The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-05

earnest and sincere, but the Buddhist
corrected the brother; that name. (God).
ne said, would not unite all men; for the
name, or its idea, found no place 10 the
religion of Zoroaster or Confuciue. who
mad hundreds of thousands of followers
There were some very earnest. elo-
quent and convincing words on 1.-THE
Foundation of Religion" and especially
on its Sources" founding it in mans
nature, revealing continually his limita-
ton, his dependence and the wonderful
profound mystery of his environment.
But there were presented no indications
of possible improper exercise of this
reiigious instinct; and no chart was sug-
gested by which VIZ could modify. or
control this native human element to
wise and benefcent purposes.
"The Sociological Problem of the
Church" elected some good suggestions,
but nothing new or marked. UNEQUAL
social conditions were admitted, and to
some degree magnified, then deplored
aad the church held accountable for it;
out no practical remedy was suggested
save the perhaps somewhat familiar
thought embodied in the Institutional
Church. in the administration of which
one brother of experience, urged the
greatest care that more harm than good
be not done to the beneiciaries by Great
ing in them dependent disposition,
paralyzing the most valuable elements
OF true manhood.
The Church of the Free" was ear
nestly discussed as if churches general
ly were "of the slave" But it was not
located. named or definitely described.
From the general drift of the remarks.
however, we concluded it was the church
without creed or liturgy. or declared
purpose; the church of natural religion
without books" or profession; without
any announcement of faith or purpose
or obligation; whose prayers would be
made to 1.-The Infinite Nearness of Re-
vealing Reality" whatever that might
be. as offered in devout manner at the
opening of the Congress.
On account of some little perturba-
tion in our denomination, resulting. as
was supposed from the action of this
body. but which, as it seems, was the re.
suit OF the action of the Illinois congress
resulting from this, as this did from the
Columbian Congress, l was especially
interested in the business part of the
program, which proposed some modifi-
cation OF organization and discussion of
its work, which developed very wide
difference of opinion as to it's proper
purpose. One active member was in.
tensely desirous of doing something:
talking less and doing more, on tn, line
OF the Illinois movement. Missionary
work, giving religious homes to church
less people; organizing. building in the
rural districts and smaller towns, unit
ing all Christians without church, into
churches without creeds, without
which no good would be accomplished.
He thought meeting annually and talk
ing amounted to nothing; doing and not
talking was what was needed.
But there were others of a different
opinion. who believed talking was the
efficient means of exposing error and
promulgating truth-it was not the pur-
pose of the organization to create new
sect or build new denomination; but to
promulgate truth, broad, liberal views
on religious subjects and secure united
work of all denominations in the essen
tials, uplifting humanity. And the de-
cision of the Congress was emphatical-
ly in that line.
God speed it on its fraternal work in
glittering generalities. which may star
somewhere definite practical purpos
in dormant energy.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.