New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-31
THE TNIVERSiLIST CREED.

II Is customary In some quarters 10 say that
rnversallsm has ceased to be potent factor
In American Christianity 1t Is undoubtedly
true that the percentage OF growth In the de-
nomination has been ess In recent years than
that Of some OF the other Christian bodies. But
Tnlvcrsallsls would claim that this apparent ar-
rest Of growth has been simply due to the fact
that the other denominations have come prac-
tlcay 10 tolerate the tenets OF UnIversalism.
Many Congrcgatonallsts today. for instance,
hold the theory Of probation after death, which
goes very far In the direction OF niverSallSm.
And even In so conservative body ms the Epis-
copal Church many persons get rid OF the doc
trne of eternal torment by holding that the In
corrlgibly wicked will he annlhllated ut death.
Invcrsalists say. IN fact, that they have been
too successful; for they have tincturcd the whole
Of modern Christianity with their views, and
therefore many who are virtually Tniversalists
find it unnecessary TO join the Unversalist de-
nomination
However this may be- the I'nivcrsalst Con
venilon that met the other day in Chicago shows
that TnIverSallsm IS still vital force. The de-
nomination Is holding It's own. and the churches
generally are IN prosperous condition. The
most important action taken 10y the convention
was the modification Of the official creed Of the
denomination known as the Winchester Confess
sion because II was adopted NJ Winchester
y H.. in 1903 That creed consists Of the fol-
lowing three articles:
Article l. We believe that the Holy Script
ures Of the Old and New Testamcnts contain
n revelation Of the character OF God and OF the
duty interest and final destination Of mankind
Article H. We believe that there Is one Cod
whose nature IS love. revealed in one Lord
Jesus Christ. by one Holy Spirit of Grace. who
will finally restore the WhOle iainlly OF mankind
to holiness and happiness.
Article Ill We believe that holiness and true
happiness are inseparably connected, and that
believers ought to be careful TO maintain order
and practise good works. for these things are
good and profitable unto men.
While this declaration has been generally ac-
ceptable to the denomination, one phrase Of IT,
"wllo will finally restore etc, has been the
subject Of widespread criticism. 1t was said
that. according to I'niversasm. man never be-
came totally depraved, and so does not need TO
be restored to his supposed condition of Adamic
innocence
This view Of the question has been urged even
more earnestly since 1876, when the creed was
made obligatory as Il condition of denomna-
tional fellowship. At the convention which met
at Mcridcn, Conn. two years ago n new creed
WIS approyed IN which the Objectionable phrase
did not appear. 10 DP'oin" uIlill!
This creed had to be ratified by the convention
that has Just met. 1t was evident for some time
before the convention met however, that It
would not be ratified. The sentimental feeling
in favor of retaining the Winchester declaration
rs the historic creed Of the denomination was
strong and widespread. After thorough and
exhaustive discussion In the Chicago Convention
this feeling finally shaped It's verdict The
Merden creed not approved, but on the
other hand a proposal Of the Massachusetts
delegates was adopted, 10 the effect that the
Winchester creed be retained unamended as the
historic creed of the denomination. but that 1t be
no longer made obligatory as n condition Of de-
nomlnational fellowship. Hereafter, therefore
the conditions Of fellowship will be simply:
The universal fatherhood Of God.
son. Jesus Christ.
The trustworthiness or the Bible as contain
ing a revelation from God
The certainty OF Just retributicn for sin.
The final harmony OF all souls with God.
TO Unlversasts generally this action will be
regarded as a happy solution Of the question
Some day. possibly, n genius in creedmaking
may arise who will formulate creed that more
accurately expresses the mind Of Cnversalism
than does the Winchester creed. But until then
j. will stand as the denominations historic gym