The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-16
SELECTIONS.
1.-THE GRAND OLD MAN.

When conversing recently with the ex-
premier of England on books and liter
airy matters in the great library of Ha-
warden Castle. he informed me that he
was editing a new edition of Bishop
Buffers works. 1t is we'll known that
Mr.. Gladstone has been a close student
OF the famous Analogy" and that prob
ably something of his loyal and logical
devotion to Christianity may have re-
suited from its masterful influence. In
college course in Butler used to form
part OF the work done in the senior year;
and possibly may be so still. Those
US who recall the time spent in this
study must ever be grateful for it's dis.
cipline. 1t is consequently source of
much satisfaction that the foremost
Englishman is to touch and illumine the
pages of the venerable bishop for I'M
derstand that the editing involves com
ment and calculations, and a vigorous
introduction. DR.. Dollinger called Mr..
Gladstone the best theologian in Eng
land; and it will interest all thoughtful
Christians as we'll as scholars to read
what he hiss to say concerning one of the
most Intellectually brilliant of her bish-
ops, especially as there is an Oxford ira
dition that in his student days he could
not reconcile himself to the eminent pre-
late's views on original sin.
l have referred to the present under
taking of the ex-premier. not for the
purpose of commanding the analogy
which ought to be more generally and
more thoroughly studied than it is-but
to call attention to the serene and beau
tiful old age of the statesman. His
thoughts turn continually toward spirit
ual and heavenly things. Among the
special treasures he permitted my eyes
to rest on was small book with an in
scription addressed to him in the hand
writing of the sainted authoress, Han
nah More; and prayer book of the
times of James T. with forms of suppl
cation for every day in the year. Every
one knows how many contributions in
defense or in the exposition of our holy
faith have proceeded from his pen; and
remembering his public life one can
hardly resist the impression that he has
always acted from profound religious
considerations. Most of us are familiar
with the military bishop of the Middle
Ages, half ecclesiastic and half soldier,
ready to pray or to fight. Mr.. Gladstone
has presented something of this dual
character throughout his career. He has
been preacher as we'll as a politician,
and has been always ready to uphold
the church as the commonwealth. And
now that the end is drawing near
though all souls pray it may be long de-
layed-he is as a mighty mountain
clothed with snow, yet radiant and beau
tiful, irradiated by the sun of his faith.
In him one knows hardly which the
most to admire, the statesman or the
saint; but all must rejoice that in the
two vacations there is nothing necessar-
lily Incompatible: promise and prophesy
that in the better future they who rep
resent the people in government shall
seek to represent God there likewise.
When that day shall dawn, and when
religion shall be enthroned in our leg
islative halls. not as dominant church,
but as dominant principle, then shall
the degradation of politics cease forever
more.-Rev. George C. Lorrinaer. DID.
IN Standard.