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

manifested that purpose through
Jesus Christ, his son. Every man is
capable of being saved; is worth
saving; and God has power to save
him. Therefore, every man will be
saved, or else God trifes with hu-
mainly and neglects to use his power.
He had definite plaza purpose
in creating man. To say that was
not a good purpose, the very best
purpose, would be to ascribe to God
a character any thing but exalted. 1t
would make of him a monster if he
foreordained the creature to be end
lessly miserable. If, on the other
hand, he purposed mans salvation
and happiness, but man by his choice,
refuses to be saved, Gods power is
limited: he is dethroned, robbed of
his Deity! The creature is mightier
than the Creator and the universe is
without Godl If the creature does
not attain unto the end designed by
the Creator, Gods work is a failure.
The only consistent view of the
matter is that God wills the highest
good for his creatures, and that he is
powerful enough to accomplish his
will. The highest good in man con-
sists in his being good; happiness
and place will always depend upon
this state; but when this condition
is acquired, through persistent effort
and constant growth, heaven-divine
peace-will fill every heart, and God
will be "all in ALL"
This is a theology which does not
violate the spirit of the Scriptures.
This is philosophy which conforms
to all the laws of thought. This is a
religion which satisfeth the yearnings
of the soul and the reasonings of
mans mind. 1t is religion Of the
head and of the heart. This we call
Universalism. Its father, the God of
love. It's mother, man S reason. Con-
ceived in the mind of the Eternal,
born with the consciousness of man,
its purpose, to diffuse the spirit of it's
great advocate, Jesus of Nazareth, in
the hearts and daily lives Of men; to
emphasize the responsibility of every
creature; to cement the race together
by bond of brotherhood; to teach
the awfulness of sin and to show that
punishment will surely follow; to
subordinate earth to heaven, fear to
love. 1t announces in tones to be
heard by the inner consciousness
the seat of authority in religion-that
in the economy of Gods universe,
there is an eternal better" ever await
ing us. 1t strives to bring this ''bet-
ter" about by making men better
now. "Now is the day of salvation"
T. does not try SO much to save men
from future punishment as from pres
ent sin. With an occasional glance
into the glories of the future, it en-
deavors to make the present glorious.
1t appeals to men from a high point
of view to life of righteousness. It
relegates hate and fear and beseeches
with love. 1t says, Do right, be right.
think right, because it is right, not
because you wish to escape torments
after death, nor to receive a reward in
the future. The first is principle;
the latter policy. The one divine,
the other human. 1t says "man's
own undying moral nature, which is
part of the moral order of the crea-
ton, can have no place until he sees
what is best for him, Voluntarily
and joyfully espouses it, and thereby
becomes at one with Cod"
Universalism proclaims that heaven
and hell are not places but conditions
of the mind; that total depravity is
not only false but mischievous
doctrine; that vicarious atonement
removes the responsibility of sin from
man, and therefore should not be
taught; that there is no personal
Devil to divide the sovereignty of
the universe with God; that punish
ment is disciplinary and will last as
long as sin continues or the good of
man requires it. Punishment is not
an end in itself but a means to an
end. 1t is purifier. 1t is inflicted
with loving hand, and it will be the
instrument which will hasten the time
when all the children will love God
with all their mind, soul and strength
and their neighbor as themselves.
This the Universalist belief, and faith,
and hope. A faith that is rational
and Biblical; that has a beautiful con-
ception of the whole creation and Of
God its supreme ruler; faith that
elevates man to an exalted and right
full position as child of God; faith
that firmly believes in the efficacy of
love toameliorate all suffering and to
overcome all crime; a faith which