The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-21
THE CHANGE OF CREED.

Rev. III. SIade Amends and Extends the
Articles.
One of the first and most evident
propositions would seem to be that
creed should be creed; that it should
be a somewhat authoritative, formal
statement or declaration of essential,
fundamental principles, representing
points Of doctrine which are found hold
ing. both in agreement with, it may be,
but most certainly in distinction from
other denominations. 1t should be some
kind OF statement defining our Uni.
versalism according to the principle of
difference rather than the principle of
identity with others views. and thus be
made helpful in the hands of persons
unacquainted with our sentiments, but
who may wish to know what we believe
and what we do not believe. My own
thought then is that the proposed creed
is inadequate as statement of our diff
ferences from other denominations, and
defines our distinctive opinions at too
few points.
ARTICLE 1.-The Fatherhood of God
and the Brotherhood of man states a
truth, but it is what everybody else
might subscribe to as we'll as ourselves.
ARTICLE II.-That God has spoken
by Jesus, as well as by others. and is
our Exemplar and Saviour. does not dis
tirguish us from other churches. An
Orthodox person might say. 20 yes, l
believe that"
In ARTICE Ill, the definition of SAL
walton is what any body of Christians
might give. The ingathering of all souls
in Christ, is the only statement at all
peculiar to us, which makes me say that
it is inadequate, and hardly to be con-
sidered creed for the denomination.
OF everything else the answer is, $50
say all the churches"
1t has somehow seemed to me that
the Winchester Profession is very much
better, and could be amended so as to
be made reasonably satisfactory to those
who are opposed to any great deal of
change from what we now have, by
very few slight verbal amplifcations
that would be explanatory to that end.
1t may be said to contain. in the main,
what may be considered simple and
systematic statement of what we do
most assuredly believe, and is extensive
enough to cover the chief essentials OF
our faith. l have but little fault to find
with it. just as it stands; but as con
forming to the strictest thought of the
more critical it must be confessed that
it needs to be slightly modified.
The lone Lord" in ARTICLE ii, desig-
mated as Jesus Christ" is not the name
of any person, as we are aware; and the
lone Holy Spirit of Grace" coupled
with God and Christ. seems like an al.
lnsion to the Trinity. And then it is to
be observed that while God is revealed
sin Jesus" the Christ, he is revealed in
all nature, and in humanity, through
prophets and apostles, and all the great
teachers of the ages as WE'LL Some of
these statements are faulty. and | do
not see why all may not accord to the
following, as substantially the Profess
sion we now have. and but briefly ex-
tended from the old.
ARTICLE l. We believe that the
Scriptures of the Old and New Tesla.
ments contain a record of manifold rev.
Citations of the character of God, and of
the duty, interest, and final destination
of mankind. given at sundry times, and
in divers manners.
ARTICLE live believe in an in
finitely good God, especially revealed by
Jesus, the Christ, in love and wisdom
and by the spirit of holiness, grace and
truth. through the effectual working of
which the whole family of mankind will
eventually attain to holiness and happi-
ness.
ARTICLE Hive believe that holi.
ness and true happiness are inseparably
connected, and the believers ought to be
careful to lead lives of righteousness as
the supreme blessedness OF their God
like natures.
These articles as here drawn, give no
coloring to the old restoration idea; to
the Fall of man; the Trinity, or the Holy
Ghost idea Of God. They do not ignore
the historical revelation of Christ in
recognizing only the unwritten revela-
tion of the Spirit; nor do they suggest
anything done as mere policy. or the
performance of duty for the sake of gain
or profit. They require no mental res
ervation. as there is no question of con-
science that need keep anyone from
signing them; and we have a creed, for
aught that ! can see, for the next hun
dred years, which can serve as basis
of a working church as much as any of
Us shall please. H. SLADE.
ELGIN, Ill.