The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-16

rors and turned away In disgust.
Something within him, as we often
heard him say, whispered of better
God. fairer justice, a sweeter mercy.
a stronger love and brighter hope.
He emphasized his protest by leaving
the revival and remaining away from
church. He was soon pointed at as
Universalist and boycotted by the
saints. There were many others who
sympathized with his protest and the
boycott failed. Of this kind of Uni
versalism he said, few years later,
it was mere negation and utterly
fruitless save as protest.
Yet a protest is something, and is
not, by any means, barren of influence
among the forces of human progress.
1t is as the woodman's axe clearing
the way for the plough. We may
say of the American Universalist
Dhurch that it began in orthodox
churches as protest against the hor-
rors of Calvinistic theology.
This was the young husbands
Protestant attitude for several years.
We shall see later on how the pos
tive forces of Christianity revolution
lied his life. But we must not lose
sight of the fact that his strong and
manly protest against error exerted
influence on himself as well as upon
others, and was as "John the Baptist
preparing the way of the Lord"
A few happy years were spent by
the young married couple in the
village of Auburn, when it was de-
cided to remove to Portland in the
western part Of the State of New
York.
The reasons for this removal were,
no doubt, to give healthful exercise
and profitable employment to grow
ing family of somewhat vigorous and
lively boys.
The plan worked well, and that old
farm and all about it, and all about
the simple neighborhood life, have
had much to do in bringing about
the glory of this day.
The father and mother wrought on
with patient courage in the new home.
The material fruits of the strong
mans efforts were sufficient for the
needs of daily life; and the genius of
the woman made the home beauti-
full.
Wheat, corn and potatoes, with
roses, geraniums and daffodils, were
considered of equal value in the home
life. Strength and beauty were ele-
ments in the object lessons ever be-
fore the children, exerting such in
fuences as refine the character and
elevate the ideals of life. Honesty
was enforced by the fathers example
and how to be honest graciously was
equally enforced by the mothers
sweet way of speech and manner.
Truth-telling was SO exalted among
the virtues that falsehood came to
be considered one of the most hate
full things in the world. The Sab
bath was respected and its sweet
hours of rest were opportunities for
parental instruction always i'm
proved.
Years of life under such moral and
refining influences rapidly sped away.
Numbers were added to the domestic
circle. The older boys were begin
ming to feel the ambitious enthusiasm
of youth. Lines of care were traced
upon the paternal brow. "What shall
we do for the children7" was a ques-
ton stirring anxious thoughts in the
hearts of both father and mother.
The sense of responsibility was
greatly deepened, and with this came
the prayer unvoiced, perhaps, but
real in desire for help. for the guild
ance of some power not their own,
some wisdom above themselves.
Sorrow had also been felt, two lit
tie babes had been laid away in the
church-yard, and questions of the
"Great Beyond" had come. Thus
were the conditions developed for the
reception of the most gracious relig-
ious influences which soon came
with quickening power.
Rev. Timothy G. Eaton, a Univer-
salist, extended his missionary field
into Chatauqua county, where he es-
tablished circuit which included
the neighborhood of the family, now
known as the village of Brocton.
Here he established regular monthly
meetings. Soon the entire commun-
ity was aroused. Not few from
other churches became regular at
tendants. The negative Universalists,
or those whose only right to the name
was their disbelief of the popular
r