The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-14
THE NEW-OLD GALL ON THE
CHURCH.


WE hear anew in this time, as
Christianity has frequently heard in
the past, that the Christian church
must prove itself sympathetic to all
demands made upon it in the inter-
est of the practical and humanitarian
truths of the Christian religion. 1t
must rise to the need of humanity
and the interests Of the race that Chris
tianity proposes to save. The church
must identify itself with the pro-
gressive and meliorating influences
of an advanced order of society, of an
expanding and uplifting civilization,
and the evolution of the higher and
nobler elements that give hope and
promise for the future of the world.
All this is true, but the emphasis
with which it is sometimes asserted
overIooks the fact that Christianity
has always been determining factor
10 the worlds history since its appear
ance; and the Christian church has
done more to incarnate its principles
in human society than any other
agency. But we meet this assertion
of the duty of the church without any
question as to the consistency of the
appeal. 1t is true that the church
must stand in this busy and ardent
age for no meager interests or mar
row policy. Unjust be as broad and
inclusive as the truth committed to
its charge.
1t must be hospitable to the times,
give its welcome to all questions of
the hour surcharged with human in
terests, meet our practical era with
practical issues, but it does not fol-
low that it must welcome and en-
dorse every form of human specula-
ton which comes asking its approval,
nor yet yield credence to every voice
that cries, "Lo here! or Lo there!"
and promises the universal solvent
for the ills of humanity. There are
enough demands in harmony with
the we'll established principles of
Christianity that can be met and ap-
piled in our daily life, without giving
attention to many Of the doubtful
things proposed for the advancement
of society in this uneasy and restless
age.
We may, however, give our full
and free endorsement to the main
contention of those who plead for a
wider recognition on the part of the
church of the huma nitarian needs of
our time. The age assuredly de-
mands the application of great moral
principles to the every day life of the
world. 1t pleads wisely and elo-
quently in behalf of nobler order o.
sentiment, increased interest in hui
manitarian work, and in favor of a
broad and catholic administration of
the fundamental principles of Chris
tianity's message to the world, allied
with the lessons of history and the
lights of established science.
The church that would attract the
suffrages of the people who are striv-
ing with the grave problems of life
and civilization, must give broad
welcome to those who are engaged in
the great strife. 1t must be interest.
ed and helpful, sympathetic with all
legitimate reform, and work ever in
holy enthusiasm for humanity to
advance the kingdom of God in this
world. 1t must recognize in Chris
tianity that flexibility and adaptation
for which it is remarkably noted. 1t
must bring Christ to the time as he
would come if he were to appear on
our planet in this nineteenth century.
1t must not compromise religion but
so fashion it in spirit and force that
it shall be ever new grace and power
in human society.
If Christianity be apprehended
and applied in this way, all it's be-
levers and helpers will become fell
low builders with Christ in the
living structure or edifice of all souls,
and the church will assume a new
strength and greater social and
spiritual power, and become larger
help to God and Christ in redeeming
mankind from error and sin, thus
opening a wider pathway and
more traversed avenue to the heaven
ly realms.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF UNIVERSALISM.