,-living
goods by it's nature and laws,
bound to force its way in from all
sides, and fill the dark places with
light, and cleanse the foulest spots of
earth with the divine chemistry of
that Redeeming Love.
If a foot or finger be ailing, there
is the spot whittier the healing cur
rents of the system speed their course.
When Africa was cannibal, when Chi
cago was in ashes, they both, under
the workings of humanity and the
Christian religion, rose to the general
level. So with any place of sin and
wrechedness that may spread itself
out somewhat further along in mans
progress. That is the place,-by the
analogies already traced-by the
Fatherhood of God and the brother
hood of man; by the consistency of
the Supreme Worker and the rela-
tioLs of Christianity,-that place
must be the one most visited of any
in existence. That must be point
for the concentration of the moral
forces of the universe, until that
blackened place, like the burned dis
trict just mentioned, be covered by
happy homes.
In Christian work along these lines
there is hope of large returns.
IF am weak and you are strong,
Why then, why then,
To you the drawer deeds belong;
And so. again,
haU off re
If have shade and you have sun,
Ills yours with freer hand to give.
Els yours with truer grace to live,
Than l. who giftess, sunless stand
With barren life and hand.
Ills wisdom's law, the perfect code,
By love inspired;
OF him on whom much is bestowed
Is much required.
The tunefu throat is bid to sing,
The oak must reign the forests king;
The rushing stream the wheel must move,
The beaten steed its strength must prove.
IT'S given unto the eagles eyes
To face the midday skies"
THE RECEPTION AND BANQUET.