The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-14

the subject OF UnlNeISdlloh 0no'
might be able to lead others to see it
as | do. Yet to be eloquent as some
count eloquence, to be eloquent to
such degree as to lose sight of the
truth, and let the imagination soar
far beyond the confines of truth, is
not desirable. 1t seemed to me that
the sermon we listened to the other
night was of this order. While claim
ing to be presentation of the doc
trine of Universalism, it was carl
cature of that doctrine. Our Method
ist brother said we had good argu-
ments in support of our doctrine but
weak proof. I failed to see either ar
gument or proof in this discourse in
tended to show the falsity of our
doctrine. He said that although we
had strong argument, they were
without foundation, like the house
built upon the sand. We claim that
we have good foundation for all that
we offer in the name of Universalism,
''the foundation of the prophets and
the apostles, Jesus Christ being the
chief corner stone"
Mr.. Stokesbury said that he liked
Universalists but he hated Universal
ism, yet his hatred is for doctrine
that teaches only good tidings OF
great joy that shall be to all people"
1 often think that the words of Paul
are peculiarly applicable to us as
denomination, when he said 'For we
both labor and suffer reproach be-
cause we trust in the living God, who
is the Saviour Of all men, specially OF
those that believe" and feel that we
have often need to pray to theFather
to take from our heart all bitterness
toward those who ridicule and mis-
represent our doctrines. Yet | am
glad to note that this feeling of pre-
JUDGE against our church is wearing
away, and in a great measure over
come, in places where our doctrine is
best known and understood. AS an
illustration of this let me tell you
something about our church in Gales
burg, Ill. The Universalists of Gales
burg last year furnished and dedi-
Gated beautiful and commodious
church, an edifice costing $25 900.
Galesburg is also the seat of Lom-
bard University, Universalist insti-
tuition. 1t would seem that long
acquaintance with our people and our
doctrine has had a tendency to over
come the feeling of prejudice against
them as a denomination. At the
laying of the corner stone of this
church several of the ministers from
the orthodox churches of the city as
sisted in the services, among them
the pastor of the M. E. church of that
place. In closing an address that he
made on that occasion he, in the name
of his church, babe the Universalists
God-speed in their undertaking of
making men better and truer and
purer and more God like, and prom
ised them his aid in this work. So it
would seem that this minister, al
though a pastor in the M. E. church
has no hatred for Universalism.
Rev. Mr.. Stokesbury made the
assertion that according to the Uni
versalist belief "the Almighty is the
real devil in the universe" for Uni
versalists make him responsible for
all the sin and suffering that has
come into the world, yet profess great
admiration for the love and justice
of God. Universalists do profess
great admiration for the love and
Justice of God. We reverence him as
being infinite in power and wisdom.
We believe that he has dominion over
this world, also over the one beyond
the grave. According to our belief
this is not the DEVILS world but Gods
world. In the words of ]. G.. Hol-
land, in his poem, "Bitter Sweet"
''God is almghty-al-b
And naught exists save by his loving will.
Evil or what we reckon such. exists,
And not against his will; Else the Supreme
Is subject, and we have in place of God
A phantom nothing. with phantom name.
ri r NH "a orfain
That evil live. or whether he permit"
The world is filled with sin and
suffering, but according to our be-
lief they are only means to an end and
over and above all we recognize the
Divine presence. The Bible tells US
"Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth,
even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth" and Now no Christening
for the present seemeth to be joyous,
but grievous; nevertheless afterward
it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby"
Suffering is by him used as
means of discipline. As the gardener
uses the knife to improve the objects