The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-28
SOME EMPHASIS.

In an article entitled ga Study in
Creeds" is found the following clos
ing words. "Would that it's rejection
would end the controversy" To
which | most heartily shout, in the
good old Methodist style, Amen;
Amen!
o! how much valuable time and
brilliant ability have been expended
in creating doubts and magnifying
differences among our ministers, and,
perhaps people, upon unimportant
matters in our Profession; and, in the
vain effort to do an impossible thing
make an exact, definite and truth
full statement of faith, to which no
one would object, that should have
been spent in the endeavor to con-
solidate our effort for the spread of
our faith, building churches, and
elevating the human race! For
eighteen years or more, now, the very
learned and conscientious divines
have been striving for some amend
ed" or new and more advanced"
"exact," and illogical statement of
our faith, more in harmony with the
spirit of the times;" and have finally
agreed upon mongrel, without
a Bible, any affirmation of the final
triumph of right, or any distinctly
Christian flavor. May its rejection at
the coming General Convention for
ever end this folly and wickedness.
| read in another article on this
matter of our creed, that iron re-
cent articles and church papers and
speakers at conventions, there seems
to be an unnecessary warmth and
even bitterness of feeling" and urg-
ing all to "keep cool, and discuss the
matter purely on it's merits" Which
good Christian advice | most earn
estly emphasize again and again!
For it requires constant caution, the
utmost calmness, and self-control to
keep cool when persons home is
being pulled down over his head.
And more exciting and even exas-
perating than such procedure is an
effort to misrepresent, undermine, or
destroy what person holds most
sacred, dearer than lifel But in our
day, among the cultured, advanced
thinkers, it seems to be considered
plebeian to believe any one thing
more sacred than every other in rela-
tion to man and his environment. But
Iwish to emphasize the fact that there
are some things almost universally
esteemed more sacred than all others;
and our religious opinions are emil
nently so. The noble, conviction
creating masters will never, can
never yield their religious faith, or it's
false statement, to the decision of a
'sfree ballot and fair count" And to
my mind it shows very slight con-
ception of the sacred convictions to
view such procedure as matter of
Indifference or of small moment in re-
suit.
This is said in no heat and in no
unkindness, but in all seriousness
and sincerity; for I have no purpose
to "pose," not being dependent upon
my popular utterances for my bread
and butter.
Let us reason.
After careful investigation l thor
oughly believe Christianity to be the
true religion as related to all others.
The Bible is it's only foundation.
"The Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments contain reve-
lation of the character of God, of the
duty, interest and final destination
of mankind" This is fundamental; ;
this revelation Is true; truth never
changes; single truth is an infalli-
BILE truth, and the Bible contains an
infallible guide in this matter. This
truth accepted without elaboration,
and without the slightest mental
reservation or evasion. | have seen
no reason to waver in that acceptance.
And now, gentlemen, learned. influ-
ential DDS. this faith is vital to my
life; does any one suppose for mo-
ment that vote of convention say
ing my belief was erroneous would
change my convictionl Or cause me
to accept as a statement of my faith
one without a single word on this es-
sential truth9 The supposition is
preposterousl 1t is an easy matter
for those without serious convictions