The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-02
AN OBJECT LESSON FOR UNIVER-
SALISTS.


his work in Ohio. He sends THE
UNIvFRsALIsT the following commune
cation, which we print thus promi-
nently with the hope that it may
serve to open the eyes of that portion
of the Universalist people who i'm
agine that the work of our church is
accomplished theologically and that
there is no further need of the doc.
trinal inculcations of our system of
faith because of the growing liberali-
ty of the orthodox pulpit. The kind
OF sermon here described is by no
means exceptional, even at this day, in
the pulpits of the popular churches.
Similar examples can be found in
every corner of the country. The
Universalist who believes that the
orthodox pulpit at large is forsaking
the old faith, is densely smitten with
ignorance of the way things are going
on in the religious world. Under all
the seeming liberality of the times
there is steady adherence to the
fundamental dogmas of the old faith;
while the voice is that of Jacob in
much of the preaching of the times
the hands are those of Esau. And in
a multitude of cases there is no con-
cealment whatsoever in regard to the
| old views. While the cardinal teach
ings of the orthodox faith are still so
common in the pulpit the way is open
for the Universalist Church to make
converts as of yore. The Universalist
Church misses its opportunity when
it falls under the influence of the de-
fusion that the orthodox pulpit has
grown so liberal that there is no long
er any need for the definite procla
nations of the Universalist faith.
Such communications as that of Mr..
Dotter are well calculated to open the
eyes of those smitten with this de-
fusion.
"WHERE ARE WE AT?"
Theologica.ly speaking this is not an
easy question. Ones answer is very
liable to be determined by recent expe-
rience. For instance, after have had
half hours talk with some easy going,
Indifferent Universalist, / am almost
ready to assert that Everybody is SO
liberal" these days that it does not make
much difference whether we continue to
work for our church and it's distinctive
doctrines or not. Then when ! have
just come out of Methodist quarterly
meeting, with blood hot and heart pal
pitating, feel like hunting down that
last Universalist / talked with and max
ing him take back" all he said about
everybody being liberal" am in
that state of mind at the present time.
II is nine o'clock P. M, Sunday, Febru-
airy "a. 1895. Place, Hamilton, Ohio.
Having appointment here only for morn
ing service l thought would enjoy an
hour at the fine stone church in the
heart of the city. From the very costly
and artistic building, thought, surely
now l will find here good music and
high talent in the pulpit. 1 found
large crowd. The great pipe organ
and select choir led the very spirited
congregational singing. The preacher of
the evening was the Methodist presid.
ing Elder, fine specimen of a we'll
preserved and fully rounded out man,
physically considered. The theme was
the Christian ground for rejoicing. The
text was: But rejoice rather that your
names are written in Heaven" The
fact of the Christians assurance of
Heaven was given as the one ground for
rejoicing. This was illustrated and i'm
pressed in clear and forcible manner.
The statement of a certain man that he
was going to spend the first thousand
years in Heaven simply shouting was
given as good example to show how
great our gratitude should be for the as
surance of Heaven.
1t was given as the firm belief of the
speaker that there was great book of
records kept in Heaven in which names
were being continually written and
blotted out. The conditions for having
our names written there constituted the
main theme of the discourse. The name
Lambs Book of Life gave solution to
this problem. The fact of its being a
Book of Life, showed that the names
written there were of those who had
been made alive by regeneration. az be-
fore that time we are not alive but dead;
dead in tresspasses and sins.
The means whereby we become regen-
Grated is suggested by the title Lambs
Book of Life" Jesus is meant here as
the Lamb, and this designation is used
to recall his sacrifice as the Lamb of God,
slaughtered for the sins of the world.
1t is through the virtue of this sacrifice
therefore, that we are regenerated-
made alive-and our names written in
| the Book of Life. Reference was here
made to certain persons who do not
think belief in creeds or opinions have
any virtue, but that character should
conatitute our hone "SOme creeds NAV