The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-16


sion, but how about the wisdom and
the work9 One-headed wisdom and
one-sided work are likely to fail,
but genuine all-around, altogether
work may fairly warrant success. Ii
were to commend dual subject for
all our prayers l should say, Let it
be common sense wisdom and sane
tilted work. We may be wise enough
and industrious enough, but have we
sufficient condensation and concen-
tration? The answer will be found
in the measure of our results.
am persuaded that good common
sense will tell us that we are
none too closely or well organized.
As we look over Christendom we
discover that the most prosperous
churches, prosperous though ham,
pered by great impediments of be-
lief weighing upon them, are or
ganized with consummate skill. The
machinery is elaborate and the de-
tail enormous, but they present many
opportunities for the expenditure of
energy, and the church sees that the
energy is not wanting. The profit
works both ways. For not only does
the movement of this mechanism
make for gain, but every one who
exerts himself to aid in that movement
consecrates himself by toll at the
altar of personal interest. See? The
powers that be are wise enough to OBJ
tain energy from the very great ma
iority of believers. One of our most
intelligent laymen said to me, when |
questioned him as to the future of
our church, "Look to the organization;
that point is vital" Let it be organ
lied thoroughly, but let it be thor
oughly democratic in representation.
Give us religious House of Com
mons rather than an extremely earthly
House of Lords.
Nor should we lose confidence in
our vested funds. Their accumula-
ton was an act of wisdom as it was of
sacrifice. I have no sympathy with
the brethren who would lead an at
tack upon our vaults and scatter the
contents east, west, north, south. l
am a stronger man with ten dollars
in my pocket than with ten cents.
Money in possession strengthens a
church. do not advocate boarding
in man or corporation, but good
credit is no detriment to either. We
should use our income and increase
it as much as possible, but keep our
funds intact, adding somewhat to
them each year that we may be pre-
pared for the emergencies which
await. 1t is plain to me that we have
had financiers in our midst when L
look at our accumulations. 1t may
not be charged against them either
that they have devoted themselves
entirely to the material equipment,
for they have been among the fore
most in all good works. Prudence
and enterprise in the gathering and
disbursement of funds will greatly
aid us in building for the future.
One in no wise forbids the other.
The hour is suspicious, and we are
invited upon every hand to move TO
ward. Opportunities press upon us.
We have sounded our faith until
it has gained the attention of the
world, and is fast winning its hsart.
The sound of our bugle-call seems to
have far out stripped those who have
sounded it. Why has there not been
a more eager following of this call to
advance? Is it because we have
stopped to parley?
Has private discussion taken the
place of public action? is there an
undue restlessness born of personal
ambition? Is there in our midst
gone-to seed individualism demand
ing egotistically self preferment? Or
is it noble discontent' Why do we
hesitate to move on altogether? The
way is wide, the course is clear. We
must unite all our forces and advance.
But what if much and valuable time
be wasted in making unity which
ought to already be ours? Who i'm
pedes the advance7 Brethren, it is
evident we are not moving forward as
we ought. Is there wish to over
turn9 Well, that can be done; but
what then! Overturning is not ac-
complishment. Our church will
call to strict account those who put
brakes upon our wheels if by so do
ing they cause an injurious halt. Bet
ter change drivers on the run with all
the attendant dangers, than to plot
dissension and work for a standstill
in order to change. Whoever drives,
be it we'll remembered, our people de-