The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-11

really seems that those who hold the
grossest superstitions are more en-
thusiastic in their propagation than
are those who reject such supersti-
tions and advocate pure truth and
rational faith. Undoubtedly there
are many Universalists who desire to
spread abroad their faith and they
are ready to make any sacrifice and
do any amount of work to accom-
plish this result. But none will deny
that there are still more nominal Uni
versalists who are utterly Indifferent
about the growth of their church. 1t
is often said that such indifference is
due to the loss of faith in hell, and
perhaps there is something in the idea
If 80, I, for one, would be in favor of
giving these good people little more
hell in order to get them to do their
duty. True, the virtue that has no
better basis than the fear of hell is
very low sort of virtue. But if people
are not highly enough developed to
accept truth for its own sake and
practice virtue because it is Godlike,
then we must adopt some other
means of arousing their dormant
consciences.
Whatever may be the cause, none
can deny that there is a woeful lack
of enthusiasm among many nominal
Universalists in regard to the mis-
sionary work of the church. The ex-
perience of DR.. Rugg with the Gent
a-Day Plan," is sufficient proof of
this, and every minister knows how
difficult it is to get a contribution for
church work outside his parish.
Most peoples sympathies and inter
ests are confined to their own parish
1t really provokes them to be asked
for a contribution to the general
work of the church. l know several
parishes where a little help-a few
hundred dollars-would have result
ed in building up strong churches.
As it is, one of these churches has
been sold FOR debt and the other is
now without pastor, and will prob
ably be sold for debt. Both are in
towns of 5000 inhabitants. Both h I'd
valuable property almost paid for.
Both had some 30 or 40 families of
excellent people. Both could raise
all but about $500 or 5000 to pay
necessary expenses-and both have
been allowed to die, when there are
many nominal members of our
church-anyone of whom might have
saved these churches and never have
missed the money out of his bank
account. We often hear our people
criticise certain liberal orthodox min
listers for not leaving their churches
when they have ceased to believe
their dogmas, and I fully agree that
such men ought to speak out boldly
and take the consequences. But let
us ask,-What encouragement have
such men from the Universalists to
leave their old churches7 There are
hundreds of ministers who would join
us if they were sure of work. But a
man hesitates, and rightly hesitates-
to sacrifice all prospect of doing the
work to which he has dedicated his
life, and for the prosecution of which
he has spent years and thousands of
dollars in study and preparation.
But if those who crit Else him were
ready to support him, not only with
approving words but with "hard cash"
and enthusiastic cooperation, he
would cheerfully join with them in
religious work.
Again-we who leave the other
churches and enter one of the Glib
eral denominations" often receive the
most unjust criticisms from those
who are to the manner born-and
sometimes they are even patronizing
in their attitude. But whatever may
be our shortcomings, one thing we
have which some of our critics have
not, and that is enthusiasm for the
new and higher faith. We have had
to fight our way out of darkness and
superstition, and, like the old soldier,
we are proud of our scars, and are
ready and anxious to do battle for
the new faith. But the apathy and
indifference of those who have been
born and bred in that faith soon chill
our enthusiasm and shake our belief
in their sincerity. One thing is GER
tain, our church can never grow as it
should until we get more of the mis-
sionary spirit.
Universalists believe that
"God's In his heaven.
ALPS right with the world"
They are willing to let God work
out mans salvation all alone. But
they forget that God never saves
man against his will. God employs