The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-29


ness, and find ourselves wearied and
Disguised with the pursuit, and then,
in some unexpected way, in time
and occasion unsought, have enjoyed
from some simple cause that unal
Logged delight of which in vain we had
been in search so long. We are
longing, and forever signing
| For the far-off, unattained and dim,
While the beautiful all around us lying,
Offers up Its low. perpetual hymn"
Now, from the construction of
Paul's language we see that he held
the quality simplicity, as applied to
moral and spiritual truth, in high
esteem, for he tells his correspond
ents that it is in moral truth, as in
nature and art, simplicity sim
plicity that is in Christ" that is all
important. Hence he says: "But I
fear, lest by any means, as the SER
pent beguiled Eve, through his SUBJ
tlety, so your minds should be cor
rupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ"
How fully was this exhibited in his
department, and in his teachings, in
all he taught, in all he did, in all he
was.
The precepts, doctrines, and truths
enunciated by the author of Chris
tianity are marked by this trait We
find in them no enigmas, no mystical
labyrinths of metaphysical specula-
ton, no attempt at puzzling the in
tellect, or confounding the mind, or
confusing the heart.
False teachers rarely, if ever, ex-
hibit this grace. Plato, with all his
matchless wisdom cannot simplify
his truths to the comprehension of
minds of humble capacity. We must
be disciplined thinkers before we can
appreciate Plato. Swedenborg comes
to us with, professedly, new reve-
lation, which he declares adapted to
all human beings, in all possible cir
cumstances; and yet, when we read
what he has written, we find ourselves
strangely bewildered, for while there
is much that is true and good in what
he taught, it must be declared that
there is much in his teachings that
only those of peculiar mental and
spiritual organization can receive.
His is not a simple system. Calvin
tasks our powers to the utmost when
we follow his guidance; but few are
they who will claim that Calvinism
is simple. And so of hundreds of wise
and holy men; we feel while listening
to them that we are drawn away FROM
1.-THE simplicity that is in Christ"
Sakya NUM-, the oriental teacher, was
wise man; there is truth in what he
taught, and | read from certain re-
jectors of Christianity that he even
surpasses Christ. But examine Bud
dhism, and you will find it full of in
volution, introspection, mysticism, SO
crowded with detailed directions that
nothing short of lifelong study
could master knowledge of it.
But turn to Christianity, and you
see at a glance few principles,
easily acquired, which cover all es-
sential religious doctrines and prac-
tees, and include all human duties.
While the doctrines of Christ are
sufficient to advance the moral world
to perfection, they can be understood
by the unlettered, the untaught, the
child. Every precept he inculcated
is lucid, every doctrine he taught as
basis of action, or motive to duty,
may be comprehended as soon as
stated. He who runs may read, and
he who reads may understand.
Let US recall two or three of them
as illustrations and consider them as
declared by their author, and then
as distorted by the misapprehensions
of error. We will not attempt to in
validate any incorrect view further
than this: Paul urges us to adhere
to the simplicity of our Master.
When, therefore, we find doctrine
protesting to emanate from him,
which lacks this trait, we are author
lied, compelled to say that it is not
from him, while we are always to be
disposed toward that which, claiming
to have proceeded from him, is easily
comprehended.
The doctrine of the New Birth is
an illustration. AS taught by the
Son of Man, and amplified by John
the beloved, "Whoever loveth is born
of God" The true new birth con-
sists in loving God the Father, and
his family of children, our brothers
and sisters, with all the soul, and
mind, and might, and strength. That
is all there is of it, He has been born
of God who loves his heavenly Father
I i L l. III