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

he asked, Twill he reverence Christian
institutions, worship at a Christian altar,
pray to the Christian God and recog-
nize the spiritual leadership of Jesus
Christ? 1t is not a new question or
series of questions which is thus pre-
sented. We need not be alarmed at the
possibility implied. Signal service bu-
reaus OF religious information have or
dered out cautionary signals and pre-
dicted storms and disasters to the CHS
tian church with the same fate which
frequently attends our weather bureaus
with reference to natural disturbances
"a brief commotion Of the elements
and not the expected storm. Voltaire's
prophecy in regard to the Christian re-
ligion was to the effect that by the close
of the nineteenth century the Christian
religion would be without influence in
the world. We have the answer his
tory and of fact disproving his asser-
ton. In many respects not contemplated
by the great skeptic, Christianity was
never 80 powerful in this world.
SIN the degree that the world is grow.
ing better and manifesting the moral
uplifting of the age, in just that degree
is our religion proving itself most pc
tent force and influence among mankind.
Christianity has come into the world to
stay and it will remain until its mission
is accomplished.
ave have encouragement on every
hand to resist all pessimistic conclusions
in reference to religion. Every spire
pointing heavenward is evidence of the
continuous and always abiding religious
instinct of the race.
1--WE welcome the coming of the new
church of the First Universalist Society
of Lansing as renewed evidence of the
religious instinct and sentiment. 1t will
be reared by the devotion of the most
sacred order and by tender and beauti-
full sacrifices common to such enter
prises. For what institution could men
and women be induced to give so largely
and endow so handsomely as they are
constantly doing for the church Of
God?
"This Church of Our Father will stand
In this community as a representative
of all the great realities which we asso-
ciate with the church wherever it is
reared. 1t also stands for the special
things which distinguish Universalist
Church, and it bears the name of the
Father as significant of its system of
faith. These religious inculcations are
marked with special emphasis where
the teachings of no other church venture
definite statements. It's mission is to
keep at the front the neglected truth of
the everlasting and omnipotent love of
the Heavenly Father for all his children
with all that is logically and emphati-
cally implied in the Divine Fatherhood
and consequent unity of the race, max
ing mankind one family in God"
Universalism, as the speaker explained
it, is the highest and most significant
ideal of Christianity. 1t marks the re-
turn of thought to the primitive purity
of religion and authoritative affirmations
of the Master in his revelation.
I'm its doctrinal form Universalism
reads thus; One God, the Father of the
whole human family, equally now and
equally forever the Father of all souls.
Hence the common sonship of human.
ity in the family of God. To this is
added the administration of compensa-
tion by which tranegression receives it's
deserved punishment and obedience it's
rich reward. The mission of Jesus as a
divine teacher. his resurre ction, as per-
sonal pledge of universal Immortality,
and finally the ultimate salvation of all
souls in Christ"
DR.. Cantwell closed by referring to
the special significance of the occasion
to the Universalists of Lansing and their
duty to build new church and make it
worthy of its name, 1.-THE Church of Our
Father"
Following the address came the de.
posting of relics, ETC., in the corner
stone. The following is a list of the
contents: Names of all the members
of the church, present officers of church
and parish, officers of Sunday school
and Young Peoples Union. Ladies'
Social Union and Chaplin Club, the
history in outline Of the society and
the names Of pastors, UNCONVENTIONAL
papers, Christian Leader. THE UNIvER
sALIsT, the Banner, copy of the Ian.
sing Journal. the Republican. names of
members of Building Committee, archi-
tect, contractor and builder, sermon by
the pastor, report of the farewell SER
vice in the Grand street church, officials
of the Lansing city government, roster
of Capital Lodge, No. &C. F. and A. M,
list of past masters of the Lodge, name
of the speaker, Grand Lodge officials and
Masons who participate in laying the
stone, an old Spanish Coin given Mrs.
B. Van Aiken, a photograph of the old
church. cut Of the new structure,
poem by Mrs. George Cole and photo
graph of Mrs. .. E. V. Emery.
Grand Master, John j. Carton of the
Michigan Grand Lodge of Masons, off.
ciated at the laying of the stone, which
came next and WAS aaaiatad nv Grand