The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-02

will most likely cldlH SOn9"
erable attention at the General Con-
vention at Chicago in October, the
creed question, the fellowship OF min
listers and the increase of representa-
ton.
They will have their several merits,
no doubt, but the first will not be
without a large share of demerit,
considering the time it must con-
sumo. the distractions it will inclte,
and the discussion it will call up.
To make this the more likely, the
papers. with a different intention,
have called for full discussion pre-
urinary to its consideration in con-
vention, which has been most gen
erously responded to, giving US
museum of creed literature hardly
supposed possible.
So far the old creed outranks all
competitors by a large measure
while the Meriden is likely to carry
off the BOBBY prize. The Winchester
might be rivalled by a few of the
proposed if they had upon them the
same years of general endorsements
But some have still to learn what
they will some day attain to, that age
proves creed, and that century of
endorsement is factor difficult to
overcome, especially when it is re-
membered that during that time the
creed was under the attention of
minds no less trained to thinking
and weighing in the presence, for the
most part, of the same data that are
now urged against it. True enough,
if some of us were charged with
putting on its verbal dress we might
here and there use different word,
but might or might not err in doing
80. We certainly could not put in any
that no fault would be found with
DR.. Miner said in the Peoria Con-
vention when the creed question was
up some years ago, that no man could
write a sentence with which he could
not kick up a fuss" That is hope
less, and of this many at the present
stage must be convinced, even such
as might not for the time have been
able to think so meanly of their own
productions.
In response to the general invita-
ton, the Boston Minister'S Meeting.
with commendable zeal and hard
work gave out report of what they
deemed to be the best plan to put
in force, or at least in vogue, Tufts
leading off by her professor of
Church History. The plan is to alb
rogate the Winchester Profession and
in place use statement of what are
4" the essential principles of the Uni
versalist faith" which are as follows:
+" The Fatherhood of God" "The
spiritual leadership of Jesus Christ"
" The final harmony of all souls with
God" THE historic creed of the
Universalist is to be commended as
containing these principles" but
neither the creed, nor the principles
are required as condition of fellow
ship, provided always that the prin-
ciples above stated shall be substan-
TALLY professed."
This omits the Holy Scriptures,
save what may be implied in the allu-
sion to the spiritual leadership of
Christ. And if one wishes to assume
this leadership to be by an imagin-
airy Christ, as the fashion of some is,
there is none to say that he is not
true and consistent Universalist.
This is following the lead of the
Unitarian Conference, and possibly
indicates the effect on a minor school
by the penumbrations of Harvard.
The wonder is that this policy is
to oonduce to unity, quiet,
and general prosperity. Has
it accomplished this for the Unitar-
ians7 Should not their condition
admonish and instruct? Are we an
human nature that we
would not suffer under the same
and not tend to the same
end in following the same policy9
But what have creedless churches
done compared with such as Loyalty |
rally about chosen symbol of faith7 |
And who can be loyal to headless
state9 Or what great ends can be
attained by community of conflict
ing views and cross purposes? Whom
will it attract and assure and lead to
in its behalf2 The move
nent is alleged to be in the lauda-
ole interest of good conscience-a
conscience that is, alas, too often be-
ated beyond the incident of admis-
sion under the creed.
1t is also to remove an obstacle to
church membership on the part of a
desirable list, and The retention Of
such as have become dissatisfied with