The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-07
THE NEW TIME AND ITS DUTY.
BY c. W. ToMLINsoN, DID.

When the proclamation of Universal
ism began it may be that conditions
called chiefly for combat. POSSIBLY
am unwilling to say more than possibly
-argumentative doctrinal defence stout
antagonism to prevailing dogmas, the
uptearing of the old fire pit, was the
| only thing which opportunity allowed
| to be done. Let that be conceded if you
wish. But in respect to that the victory
is now ours. At least those creeds in
their most terrorizipg aspects find now
few 80 poor in thought and hope and
faith as to do them reverence. There
are no longer "infants in hell not span
long," None now think as did Jonathan
Edwards, that by his own sovereign and
vindictive might. an angry God will hold
the sinner in literal and eternal flames.
None dream that the pit of uncsasing
torment is to be crowded by receiving
the vast majority of the entire human
race, whilst heaven will have but nhero
and there a wanderer." 1t seems but a
terrible dream that such things could
ever have been taught and received as
from him who brought "glad tidings of
great Joy which shall be unto all peo-
ple," as the actual gospel of him whose
coming angels heralded with songs. But
there it is in the abiding literature of
the church. Its proclamation is within
the memory of some and l say that at
time when this was the teaching of the
pulpit and of the religious press, it may
be that the heralds of more hopeful gos-
pei could find opportunity for little less
than controversy. Even now we are not
beyond the need of doctrinal defence.
Even now there are multitudes hunger
ing and thirsting for better knowledge
Of the word; agonizing in soul because
they cannot see the way through what
to them are mist covered reefs closing
the way to the smooth waters of faith.
1t is a frequent complaint made now
against our pulpits that they do not en-
tighten the people upon these subjects
as of old.
With that complaint l am not without
sympathy, but l see also another side of
the matter. l see that whilst this need is
yet large, another is comparably greater
What was it that gave most rapid spread
to Christianity in its infant days? Do
you think that under God, it was solely,
or even chiefly. the preaching of the
word? Doubtless nothing could have
been achieved without that. But when
men were moved to exclaim, "Behold
how these Christians love one anotherw
when Christianity was seen to be the
synonym of philanthropy, then the faith
spread itself over two continents, then
the word of God grew and multiplied" :"
What dost thou work" was the question
the Jews of his day put to the Saviour of
"the world; and that is the question
which evermore will be put to all who
come claiming the public ear. Theorists
are at heavy discount in the market of
the world until they can show that their
theories have practical Importance.
Electricity was plaything until Frank
lin drew it from the clouds; now we har-
ness it to our carriages and compel it to
drive the spindles of our mills.
Our opportunity has come. We are
no longer obliged to labor sword in hand,
as did the Jews when rebuilding the
city's walls. We can do some quiet
work. We can show to the world that
we are not idle theorists, not mere mega
tive overthrowers of what other men
have builded. Naturally in those old
days of awful thunderings and light
nings. the man who merely did not be-
lieve in hell of eternal fire, felt himself
drawn to the Universalists. Has not the
hour of high noon arrived when denials
should no longer suffice? We have de-
Tended the faith of universal salvation
but the salvation we have taught is not
merely awaiting US beyond death river.
Putting off the earthly frame will not
bring US to its Joys. 1t does not consist
in residence within sapphire gates or
jewelled walls. Sitting beside an angel
will not ensure it. Only as we ourselves
put on the likeness of an angel shall we
know its bliss. For this the soul is sus-