The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30

intellect as we'll as over the heads of his
congregation. John Wesley said that
all attempts at soaring above mans
natural capacity was "grasping at the
stars and sticking in the mud" / alb.
hor sensational preacher. At the
same time l confess that it seems in
these days as il something unusual is
demanded by people to attract them to
church services. Many churches resort
to music. orchestration, fine choir;
others to distinguished and notable So
cial functions; others secure the pastor
ate OF what is not called preacher or
clergyman. but pulpit orator. The
theory of the sensational preacher is,
suppose. that while he is attracting at
tention by some startling dramatic ac-
tion or figure of speech, he takes advant
age Of an opportunity to drive home
some great truth. Mr.. Taylor in THE
Model Preacher" says: 1.-THE degree
OF excitement which you wish to produce
by an illustration should be graduated
by the character of the subject to be
illustrated. The exciting character of
mere incident may be made such as to
carry the feelings of the hearer away
from the subject instead of carrying
them to it. and thus destroy the effect
OF the principal figure aimed at" On
the other hand, this same writer says:
"Levity in the house Of God is execrable,
but the risible emotions excited by the
appositeness of happy illustration of
truth and serving to swell the sails that
bear the soul heavenward, or that arise
from religious JOY in the soul. are just as
appropriate in divine worship as tears"
This expression comes from a clergy
man. however, who does net fully be.
lieve in the right of private Judgment,
love for the individual conscience, and
it there is less excuse for sensation
al preaching on the part of the clergy
men of one denomination more than an
other, it is that denomination whose car
dinal doctrine is that unity of spirit and
aim should take precedence over unity
OF thought; the exponents of the creed
that leaves something to the trustworthi-
ness Of the human faculties. 1t is neither
my nature nor purpose to find fault; but
l trust you will pardon me if call at.
tention to what seems to me to be want
ing either in the clergy Of our denomina-
tion or in the laity or possibly in both.
We have in our faith and in our hearts
view of the attributes and purposes of
our Creator that is superior to others;
Notwithstanding this fact we have not
made the best use of this faith that we
cherish-it we are to judge by the sue.
cess of affiliated membership. May 1
therefore not urge you as the expound.
ers Of our faith to make the most OF
your opportunities, never missing an
occasion to use the vantage. The most
beautiful picture commands the great.
est price. The best of anything is most
sought after. Our God is the one that
satisfies the longings of humanity
whether in sickness or health, in pros
perity or adversity, in sunshine or
shadow, looking backward or forward.
1t is good to live by, to work by or to die
by. 1t is full of charity, love and un-
selfish devotion to others. 1t seems to
me that it is the only doctrine that can
be successfully preached, and yet / know
that others gain the favor of the many
and we are always in the minority. 1
Gm inclined to the opinion that it is
largely for the reason that it is not
understood. Make it your aim there
fore, by your living as we'll as by your
utterances. to undeceive those who
observe and hear. Some will not set
aside their prejudice and give you an
opportunity to speak to them; they must
be influenced by our example and by
you're. Those of you who live in smaller
circles or comm munities can do this
better than those of US who live in a
large city. am frequently asked il /
am not Presbyterian, Methodist or
an Episcopalian, and when away from
home l have been asked where l
preached.
have many friends who do not attend
the Universalist Church. / have many
friends who say they are religionists but
not Christians; have friends, intimate
friends, who are regular attendants upon
and devout members of the Episcopal,
the Congregational, the Presbyterian
and the Methodist churches. We talk
occasionally upon matters of religion. l
have become more and more impressed
with what is commonly called the liber.
alizing of churchmen. 1t seems to me
somehow that nearly everybody is a
Universalist away down inside. / have
sometimes thought that perhaps the
mission of the Universalist Church is
over; that the whole loaf has been leav.
ened. Few intelligent men seem to fear
a perpetual physical lake of fire; few
men seem to believe that the gates of
that Beautiful City are never to open to
them; that it is possible to sin away the
day of salvation and that evolution and
progress cease with the material body.
A cruel Creator is generally denied.
This. however, is largely without one
great denomination that seems to hold