The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30

diD uOne. IL is lmpO66lDle IN tues6 udy :
to expect any appreciable benefits from
church organization that is tottering
under load of debt. 1t is unreasonable
to expect enthusiastic devotion, and
single-hearted labor from a clergyman
who is under-paid.
The official board of church that is
in debt is compelled to deal constantly
with sordid questions, instead of seek
ing means of drawing within it's folds
the wanderer and the wayfarer. A
clergyman whose faculties and energies
are engaged in struggle with debt and
in an effort to keep up appearances and
educate his family, etc., cannot have
the time nor the impulse to perform his
clerical work properly. nor to lead with
kindly direction the stumbling and un-
reasonable people to whom his life is
dedicated.
Theology had for its original object
the explanation of natural laws and to.
day the more of nature we throw into
our religion, the better for us and the
more reverential to God. l believe in
flowers, not only in the beauty of their
form. in their fragrance, but in the
story they tell, the lessons they teach
and the emotions they inspire; and 1
do not know why it is. but my thoughts
lead me naturally somehow from flow
ers to children, and it this good society
OF ours has dore nothing else, it has
lived to see the obliteration of the doc
trine that some little children are ever
lastipgly lost because of the lack Of the
performance of some finite ceremony.
Children were intended for Heaven-the
angels love children; and if l could
convince one man that God has never
reprobated child to everlasting perdi-
Joy to me.
Let our ministers continue to preach
progress of the soul, as science has
demonstrated the progressive evolution
of the body and the intellect; let them
spread the doctrine of ultimate saliva
tion; let them get into the hearts, as
we'll as into the minds and the pockets
Of the laymen; let them gain from con-
tact with the members of their church
and with those who are not members,
knowledge of the difficulties and the
doubts that cling to the struggling soul
OF man engrossed with the RESPONSE
bilities of station in life into which cir
cumstances have not only forced him,
but also cruelty hold him. When this
is done, will frankly admit that the
mission of our church has not ceased.
Many a business man would be glad to
surrender position OF power and of re-
sponsibiliiy and devote himself to the
welfare of human soule, if he could
gain his moral consent to lay down
these burdens. And where shall the
layman find the inspiration for this
kind of service except it be from the
faithfulness of the pulpit? The clergy
man should not lose heart if he does not
win momentary applause. He never
can know or measure the benefits and
helps to the casual listener. who may
disappear forever from his vision carry
ing with him impressions that will
abide and inspire to kindly deeds and
heroic actions. Many man is obliged
to hurry his church work as he forces
along his business affairs. Clergymen
should be considerate and charitable
with such men. They should. neverthe-
less, impress upon laymen that great
peace may not be purchased with mon
ey, but that mans acts and his help
fulness and his humanity and his soul
fulness in his daily walk are a greater
contribution to his future happiness
than all the wealth he may pour into
the Golfers of the church.