The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-04
BUILDING THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE.

A GREAT favorite with St. Paul was
that Greek word which the transla-
tors of the New Testament have rem
dered by the English synonyms to
build, or to edify. Hence we may
infer that Paul saw life, character,
civilization rising like a structure, a
tower or a temple. On an ample
base it must rest, and not on a foun-
dalton of sand that some freshet of
impulse can wash away. Of good
material it must be constructed-ma
terial of every needed variety to in
sure strength and beauty. And
gradually under patient and wise
toll it must assume its proportions
and be made ready for its uses. With
this living temple of hewn and pol
ished stones, standing firm in their
places, and sharing suitable decora-
tions. no tower or temple built by
human hands can compare.
No tabled palace can equal the
glory of a great and true life, which
has been wrought out after some oi-
vine model; and this was the thought
of the apostle when he urged the
Christians of his time to build on the
sure foundation of the Gospel.
In the matter of building up
churches and advancing parish inter
ests, this thought should take pos
session of all who are engaged in the
work. The combined efforts of good
men and women in their associated
capacity as church workers, cannot
fail to tell happily in results. Our
Saviour promised even the Pharisees
the rewards they sought, even the
praises of men and the fame of ex-
ternal devotion. The law on which
this promise rests, is wide one since
the hearts conservation to given
end draws all the powers of achieve
ment in that one direction and early
| and late, and at every turn, some act
is put forth to further the issue.
The need just now of our church is
building up the believers into the
one temple of the Lord. 1t demands
zeal that shall go in request of re-
eruits and march with this phalanx
of Christian soldiers through the
battle-ground of earth to the blessed
victories of the Christian life. The
Universalist church needs to increase
its numbers; to win hearts to Christ;
to build men and women up to a
body of believers in the great hopes
and joys of the Christian faith. 1t is
mistake to suppose that the work
of making converts to Universalism
is more difficult now than it was in
the early years of our church. On
the contrary the opportunity is as
good now as ever to make Universal
lists.
Many souls are even now suffering
under the darkness of the old ortho-
doxy and would rejoice in a deliver
ance into the light and glory of our
faith. The spirit of work is necessary
to this one end ofincrease of numbers.
If we make this our aim and toll, we
shall have our reward, for the old
time promise will apply here also. If
we seek to build up our churches, by
increase of numbers, and all go forth
seeking stones for this living temple,
we shall not fail to see the structure
rising in response to our Christian
exertion, our toll and labor. By de-
votion to this task, as a steady en-
thusiasm, a work never out mind, an
end constantly planned for, service
ever engaging our lips, and enlisting
our hands, the desired result will
wait on the law of industry and we
shall see the fruit of our tolls.
In every community there are those
who might be brought under the in
fuence of the church by the devotion
and zeal of an industrious pastor.
Early and late we should study the
ways and means to this one result.
Through this building industry the
spiritual interests of the church will
not suffer, nor faith or hope grow
less, but rather all will come at length
to stand amid the more impressive
glory and power of an enlarged and
living temple of the Lord. Work is
the ancient key to achievement and
it has lost none of its magical pro-
mise with the rolling away of the
years. If we will work, we shall win,
for the universe rests on this law.