The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-21
What IS UNIVERSALISM
Restoration of the Whole Family to
Holiness and Happiness.
SERMON OF REV. +. E. ADAMS
lie Sets Forth in Plain Language What
the Members of the universalist
Church Believe in and Gives the
Grounds of Their Belief.

Rev. f. e. Adams, of Nicholson,
preached a special sermon to a large
congregation at the All Souls Univer-
salist chapel last evening, his theme
being what the Universalist Church
Stands For" The reverend gentleman
said:
Every church, society and organiza-
ton stands for something. 1t is only
by it's usefulness, its progress and prin-
ciple that church. society or organiza-
ton can demand its right to existence.
Many an organization has risen but to
fall because the principle it represented
was too slight to hold its own. On the
other hand, an idea may possess might
and power sufficient to ensure its con-
tinuing it's existence even though 1t
may not be represented by any organ
ization. The Universalist idea presents
striking instance of this fact. 1t Is
held from the earliest times in the Chris
tian church.
"In the early days of the church it
taught everlasting life. OF the six
theologians of the school one taught an
inhalation and four taught universal
salvation. The Universal idea was held
by the prominent fathers of the church.
notably so in the case of Clement, of
Rome, and Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa,
and all through the centuries that have
intervened there have been those who
cherished largely the same hope. If we
seek for the reason for this we find it
expressed as the subject of inborn
yearnings of the heart 1t is the feeling
which is deepest rooted i'm noble hearts,
|, o,,tf falt 4.
sire for a perfect harmony of the crea-
ton.
Tidings of Great Joy.
"As Uniyersalists we believe that
Universalism Is the Glad tidings of
great joy which shall be to all people
First, we believe that the Holy Scrip
lures of the Old and New Testaments
contain a revelation of the character
of God and of the duty, interest and
final destination of mankind Univer-
salism plants itself upon holy scripture
from Origen and his associates down to
the present time. Prominence given to
scriptural argument, instead OF philo-
sophcal argument, will demonstrate the
fact that the Universal church takes
the Scripture as the man of its counsel.
we believe Iiltut VNefe is ONle bOu,
whose nature is love, revealed in one
| Lord Jesus Christ. by one Holy Spirit
| of grace who will finally restore the
whole family of mankind to holiness
| and happiness.
We believe that true holiness and
true happiness are inseparably con-
| nected, and that believers ought to be
careful to maintain order and practice
good works, for those things are good
and profitable unto men.
What is the legitimate conclusion of
| these conceptions of God, Christ and
His Spirit? Universalism. If God is a
| being justly characterized as a God of
| love- If Christ is the Sent of God 20
impart the good tidngs of great joy; if
| the Holy Spirit comes to hearts of mer
refreshing and redeeming, THE legiti-
mate conclusion is that shese agencies
thus set in motion will accomplish their
purpose that i'm the universe there is
one God, one law, one element and One
far off Divine event toward which the
whole creation moves"