The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-03


We certainly consider it grave mis-
take to discourage anyone who makes
t ull and free choice in matters of relig-
ion. The human mind and heart knows
best, and upon arriving at maturity
usually seeks that church and adopts
hose teachings best suited to happiness.
1t is wrong to interrupt this. 1t is STEP
ping in between God and man. 1t may
be grief to parents to think that
child has deserted the family altar; but
if he takes the higher life into his bosom
do not fret because he has rejected your
opinions. Better encourage him to fol-
low the summons of God. The move
ment of the life is the divine call. Balk
his purposes, and you will ruin his life.
Req. F. F. Buckmer.
The Voice and Silence of God.
The voice of God is calling men al
ways, everywhere, and believe, with
all my heart, that this is the only true
way 10 interpret that message of the
sea. This is what the Psalmist meant
when he said: "Day unto day uttereth
speech. and night unto night showeth
knowledge" In just this way, through
all the ages Of human history has all
knowledge, allrevelation been coming to
men,-the artists inspirations, the poets
songs. the prophets visions. the COM
poser's melodies, all that man has ever
learned Of God, all that he can ever hope
to know. The silences of God have been
speaking to the silences of man, and hu-
man knowledge has been growing from
more to more. And 30 it must ever be
in Gods great school of life, and the
soul that listens best will learn the
most.-Rev. j. S. Cutler.
The Sunday School.
Did it ever occur to you, brother and
sister Universalist, that the Sunday
school has some claim upon you? Yes,
it has. You may be we'll grounded in
the doctrines of the church, as taught
by the Bible, and your presence in class
will add to its interest because you will
know how to assist the teacher by ask
ing the right questions at the right
time; good teacher in conjunction
with we'll instructed pupil in the class
makes the best work possible. Then
Universalists need to know why they
are such and so we'll taught that they
can on any occasion defend their faith
with credit to themselves. But this
is not all, for the practical value of the
Bible teachings in forming good char
acter is paramount to all else, and no
one can be too deeply learned in the
faith to get no instruction in the Sun
day-school. Surely, you all love the
faith we profess, will you not show your
love by being present with us every
Sabbath morning for one hour?-Rev.
j. a. Clark.
What our Church Holds.
The Universalist Church not only
holds to the final conquest of sin and
the triumph of righteousness in all
souls. it has also we'll defined doctrine
as to the way in which this result is
brought about. "Our doctrine of sal
vation is concerned with mans relations
to the conflict with sinful passions
and to personal integrity rather than
with his relation to future state.
Salvation is the victory of mans higher
nature over his lower nature; of con-
science over evil passions. 1t is not an
instantaneou operation, but the result
Of a process involved in the development
and education of the SOUL" Man is not
left to this conflict without hope of
help, but works out his own salvation
with help from on high. His salvation
depends not merely upon his own en-.
deavor. but upon his earnest co-opera.
ton with the Spirit Of God, by whose
grace he is saved, as we'll as by anything
that he may do for himself. The moral
oruvr of the world, and every law, and
truth, are all engaged on the side of
him who strives against evil-Anna j.
Schlund.