The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-13

1t is, however, an evident truth
that some symbols furnish more
appropriate expression than others of
the purpose or sentiment which they
represent. This leads me to say
that given symbol may be fitted for
its use of assisting religious thought
or inspiring religious feeling for Ell
Their of two reasons. The impression
which, apart from all such associa-
tions. it would naturally make upon
our senses, may resemble the infu-
ence of what it represents upon our
mind and heart; or, while arbitrarily
employed at first, it may have be-
come adapted to its function through
significance acquired by long use.
For both these reasons, but especially
the last, this communion service COM
mends itself to our affectionate rev.
erence.
In the New York Central Park hun
dreds of people daily visit the Egyp-
tan obelisk, not because of anything
wonderful in its shape and substance,
but because of the historical and ira
ditional events to which it is related,
and which the spell of its presence
makes more real to their imagination.
For a kindred reason travellers visit
the Roman Coliseum, the feudal cast
les of the Rhine, and the Tower Of
London. It is because such places
have a history.
In like manner certain possessions
become very precious to us because
of their associations.
1t may be that you have in your
home some article of furniture or
table service chair, or dish, or
spoon - of unknown antiquity. 1t
came across the sea with one Of your
Puritan ancestors who sailed in the
Mayfower; and she brought it be-
cause it had been in the family ever
since one of her ancestors, who jour
neyed in the train of William the
Conqueror, brought it fromN ormandy.
Now, when you are cleaning it, you
think of the many hands, long since
crumbled into dust, that once per-
formed the same service; and whose
owners wondered who would care for
their treasure when they where gone.
When you are preparing the table for
expected guests, and come to that
special dish orspoon, your mind goes
away back, and keeps company with
some unknown ancestress who, gener-
atoms ago, set her house in order,
and with the stately courtesy of by
gone age, welcomed her friends to
the hospitality of her old-fashioned
home. Thus this heirloom which
has belonged to somany people whose
blood flows in your veins, and which
has been part of the furnishing OF SO
many houses, becomes link between
your life and the unknown joys and
sorrows of all who have transmitted
it to your keeping. You say, "Ah, if
it could speak, what stories it would
tell" and to your imagination it does
speak. At the nearest store you
could easily buy something of greater
beauty and richer intrinsic value; yet
you would not make the exchange,
because the new would lack the asso-
Citations which are the chief charm of
the old.
It is no less true of time honored
customs than of age-long possessions,
that they constitute medium of
sympathy between the present and
the past. OF course there are limits
beyond which the empire of the past
over the present becomes harmful in
stead of helpful. Custom must not
be allowed to fetter the wheels of
genuine progress. The farmer who
should still reap his harvest with
sickle, thresh it by hand, and carry it
to mill on horse back-with stone
in one end of the bag to balance the
grain in the other-all because such
were his fathers habits, would be
carrying his reverence for antiquity to
an injurious extreme. But, on the
other hand, the English gentleman,
who burns the yule log, and hangs
the holly and the mistletoe, in the
same hall where his ancestors held
their Christmas feasts, honors himself
in this tribute which he pays to those
from whom he has inherited house
and lands, together with life itself. l
fancy, too, that if they still retain
knowledge and interest concerning
the things of this lower world, it
must be that they are pleased thus to
i've on, by the perpetuity of their
customs, in the thoughts of those
who now occupy the places which
once they filled.
1t is thus that we value this COM