The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-28

this earth is a globe instead of fiat
institution, around which all other
planets revolve.
There is danger in men possessing
SO much of material things. They
are apt to set their affections upon
the things that they possess, rather
than the Giver of those possessions.
1t is said in support of the theory
of men being more grateful in form
er times than we are, that our fore
fathers read the Bible more than we
do, and this evidences greater de-
gree of reverence. But am not GER
tain of this. Grant that the Bible
was read often by our ancestors, this
would hardly prove that they were
more thoughtful of God. In consid
ering this point it will be we'll to real
ize that up to the time Of Richard II.
1377-1399-there was no English,
Bible in manuscript form. The great
mass of the people could not read
syllable of it-they would not have
been allowed to read it if they had
been able. About this time Wycliffe,
rector of Lutterworth, and lecturer at
Oxford, translated the Scriptures into
English. The work was copied and
circulated. Printing was not at this
time in use The cost of the manu-
script was SO great that the rich only
could buy the complete volume.
Many farmers gave wagon-load of
farm produce for few favorite chap
ters. After they had bought them
they had to read them under lock and
key.
Benjamin Franklin says in his au-
TOPOGRAPHY, that his great-grand-
father, who lived in England in
Queen Mary's reign, owned an Eng
lish Bible. The penalty for reading
the English Scriptures at this time
1553-1558, or offering Protestant
prayers, was death by fire. Between
Mary and her husband, Philip H., of
Spain, England and Holland were
kept covered with graves of Protest
ants who had been tortured and put
to death or buried alive, by tens of
thousands. Mr.. Franklin kept his
Bible open and fastened it under a
stool. When he wished to read it he
would place the stool upside down
on his knees, turning the pages un-
der the tape as he read them. He
invariably kept one of the children
watching at the door to give the alarm
in case anyone approached.
Men of today do not believe the
same things that their ancestors be-
lieved; but they believe as much; as
wisely; as we'll. Ballou Wesley and
Whitefeld did not accept the entire
catechism of their fathers. We honor
them for it today, even though they
had to withstand the prosecutions of
their contemporaries. So l believe
that even though the men of this age
embrace broader and more rational
views of God and man, they are
as truly religious as many of their
ancestors who stood, within their
hands the fagot and the torch, ready
to force men to confession of their
opinions.
There have been infidels in all ages.
We cannot consistently ask them to
thank God for anything. A man must
feel his dependence upon God in
order to feel sense of gratitude. If
you lose your belief in the personal
ity of God you will not be among
those who give Him thanks. There
is no sense in asking a man to be
grateful to a mere force, or a first
cause. Ibelieve in first cause; but
a mere belief in this cannot call forth
my gratitude and praise. Unless l
could believe in an all wise, benevo-
lent, personal Being who cares not
only for me, but for every man whom
| believe to be his child and my
brother, l could not stand before
you today with praise and thanks
giving in my heart.
One of mans greatest reasons for
thanksgiving is life. Life is the
crowning gift of God. 1t has been a
tendency of all ages to disparage life,
and question whether it is worth liv-
ing. l believe that no greater affront
can be offered to our Maker. Even
Job spoke and said, "Let the day
perish wherein / was born"
Mans happiness does not consist in
the abundance of his possessions; for
ITO count mans wealth,
You must first know the condition
of his mind and his health"
A gentleman once said to Mr. Roths-
child, "You must be a very happy
man with all your millions" The
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