The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-05


probably shall preach"
The philosophical difficulty, il there
be one, is just as great with the Presby
terian, with his foreordination, or the
Methodist, with his fore-knowledge, as
with the Universalist. They should set.
tie it in their own case before they pro
pound it to us.
Divine Sovereignty and Free-will.
DIR. Worden one evening said he would
not condemn any man but he "took great
comfort in the thought that no man
could get into an endless hell until he
had successfully over-ridden the love of
God, who would do all he could to save
him."
Ireplied. II agree with you and too
take great comfort in that thought, and
inasmuch as the love of God is infinite
while man is but finite, l feel pretty con-
fident as to the result. | believe in the
sovereignty and infniteness of God.'
EYES," he replied, "but is there rot in our
hearts something that tells us we may
successfully resist even God himself?"
"Yes," ! replied, experience tells me 1
may, for time, SO long as he permits, re-
sist, but no longer. There is nothing
in my heart that tells me / am greater
than the Infinite" Yes" he said. "there
is the difference; we Methodists begin
with the doctrine of the free will Of man."
YES" | returned you begin not only
which we also beieve-but with the
assumption of the infinite free-will of
man, in which we do not believe. Man
has free will but not infinite free will
for they there can not be two infinites in
the universe. God alone is great;
God alone is infinite. The place for
theology to begin is with God-not with
the assumption of the infnitude of any
mere man."
These conferences have all been con-
Quoted with the best spirit of fairness on
both sides and even though converts
should not be made, we have clear assur-
ances that prejudice will be softened and
trains of thought started that can only
result in good. find every where great
misapprehension of Christian Univer-
salism; nor upon mature reflection should
this fact be so surprising to us as it often
appears to be. We are not numerous
or strong as an organized body, nor as
such are we widely distributed; we are
not more justly and adequately present
ed, even by our own representatives, than
other denominations are by theirs; and
though we occupy necessarily so large
place in our own interest, our place in
the attention and interest of the great
masses of the people is net SO great as in
our own. They are busy about their
own work and pass us by, not stopping
to enquire very particularly what we be-
lieve. nor caring.
And are not most of us SO as regards
others? Many holding erroneous no.
tions of us do not care to come in con-
tact with us, yet find when they do be-
come acquainted with us, that the things
which we hold are those which they too
are cherishing. o that we as a Church.
as advocates of the great truths of the
Gospel, might more fifty represent it,
more adequately set it forth; not in
spirit of sarcasm, antagonism and pride
over our supposed superiority but in
the spirit of love and kindness, of for
bearance and patience; in the spirit of
Christ the Master whom we profess to
love and follow.
Hearts are longing for the Gospel who
know not where to find it. They know
not that we possess it. Let us advertise
what we possess, and try to DO our part
to feed hungering souls with the bread
OF fife and not with stones.
wish to thank all the friends, in clos
ing, who so kindly sent letters and
t t.legrams expressive of good will and
sympathy on our departure. Remember
us in your prayers that we may not prove
unworthy through neglect of the high
commission which we bear; and while We
are doing all we can to push the work in
Japan, may all the Universalists in
America be doing all they can to advance
the Gospel in America and in all lands
until the Universalist Gospel shall be
come the universal Gospel.