The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-16
SUFFICIENT UNTO SALIVA
TON.
BY REV. E. j. FELT.

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human soul longs for it. Not the
salvation of theology but the saliva
ton that means life, character, per-
lection. Man seems created for such
a destiny and all the forces of Gods
life in the universe seem to apply
toward that supreme contamination.
This seems to be the plan of God for
man, as implied in the marvellous
endowment of his life, the match
less equipment of his mind, the
sensitive, emotional nature inherent
in him.
In the light of scientific truth, the
promises of Scripture, and the de-
mands of the human heart itself, the
Universalist Church declares its faith
that the full salvation of humanity,
the fulfillment of mans moral and
spiritual and intellectual possibilities,
the bringing of human life up into
the full image of the divine is Gods
purpose in creation.
Standing upon this supreme faith
it declares further its confidence that
God possesses ample resources for
the securing of that end. That the
freedom of mans will, which can
never be taken from him without de-
stroying his very manhood, will be
no insurmountable obstacle to the
winning power of Gods love, which,
like any other love, operates with the
will and not against it. Man will
forever be free, but his will shall
some day come under the benign in
fuence of divine love.
Whether, therefore, Gods method
of dealing with man, of reaching and
affecting him, is one method or
another, the Universalist believes
that it will be sufficient unto sal
vation-no more and certainly no
less.
The one cruel dogma which has
blackened the fair history of the
Christian church, in its latter course,
and which has been such fruitful
source of skepticism and all forms
of irreverence, is the dogma of end
less punishment. The arbitrary de-
cree of an arbitrary God who loses
sight of the purpose of his creation
certainly loses sight of its noblest
outcome, in the effort to maintain
justice which outrages every human
sense of what is just.
Against this heartless and needless
doctrine the Universalist Church
raises an earnest voice. The teach
ing is so fruitless, and is so false to
the spirit OF Christ's revelation of
God and his character, and makes
such a travesty of the whole propo-
sition of Gods government, that it
seems as though thoughtful men
could not promulgate it as Chris
tian doctrine.
Applying to the doctrine of future
punishment the faith announced
above, that Gods methods and forces
will all be sufficient unto salvation,
not more and not less, the Univer-
salist Church declares its belief that
punishment, which is always RENE
dial in its nature and purpose, will
be sufficient unto salvation. More
than that will be not only an unwar-
ranted superfuity, but will pass from
the realm of the merciful to the
realm of the cruel.
What is the use of endless punish
ment? What does it accomplish?
What good does it dol One might
see how million years of punish
ment for soul, or more, if the case
required it, might be beneficial, but
what can be said of endless punish
ment' We cannot comprehend what
the word endless means. How many
men in this world, of ever so cruel,
sinful life, as we know them here,
could suffer million years of Attic
ton, with no moment of rest, without
repenting, and turning in dumb and
pathetic appeal to the Father-heart
for mercy. And why should not the
Father hear and heed the pitiful
pleading and receive the penitent
prodigal to his heart of infinite and
tenderest love? What man is there
among us who would not advocate
such a relenting on the Fathers
part.
Enough is enough. Endless pun
ishment is too much, and there is no
reason, love, mercy or justice in it.
1t defames the name of God. 1t is a
blasphemous doctrine. The imam
of sorrows and acquainted with grief
never taught it. And the Church
and the minister who teaches it is
misrepresenting the Gospel and is
helping to keep the world out of the