The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-27
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! Universalist Thought
OUR OWN WRITERS.
Indifference to the Sunday School.
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Indifference to the Sunday School.
The indifference of parents and church
members to the Sunday school is appall-
Jog; instead of it's being the help it can
and should be, it is often made shift
by which responsibility is escaped and
thrust upon those utterly untitled to
bear it. The moral and spiritual future
of the world is in no small measure de-
pendent upon the Sunday school, and
the Sunday school must either in itself
provide for that future, or be the chan
mel through which the young life is
carried within the influence of the
church and religious homes.-Rev. F.
A. Bisbee.
Selfshness of the European Powers.
If the great Powers of Europe were
desirous of upselfishly serving the in
terests of humanity, it would seem that
the Turkish problem could be easily
solved by them through their encour-
agement of the progressive party in the
Turkish empire. But the preponderat
ing influence in the so-called Concert
OF action" does not want settlement
that will issue in regenerated Turkish
| empire Russia does not want a re-
generated Turkey which would prove an
obstacle in her pathway to more empire.
She prefers Turkish misrule as pretext
for the grasping of more territory and
the long coveted Constantinople, which
would give her that dominion over the
| Mediterranean and that preponderat-
ing influence in Europe which is part
of her dream of world dominion.-Rev
| c. L. Waite.
The Change in Preaching.
Go into the most orthodox of church
| es nowadays and you do not hear the
words hell" or "devip used as former
ly. They have been quietly dropped in
most churches from their theological
vocabulary. The nearer the preacher
comes to the liberal faith, the more
popular he is. He may call himself or
thodox, perhaps must. but he dare not
preach genuine orthodoxy. He must
practice theological homeopathy. or send
in his resignation. The old doctrines,
consequently. are carefully sugar
coated, and prescribed in such diminu-
tive doses as to produce no nauseating
effect, even upon the most religious
constitution.
The thunders of Mt. Sinai are seldom
echoed from the pulpits now. and the
pews may sleep on, if they will. in un-
disturbed repose. e.-Frdnk Edao. Kitt-
redge.
Buddhism Atheistio.
DR.. Paul Carus stands quite alone in
his views among oriental scholars. He
holds that Buddhism is really theistic,
teaches the existence of real soul and
that Nirvana is state of life. But the
weight of authority among oriental
scholars is all the other way on these
points. DR.. G. G. Everett, of Harvard.
who is perhaps the best auth ority on
comparative religions in America. states
that on whatever other points there
may be differences of opinion, there is
no question that Buddhism is atheistic.
AS regards Nirvana. Buddha himself
was non committal; but later Buddhism
is nihilistic. The ethics of Buddha are
noble and his teachings as to the man.
ner OF living are plain. He inculcates
truth, purity. unselfshness, the doing
of right for rights sake. So far the
Christian can admire his teachings and
find much that is helpful in them. But
as religion the system is sadly def
cient in leaving out the thought of God,
and it's metaphysics contain many con-
tradictions Of logic and will not stand
vestigation.-R r. +. Johonnot.
Ministers and Christian Courtesy.
1t is surely pleasant to know that
Christian courtesy is on the increase
among the differing sects. A mere diff
ference of opinion on particular points
of doctrine should be no bar to Chris
tian fellowship. Even in the same
church there are no two people who be-
lieve precisely alike on every point of
doctrine. While on my recent tour
through North Carolina the Presbyter-
ian church at Falkland was kindly
opened to me, as was also the Baptist
church in Deep Run, where a minister
of that denomination attended, and who
invited me home to spend the night and
where, at his request. l preached to a
deeply interested audience. | notice
these things to show that a kinder
feeling is existing among people. Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own
mind" is the teaching of Paul. the great
apostle to the Gentiles, and am glad to
know that many are following his ad-
vice. The same apostle also says, in
closing the sixth chapter of Ephesians,
-"Grace be with all who love the Lord
Jesus in sincerity" If he could thus
feel, why should not we? We can unite
as Christians. regardless of sectarian
dogmas, and not spend our time and
strength in wranging with each other