The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-18
BY REV. j. p. MAGICIAN. PHI. ID.
INVESTIGATION has demonstra

INVESTIGATION has demonstra
ted that man in all ages of the
world has sought to worship being
that is greater than himself. This is
not ONLY manifested in his literary re-
mains, whether preserved in his dis
sertations or in the significance OF
certain words, but also in the monu-
ments made of earth and stone, found
almost all over the entire surface OF
the earth, some of which are the only
memorials existing of the projectors,
silently affirming religion which
can only be known through the most
careful study-debased it may be,
yet struggling for better view OF the
Creator of all
1t is not the intent to treat OF the
former phases of religious expression,
or to treat Of the gradual unfolding
of religious truth from its inception
in the human consciousness to itsfull
development in the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ. Nor need the multi
form phases of modern times demand
special attention. Not that they are
unworthy of consideration, but be
cause our thoughts must be specially
drawn to that phase illustrated by
the Saviour of Man.
No one age can claim to be more
religious than another. 1t is true
there have been paroxysms of rellg-
ious awakenings which have sharp
ened the conscience on particu ar
themes or social conditions, yet the
great emotional power has remained
substantially the same. In this view
it is recognized that there has been a
change in the intellectual concep-
lions. and indeed, many revolutions
have blessed the earth. The history
of the Christian church, and espe-
cially of the Protestant branch, has
presented series of surprises, all of
which have been Of untold advantage
in the progress of man. Indeed, the
civilization of man is measured by
his views of the Creator and the Gre
ated.
A cry was heard in the wilderness
of Judea arousing the people to re-
ligious revolution. The time was
then at hand when the true worship
ers should worship the Father in
spirit and in truth. The people were
invited to the most radical revolution
in religious views and expression re-
corded in the annals of time. The
Mosaic dispensation, with the forms
and ceremonies, was passing away,
and the establishing of the Christian
dispensation, with its spiritual wor-
ship. was at hand. The revolution
was in progress and the Light was
already in the world. John was but
the forerunner who prepared the way
for the mightiest, the most spiritual,
the profoundest of religious teachers.
I. The Teachings of Christ.
The revolution under the teachings
of Jesus of Nazareth related not only
to broader conceptions OF God and
His moral government of the world
but also to mans conduct in life.
Man was to be placed on a higher,
broader plane of moral and spiritual
existence. His moral consciousness
was to be aroused, he was invited to
a purer, nobler conception OF life
and it's environments. His teachings
were the zephyrs of truth breathed
from heaven ennobling the emotions
of our better natures and energizing
such latent forces as should appeal
to the better life. What are these
noble teachings? We find them
summed up in the Sermon on the
Mount; and in his discourses to his
disciples they may be found. In his
theological teachings, God is the
Father of all; God is spirit; we are
to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
a. The apostle Paul.
The apostle gave summary of the
teachings of Christ. Paul the the
ologian of Apostolic times thus terse
ly expresses Christian doctrines: Il
exhort therefore, that first of all, sup
plications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all
men; for kings, and for all that are
in authority, that we may lead quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty. For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour; who will have all men to
be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth. For there
is one God, and one mediator be-
tween God and men, the man Christ
Jesus, who gave himself ransom for
all, to be testified in due time
q Tim. ii. 1-6) "One Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and