The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-07
An Old Argument Newly Surveyed.

An Old Argument Newly Surveyed.
In reference to the doctrine OF
Universalism, the question has often
been asked by those unacquainted
with its intrinsic excellence, whether,
even if it is true, there is any advant-
age to be derived from believing it?
The old form of the question was,
"lf true what is the use of preaching
it?" 1t is very certain, however, and
must appear to every one acquainted
with the matter, that this question is
proposed without any adequate
knowledge of the subject to which
it refers, or even of the elements and
influence of truth itself. Every one,
from very brief survey of the
world, must discover that moral and
religious truth, as we'll as truth in
relation to the natural world, always
brings to its possessor a train of
blessings which he otherwise could
not possess. 1t must be evident to
every one that there are some adj
vantages attending the possession of
wisdom which are worth the efforts
of, mankind. The person who re-
jects the truth, or who, in any way
fails of obtaining it, must necessari-
ally fail of obtaining the blessings
which follow in its train, and will be
involved in consequences always un-
pleasant and often disastrous to his
moral and spiritual interests.
1t cannot, of course, be said in all
cases, men suffer loss from a want of
wisdom or a rejection of truth, for
they are not always deprived of
things which they actually possess.
In some instances they only fail of
obtaining such blessings as they
might have possessed, had they been
disposed to lay up those treasures
of wisdom and truth which alone
can secure them. If a man should
fail of obtaining a harvest because
he neglects to SOW his seed and cul-
tivate his land, it could not proper ly
be said that he was deprived of his
harvest.
He did not lose it because he
never possessed it. He might, indeed,
be compelled to suffer the miseries
of poverty and want as the conse
quences of his neglect. In like man.
ner whenever man neglects truths
of any description, he may suffer
evil consequences which the posses
sion of truth would avert. In many
cases, however, he suffers an actual
loss of things which he possesses.
By neglecting or rejecting the truth
a man may be deprived OF health,
and property, and reputation, and
even life itself. If any particular
truth is we'll known and is at the
same time rejected and its principles
violated, some evil consequences are
almost invariably the result. We
must necessarily understand and act
according to the reversible laws of
nature in order to preserve our
lives. 1t is law of nature and
we'll known principle of truth that
the body must be supplied with
food in order to preserve life and
everybody knows that if we should
be so foolish to reject that truth and
refuse to comply with that estab
lished law on which we hold our lives,
death would be the inevitable result.
In fact, it is impossible to tell how
much evil has been endured in con-
sequence of even trihing contempt
and rejection of moral truth-how
much disease has been produced
how much violence has been excited,
how much misery and suffering in
kingdoms, neighborhoods and fam
lies; and how much dishonor re-
morse and infamy have followed the
pathway of human life! Even though
men may be theoretically convinced
of any moral truth; yet if they prac-
tically deny aud disregard and
despise it, they cannot escape the
consequences. 1t is even more fool
ish to live in open violation of those
truths of which, in his better judg-
ment, man is fully convinced.
As the rejection of truth is followed