The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03

IN visible fellowship, OUT the prOpd-
cation of the spirit of Christ in the
hearts of men. The outward fellow
ship is a result, and so an evidence,
more or less conclusive, of church ex
tension; but the essential thing is, as
l said, the propagation of the spirit
the life of Christ in mems souls.
Now the problem is, How shall we
extend the church, And with only
this desire, to be helpful to those up
on whose planting and watering God
is pleased to make the increase, which
he gives, in some measure to depend,
1 have brought just one suggestion as
to the works.
One at time-that is the motto
suggest to you. Of course there are
some who can throw the big net and
gather in great numbers; but for
most of us l believe the true method
to be one at time. My word to you
then is, concentrate. Be personal. Do
not trust to general appeals in public
places-the pulpit or the prayer meet
ing. Single out your man. Take him
by the hand, and say, "Come, want
to talk with you about the church and
your duty to it,"
The Importance of the individual,
this is my special theme. Concen-
tration upon the individual is the
method to which / exhort you. There
are four considerations by which 1
urge this method:
1. 1t is the best method for the
worker.
2. 1t is the method which gives
best promise of success.
3. 1t is the method which promises
the best success.
4. 1t is commended by the divine
estimate of the individual, and the
divine method of dealing with him.
4. 1t is the best method for the
worker. And this surely is some
something to be thought Of There
is way Of doing thing which al
most Immediately spoils the tools
with which it is done. There is an.
other way which wears them some,
indeed, but keeps them bright and
sharp so long as they are used. Now,
provided the latter does the thing re-
quired as we'll, is it not far the better
method--especially if the tools are of
great value? Now, the question be-
fore us is not what method of working
for men, and for the church, is least
injurious to the tools, but what is
least dangerous to the workers; and
affirm the difference to be greatly in
favor of the method which l have sug-
gested. Here is your public worker,
occupant of some office-some pulpit,
may be. He has great opportunity
to do good, but is subjected, at once,
to great temptation. Let me tell you
what, very often, in his history. His
conspicuous service is applauded, he
becomes ambitious; he is courted and
becomes vain; he is petted and grows
selfish. Not duty, but desire, is para
mount. Our public worker has grown
arrogant, not humane.
Now, such dangers as these never
beset the man who is called to more
personal work for, and relationship
with, his fellowmen-e especially the
needy among them. All this quiet,
personal work, tends to make the
worker humble, and sweet, and low
ing -aye, and manly too. And l
would insist upon this point. 1t does
you very little good to give that
which you never will miss, through
some third party, to some general
missionary or charitable work. If you
will deepen your humanity, and in
crease your Christian love, deny your
self the comfort of your home some
night, that you may sit by and care
for some sick and needy neighbor
Itdoes you very little good to get
up and talk in prayer meeting about
the duty to, and neglect of, Chris
tianity on the part of other members
of the community that is, if you talk
only in meeting. But I'll tell you
what will do you good,-you have
been on the point of doing it a great
many times, but your courage failed
you, and you swallowed the words
you knew you ought to speak. Go
and speak personally to those men
whom you talk about so generally in
meeting. Speak to them where a
chance is given for them to speak
back, and, as surely as a man grows
manly by the exercise of manliness,
so surely will your Christian man
hood gain by this service.
So, try to propagate Christianity by
the personal method; realize the i'm
portance of, and work for, the indi-
vidual, and your Christian spirit will
become at once sWeeter and stronoer