The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-19

in youth and continuing through
after life as a religious habit and
duty. Iwould not decry enthusiasm,
for we need it. We need the rushing
mighty wind of the Spirit to stir our
hearts; we need the roaring blasts to
break off the dead branches and scat
ter the dead leaves. But we need
also soft breathings of the south
winds of Spring to draw the sap out
of dormant roots, to call forth bud
and leaf and flower; and we need, too,
the warmth of the long summer to
ripen the fruit. We have made a
grand beginning in Japan, but only
beginning. The door there is now
wide open to us and other doors will
be open. Shall we go forward and
enter? The time is ripe for the work,
and shall we not do it? Brethren,
the Japan mission will not fail But
the little lamp that has been lighted
and burns alone in the far East must
not lack for oil and care at our
hands.
1t is a mistake to think that God
needs our help. He could reveal
himself to the whole world without
our aid. 1t is his work and he will
| do it in his own time and way.
But we have been called to be
"laborers together with God," and
shall we refuse the honor? He would
let us know by experience some of
the joy that his own work brings to
him, and shall we neglect SO great a
privilege?
God has revealed to our church a
great truth-the greatest ever given
to man, and what are we doing with
it? Each layman who believes in
Universalism should ask himself that
question. Lay aside excessive mod
esty. Who are we to think of self or
to calculate what others will think |?
to keep silent or remain inactive when
we feel that the Spirit has called us
to work or given us word to utter?
Let us not load up our work for Uni
versalism with side issues; they dis
tract and keep us back, as a people.
We do not need SO much to build up
a system of theology, complete, sym
metrical and cold, as we need power
to bring home to the hearts of men
knowledge of the love of God and of
a Universal Saviour. The whole
truth is too large to be covered by
any system. We can but see glimps-
es of it here and there; but that which
has been given to us,-and God has
honored us above others by the revela-
ton made to us and to our fathers
that let us believe with the whole
heart, live for and proclaim, nothing
doubling that it will spread and grow
in power, that in Gods own time it
will fill the whole earth. Let us use
common sense,-a quality in which
Universalists are strong-give our
best thought to the work with mind
always open to receive new light; get
instruction from men and events; but
when all this has been done and we
are still at loss and the way is OBJ
scure, we should pray. Pray in faith,
nothing doubling, ready to move
where the Spirit leads and our prayer
will be answered; and we shall be led,
step by step, to do successful work
for Jesus Christ.
Common sense is good philosophy,
and learning and the wisdom of the
world, but these are not enough. We
need more; we need the inspiration
and fire of the spirit of God in our
hearts that they may glow with
personal love for Jesus Christ, the
ever loving and universal Saviour.
He is waiting patiently for our slow
hearts; waiting to lead us after him.
To each one of us he speaks: "Come
beloved, lay thy hand in mine and
come with me and l will show thee
wonderful things" And we answer:
Lead, gracious Saviour, lead the way
Be thou our Guide from day to day;
Great Conqueror, let us share with thee
Thy universal victory.