The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-08

of the Convention program desire
me to answer the question, What is
Distinctive Universalism? My ans
wer must be a bare statement.
Please accept this as my thought
upon the theme.
I. (o). God one; absolutely indi-
visible; personal; immanent. All
other personality and power subordl-
nate to him-his individuality doml-
mating all other individuality in the
universe. He has no equal-no rival
o. God, infinite in fact as well
as name-a absolute Lord OF the uni
verse. None other can dispute his
rule-none beside him claim any au-
thority. All other beings are entirely
subject to him. He does not divide
his supremacy. He is "God over
ALL" "Of him and through him and
to him are all things" No satanic
power can boast itself of having
thwarted his designs, or directed the
tendencies of things toward itself.
All things are toward God and none
of them toward a devil. "Io him
are all things"
(c) His infnity assures unlimited
power. He can do just what pleases
him. HE doeth his will in the armies
of heaven and among the inhabitants
of the earth" He is not thwarted
in any desire or purpose. "Whatso-
ever his soul desireth that he also
doeth." He can keep his promises,
execute his designs.
(d.) His infnity also assures I'M
limited wisdom. Therefore whatever
are his purposes they are in accor-
dance with infinite, heavenly wisdom.
Not infinite, not earthly, not human,
but infinite, God-lik wisdom; Wis
dom that sees what is highest and
best; sees "the end from the begin
ing and from ancient times the
things not yet DONE" Whose "coun-
sells shall stand" Yes, stand. 1t is
not dependent on contingency-does
not have to compromise with evil
is not forced to expedients to make
it's counsels stand = sees clear
through from beginning to end-does
not get confused, nor entangled, nor
perplexed, nor disturbed, nor dis
couraged through opposition or in
reference from any other power. Is
calm and assured in the face of re-
yolt-knows how to meet every en-
ergency-holds absolute control
keeps unswervingly to its object.
God is in short wise with all wisdom
as he is strong with all strength.
(e.) Infinite in power and wisdom,
he is equally SO in holiness. Holiness
-wholeness-that is the root idea.
Wholly pure, wholly upright, wholly
lust, wholly good. All true God
like elements uniting in such per-
feet proportions as to make per-
feet unity of character. No one ele-
ment overbalancing or dominating
another. One not opposed to nor
subduing another. Justice not domi-
mating mercy, nor mercy hinderlng
Justice. His justice does not blind
him to mercy, nor mercy hinder his
administration of clear justice. His
holiness is Wilderness indeed. 1t is
rounded and untarnished. Passion,
prejudice, unreason, i'll purpose have
no place in his character or action,
much less sin-nothing in short that
bears the semblance of evil.
(f.) This infinite holiness-whole-
ness, perfection - assures that his
purposes and desires are holy; that
thew must have Wilderness, round
ness, completeness about them
that is infinitely perfect. Not par
tial, not limited, not constrained by
anything, not dictated by anything,
not swayed by anything save the
pure, unbounded wisdom, power and
goodness of his nature; but prompt
ed by these in unreserved fullness
and infnity. This purpose, this desire
as relates to mankind, to be perfect,
to harmonic with his holiness, to
commend his wisdom, to honor his
power, must conceive, long for and
accomplish, one universal, divinely
exalted, holy, gracious, blessed end;
an end that has perfect unity,
roundness, tullness, completeness in
all respects wherein moral and
spiritual consummation can consist.
Not divided end, not partial nor in
complete, not broken, nor hindered,
nor defeated, but an infinitely wise
and benevolent design, carried to an
infinitely perfect accomplishment;
an infinitely holy and tender de-
sire satisfied with an infinite salts
faction.
II. (a) This infinite God-all-