The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-16
CONVENTION ADDRESS
THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL
IsT CHURCH.
BY REV. STEPHEN H. Robin.
Massachusetts

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wears are largely sealed book. We
NAV read the records which have
been written, but those which await,
who can tell of them' Appearances
are ever deceitful. Assured promises
oftentimes fail. Hopeful outlooks
have been known to grow suddenly
dark. Victory may seem very easy
in the morning and Waterloo befali
before the night.
1t is difficult to plan in such way
as to be sure of its execution. The
founders of Andover made ironclad
rules and took a mortgage on the
coming years. But what would those
worthless say if they could look upon
Andover now? Means and men and
probabilities are unsafe to rely upon.
These would have made certain the
continuation of the Roman Empire,
but when dark hours came they were
helpless, the empire was annihilated,
and is now but dot on the records
of history.
Man undertakes to gauge the GER
tainties and plan accordingly; he soon
learns that the plan of God brings
that of man to naught. The shaping
of the ages we think we see and grow
proud of our discernment. But pride
yanishes so soon as time brings its
changes, for what we were confident
we saw is entirely different from
what is.
The Universalist Church has flu
ture l feel very positive; but is it
within the province of any of us to
say what that future is to bel Our
desires are probably quite identical,
as also our prayers, for our beloved
Church; and could we frame its des-
tiny according to these then would a
very bright and pleasing forecast be
ours. But we must not forget that
others have desired and prayed as
we'll as we, and have not entered into
the realizations of their hopes.
Yet the case is not entirely beyond
us. indicate the difficulties and I'M
certainties that we may not fail to
note them. There are assurances
which we may we'll rely upon. Not
always will they make certain what
we long for and what we toll for,
but they invariably point to more
and better than we see. Ii we put
our lives into the life of the world, if
we exert thought and energy and love
for the advancement of man, we may
be sure of an impress which will not
fade. AS we groove and build into
the foundations of righteousness we
shall find an enduring abiding place.
As we reach up and clasp the hand
of the good God there need be no
fear that our work shall fail or we
fall. By building upon the rock OF
love and truth we place ourselves in
such position of mighty vantage that
wind and rain and wave may assail,
but their assault will be harmless,
their destructiveness vain.
This is not saying that the Univer-
salist Church will achieve great vic
tories in the near future or in the re-
mote future. 1t is not saying that the
Uniyersalist Church will exist in
name even when the remote future is
at hand. 1t is simply the promise
that its work will not be without its
lust effect. And we, as ambassadors
of God, must not fail to take the
high ground that for this end we are
ready and willing to labor and suffer
reproach. Such work and warfare as
we now indicate are not of the sort
that will permit one to enter upon
them because of the particular name
he wears, nor allow him to close his
work if that name be taken away. The
earnest, large minded, consecrated
man must needs enter into the con-
iict and abide till the victory be won
and righteousness be set in the
world though every flag be tattered
and all names obliterated.
Still believe there is future for
our cause and future for our name.
Were not this my conviction would
be a most unhappy man tonight.
With you my soul is full of the work
of our beloved church, and its name
is sacred to my heart. Wherever |
see our work going on and our stan
dard floating high, the pulses of my
life are quickened-God seems near.
The messages of today are full of
hope for us. The past has not been
in vain. The names of our fathers
are treasured-their work extolled
more and more. The present is aus
picious. We have noble men in our
ranks today. Hope is in all our
haorfS and the alnpOard is not ham