The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-03
UNITARIANISM.

UNITARIANISM.
In recent issue of THE News was
printed in full sermon preached by
Rev. NAPOLEON HoAGLAND, in which
he took occasion to define Unitarianism,
not by an exhaustive theological treatise
on the subject, but in such language and
with such limitations as would be pre-
scribed and measured in a Commute
discourse to congregation.
We have no doubt the sermon was
read with interest by our readers,
especially in view of the general interest
awakened by the printing of the state
ment of faith made by an able Christian
minister of the Congregational faith the
other day. AS we observed at that time
we should like very much to record in
our columns the expositions of belief as
made authoritatively by ministers of
every sect, creed or denomination, and
we are sure these would have wide
spread interest.
AS we understand Unitarianism,
apart from the principle of the unity
as distinguished from the trinity"
Of the orthodox faith, Unitarians are
strong on works and subordinate what
the orthodox mean when they speak or
faith. While it is not held that every
one who behaves himself and who
practices the golden rule is
Unitarian, the Unitarians hold
to the opinion that such an
one follows an essential precept Of the
Unitarian Church, and has all the really
necessary qualifications for share in
the bliss of the life beyond the grave
The minister whose sermon we printed
states that morality is zone essential ele-
ment in the kernel of Unitarian doc
trine," the inference being that it is
about the chief one. In other
words, works without faith are
preferable in the Unitarian view, 10
faith without works--a doctrine that
has led persons of other ideas to charge
Unitarianism with being no better than
infidelism or atheism, and we believe it
is true that Unitarianism has no more
quarrel with "unbelievers" than it has
with believers" insisting only that by
their works shall all be judged. Uni
tarians, as set forth by Mr.. HoAGLAND,
do not believe that the wrath Of God
will be vented on any of Gods children
simply because they are lacking IN what
is called faith or have not learned the
catechism. The Bible is regarded by
Unitarians as piece of literature de-
signed rs a "guide to the thought of
mans relation to God as a spiritual and
moral being" and they do not believe
strict belief in every episode and in
cident printed in it, and do not accept
il as the last word of revelation. The
Unitarians believe that we walk with
God here on earth quite as much as we
shall beyond the grave. The essential
meaning OF the "unity" as opposed to
the ''trinity" of God is another way Of
expressing the belief that God is multi
plicity. that there are not three or any
number of Gods, but there is one
God of whom alb the world il
n part, that the Saviour was but one of
us all, sons of God in common-a super.
ior man but not removed beyond the
possibility of the development Of other
men TO his state OF perfection, and the
Unitarians believe that the revelation of
God as often related in the Bible is not
the only nor the last revelation.
but that God is revealing himself
TO man in every moment Of existence
that he did not so reveal himself "to
some of his children thousands Of years
ago and remain dumb ever since" but
that the "divine voice still speaks 90
those who have souls 20 hear" And
that, furthermore, the life beyond the
crave is continuation of the develop
ment Of the life here on earth rather
that a jump into an immediate hell or
an immediate hsaven.
Unitarianism oAers an attractive
faith 10 thousands and the Unitarian
cLurch exercises its Lenefcent influence