The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-06

gave US TWO me, tlmely SERMONS. dm
glad to learn from Mrs. Crum that an
attempt is to be made at once to replace
the old Universalist church at Webster
City with a nice new structure. A
building committee has been appointed
to take the matter in hand"
CEDAR RAPIDS. A PRELUDE.
1.-THE occasion for saying the enclosed
words" writes Rev. J. H. Palmer, of
Cedar Rapids, land gave them to my
people Sunday, May "a, was an invita-
ton to attend reception given in hon.
or of the new Secretary of the Young
Women's Christian Association. AS
this invitation came not long after the
rejection of Mrs. E. d. Brown, as the
candidate for the office of President
squarely on the ground that the Associ-
alton did not recognize liberals as
Christians it gave an opportunity to
define our position. The little prelude
to my sermon was the occasion of little
comment, both adverse and approving,
and some of my people desired to see it
in print
YOUNG wOMEN's CHRISTIAN AssOCIA-
TON.
L wish to say word regarding this
invitation, the more especially because
am requested to make the notice en-
phatic." l do as matter OF justice to
this church, and as personal friend of
the lady who is to be the hostess on
this occasion. For all purposes, save
pecuniary ones, we are, to the Y. VIC.
A. religious aliens. 1t is a body in
which we have no vote; cannot hold Of
flee; we cannot even belong to it. Clara
Barton couldn't belong to it, nor Mrs.
Llvermore. nor Julia Ward Howe, nor
Laura Ormiston Chant. The woman
foremost in this city in all Christian
work, the sweet mother of all the
children gathered into the Orphans
home, Mrs. G. F. Van Vechten, could
not belong to it. Neither can the
woman belong to it who is at the
cad OF the associated charities in this
city, and whose reputation reaches far
beyond the limits of Iowa as leader in
organized charitable effort; woman
whom this city is proud to send as it's
representative to the Worlds Conven-
ton OF Charities. l refer, of course, to
Mrs. E. d. Brown, because both of them
m ~ o1 t., h.
thought Of this organization, in which
it is copy of the Y. M. G. A., the Uni
tartan, Universalist, Roman Catholic
and Swedenborgian are not considered
Christians. any more than are Col. In
gersoll, Felix Adler or DIR. Hirsch.
We can pay our money, go to be prayed
for, as can the pool seller. the grain
broker, the distiller. We can obtain the
secular advantages secured by these
associations. whatever they may be, and
they will call us associate members, but
nothing more, or further. They desire
our money; that is not wicked, but we
are. Now, know that some good peo-
pie say "it makes no difference SO long
as good is accomplished" but l submit
that matter of religious honor is at
stake when we accept any invitations
like this. At the least, in accepting
them, we tacitly admit that the charges
made against us of our irreligious char
acter are true, and that we are deserving
| of the treatment that we habitually
receive at their hands.
Let it be distinctly understood that
we pass no criticism upon the conduct
or usages OF the young Christians of
either sex. and that we have no quarrel
with them. We are not very solicitous
that they may think we'll or i'll of US.
We are solicitous concerning the preser.
walton of our own dignity and self re-
spect. We do not adversely criticise
those who find themselves unable to
rise to the altitude of religious affirm
alton that we habitually enjoy. and we
recognize the fact that lack of faith on
the part of others in the nearness of God
and the unity and worth OF man, is no
reason for our assumption of airs of SUI
perior holiness; but we do say, that I'M
less we can be considered in all matters
simply as men and women seeking to
know the truth, and not with reference
to our cult, we prefer not to be consid-
cred at all. People are free to separate
themselves from US for any reason they
may deem proper or for no reason. We
acknowledge the right Of every person
to do toward himself in all matters of
religion as to him seemeth best, and no
man has any right to call him to account;
but we demean ourselves and insult the
integrity of our own conscieuces when,
for the filling of quasi social function,
the enjoyment Of little hour, to satisfy
an idle curiosity, or to accomplish a
possible temporary good. we accept an
invitation to go anywhere. or to engage
in any act that brings with it the stigma
of moral inferiority, ard discredits, by
the least shadows weight. our high
ideal of the religion universal.
PROPOSED SUMNER ASSEMBLY.
At the Iowa Ministerial Conference
at Usage, arrangements were made for
a grand assembly and convention OF
| aal oil o,,v:lsoux,