The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-27
THE IDEAL CHURCH.
BY A. J. cANFIELD, D. D.

ALL the good wrought out in the o.
ganization OF society through centu-
ries of development might have been
lost had not the church been its grand
conserver, keeping the precious de-
posit for the ages to come. And all
that was achieved in the arts to
sweeted and beautify life was safely
kept for us of today. Now, when
thought is quickened in every direc-
ton, when inventions and discoveries
are reaching out into new regions, has
not the church its grandest opportu
mites to keep and utilize all for the
good of universal man?
The Church should be social force.
Every good of our nature has relation
to others. We may for time inten-
sify our thought and achieve results
by labor in solitude. We need to be
alone some portion of our lives. But
if we do not have contact with other
minds, we shall fail of the best re-
suits. Not for diversion or pleasure
merely, but for the complete develop
ment of ourselves, we must mingle
with others. Along the lines of
special activity are gains to be real
lied by comparison and competition
with others in the same lines. Then
the life forces are liberated and our
strength increased by the blending of
life with life in social communion.
Why should it be thought neces
sary to go outside the church for this7
Either because the church fails to
come up to its ideal position, or else,
because those outside are ignorant of
the help they might receive. Should
not every faculty, every need, be met
in the churchi Why should not the
church today be foremost to welcome
any new discovery of truth, or any
application of truth that has been al
lowed to lie as seed unusedi
Why should Truth, which is Christ,
have to fight its way outside and be
hindered and opposed by those for
whom it is meant, and, not even be
tolerated until long after the church
less world has accepted it, The ideal
church will recognize its position, and
claim its privilege of impartial inves-
tigation. 1t needs everything which
has in it the promise of good to man.
1t will have no fears that any power
can undermine it's foundations. 1t
will know that it is built upon an i'm
pregnable basis and that its right is
to possess earth and heaven. Christ
came "to reconcile all things to him
self, whether they be things on earth
or things in Heaven" Then why
not give to the church the best that
we have7 1t is the only firm that
will wisely invest what we place in
its keeping, and hold it for eternal
use. Have we not had enough of is
olated movements, running into ex-
cess, by reason of their isolationi
Why should truth need to take the
form of isms and divide and distract
the Christian world7 Does not this
paper represent church, large
enough, broad enough, to cover all
needsl And should not all that is
good find hospitable home, within
its spacious enclosure? All truth, all
reform, all science, all art, all appli-
ances to meet the growing capacity
and receptivity of humanityi This
paper will devote it's work in the di-
rection herein outlined. Without
bigotry, without cant, seeking the
best Heaven has to bestow. With
"malice toward none, with charity
for all" we will seek to do our read
ers all possible good.-S. PauPs
Parish Visitor.