The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-17

whole human family. This paternity
is not susceptible of change-it is as
eternal as the nature of God. He is
equally now, and will be equally for
ever, the Father of all souls. Hence
the unity of the race, the common
sonship of humanity in the family OF
God; its common origin, common
wants, sympathies and interests for
time and eternity alike.
To this is added what we may
term an administration of compensa-
ton by which transgression must re-
ceive its deserved punishment and
obedience its sure and rich rewards;
the mission of Jesus as a teacher of
all men, their light out of darkness,
their guide into divine truth, their
redeemer from sin and the power of
death; his resurrection as personal
pledge of immortal life to all. And
finally the ultimate salvation of all
souls by divine grace revealed in
Jesus Christ, thus completing and
browning the work of creation and
redemption.
Practically we understand by this
faith these things: Supreme love to
God because he is the one all lovable
object of our affection and is revealed
to us in the hottest aspect, even as a
Father, Infinitely fatherly," loving
all his children with an equal and
everlasting love. Next love to our
fellowmen because we are loved
alike by the Father and because
we can enhance our happiness
only in the exercise of this pure,
good will to mankind. From this
follows naturally love of duty, be-
cause in duty only is the highest
welfare of the soul achieved. Then
love of holiness, because that makes
us most Godlike, blesses us with all
that can constitute salvation here or
hereafter, even gives to us in this life
the experience of the divine.
This faith, when devoutly received,
recognizes in the Lord Jesus Christ
the earthly representative of God the
Father. In him, the hottest Son and
the one Lord and Master, we come
into communication with the Infinite
and recognize the encompassing di-
vinity of love that attends our earthly
pathways. In Jesus Christ we meet
God in direct spiritual communion
and find his splendors revealed to
our spiritual vision. 1t is, therefore,
no irrational service to which we are
invited as followers of the Master
in the religion which he represents.
1t is rather the most reasonable
service which we can offer, the wor
ship of Being, through the teach
ings and spirit of his highest earthly
representatives who is the ever-liv-
ing God, and the source of all bless
ing, the giver of all earthly good.
May all who read these words come
to know God in the teachings of Uni
versalism as the Father and be drawn
constantly to him in the love and
service of his needy and appealing
children!
If we would be more than poor
dull clods of earth without feeling or
sensibility; if we would ascend into
the higher atmosphere that quickens
and refreshes the spiritual aspira-
tions of the soul; if we would reach
out our feeble hands to take hold of
the heavenly helps then we must
needs render obedience to the Father:
then we must needs worship, adore
and pray. This call is made upon
our spiritual faculties. This is the
demand that sounds in every deep of
our nature, and that is significant of
the purpose for which man was Gre
ated. We can never fulfil the ends
of our being until it is accomplished.
Hence, as Universalists, we urge at
tention to religious duties on rational
grounds. To refuse expression to
this deep seated need of the soul, to
this strong craving implanted in the
very nature of man, would be rude
violation of the eternal verities writ
ten in mans being, and designed
primarily to hold him in relations to
the Infinite which cannot destroyed.
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