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

hSiOn, OOLuAuouLOu on lhipOooiDiO
thing.
Reduced to its last analysis Chris
tianity is but single thought: The
divine paternity, out of which grows
the universal fraternity. From the
former necessarily proceeds the rem
edial nature of all discipline, result
ing in the universal recovery of souls
to God; and from the latter, the gol-
den rule as the duty of man. Every
relation and duty of man toward
God and men is folded in the one
thought original with Jesus, the di-
vine paternity. The apostle cried,
"Show us the Father, and it sufficeth
u.s." The worlds theologies may say
the same. This one relationship,
within the comprehension of every
human heart, recognized, believed,
radiates into every possible duty and
obligation devolving on man as re-
ligious being. Our daily pater nos
ter, "Our Father" comprehends the
whole scope of religion.
The department of our Lord, if we
can distinguish between that and his
teachings, indorses the text. How
perfectly simple was that unadorned
and transformations life!
While the Jewish people were ex-
pecting some wonderful prophet to
arise as their Messiah, from some
distinguished place in Jerusalem,
with outward proofs of his greatness
lo an infant, born among them, in a
lowly stable, in an obscure hamlet,
grew up as carpenter, and began in
their streets to announce the new
kingdom.
How entirely unpretending was
his career from his manger cradle to
his cross! He moved about on foot,
among the cottages of the poor. He
reserved his choicest baptisms for
the swarthy brow of labor, and his
warmest grasp for the hands of fish
ermen and tent-makers, and broken
hearted castaways, who were by him
led up to the shining walks of life.
How much at home felt the poorest
of the poor and the humblest of the
humble, as that modest yet dignifed,
human yet divine being, approached,
clad in the simple beauty of human
ity, and wearing the sacred majesty
of heaven On his brow.
How soon did they see their broth
er and friend in him, and how gladly
did they follow him through city and
village, by the river and seaside, along
the dusty thoroughfares, and up the
mountain. Had he been that incom-
prehensible mystery which he has
been represented in human creeds awe
would have checked all approach.
and he would have walked the world
an exile. Veneration, establishment,
might have been drawn from men,
but they would have shrunk from
him. No, it was that heaven-descend-
ed simplicity that he manifested
which inspired the breasts of men
with confidence, and brought the
multitude to his feet.
When in the synagogue of Nazar-
eth, he read the prophetic declara-
tions concerning himself, when the
noisy multitude attended his trium-
phal entry into Jerusalem-when in
mortal extremity he threw himself on
the dewy Grass of Gethsemane and
prayed that the cup might pass
when he bore the heavy cross laid OH
his shoulders, and at last, mortal
man, bled and died of human suffer
ing, how great was "the simplicity of
Christ" This it was that laid the
head of the confiding John on his
shoulder, that brought the sisters of
Lazarus to his feet, that made the
common people hear him gladly, that
caused little children to leap to his
arms for his blessing, that opened
the well'springs of confidence in
every soul. And thus it was that
the Man
''Chrlst Jesus wrought
With human hands the creed of creeds,
In loneliness of perfect deeds.
More strong than all poetic thought,
Which he may read that binds the sheaf
Or builds the house, or digs the grave.
Or those wild ey es that watch the wave
In roarings round the coral reefs"
In the language of Holy Writ, "The
wayfaring man, though a fool, need
nor err therein" so plain are his
truths and precepts, SO simple his
perfect life.
Thus is the unity of nature always
preserved. That trait essential to
beauty or utility is always present in
all excellence. In nature, art, science,
simplicity is the ornament of excel
lence, just as the simplicity of Christ
is one of the traits that elevates him
above all other religious teachers.