The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-02

lutuiC, WIG Ouly lcdoiOlO pioH III o'S n0
would seem to be to refer the whole
matter again to committee, instruct
ing them to report thereon at the end
of twenty years! This period would
be none too long for needed rest in
respect to it, nor for the deliberations
necessary to conclude on one
likely to rival in favor the existing
one. Meanwhile the much delayed
work proper of the church could be
resumed and much advanced.
The matter of reform in ministerial
fellowship recommended by the
board is greatly important, though it
is difficult to prescribe remedies that
could be applied. There are too
frequently fellowship committees that
do not sufficiently examine into the
antecedents of the candidate, his
moral and social qualities or theo-
logical bases; and if he but has the
liberal habit of thought and is good
decl inner he has little difficulty in
passing. When once in, it is more
difficult to deal with a case unless it
is very extreme. But such are not
the ones who usually do the most
injury. 1t is the intriguing disloyal
demagogue of fair parts in other re-
CARDS, who, fastening himself upon
church, at once proceeds to propa-
gate foreign sentiments, leading to
alienation and final d sloy atty and
practical separation into independ-
ency and peoples churchism, from
whom most is to be feared. Their
methods usually are to gather in
from the outside people of like
thought and spirit to replace those of
more conservative views till trans
formation is accomplished. What
can be done to prevent this character
of offense, dominated as we are by
peace at any price policy, is some
what of problem. 1t might be sug
gested that it arises in large part
from the too frequent habit of allow
ing the outside element to dictate
who shall be called to the passionate.
People who care notenough for church
to identify themselves with it are not
usually the ones to care for the
preachers loyalty to it, or to Chris
tianity, for that matter. Usually it
is more to their taste that he should
be abusive and defiant of both. 1t
undoubtedly would be a step for
ward, when the convenanted men,
bership, with such as are co-laborers,
would entrust themselves to their de-
nominational advisors with the i'm
portant matter of selecting pastor.
Other denominations hold constant
surveillance over their ministers, and
thereby maintain a healthful meas
ure of uniformity and popular conf
dence. An examination is held or
reported at every conference or set
Element, not only as to character but
doctrine. And minister impatient
with this would be deemed an unsafe
custodian of the church's interests.
And would corporation of any kind
Judge the policy unwise when APP
piled to their own affairs? And is
the Universalist Church an exception
to this law of corporate life? Ought
not as much care be exercised over
those to whom she commits her in
terests2
Is there anything wrong about it
when she is entrusted with legacies
to apply to the support and propaga-
ton of the definite class of principles
and doctrines she stands for? Much
is vociferated in respect to conscience.
Might it not be we'll to note how it
would apply in these conditions9
There is quite general cutlery
against heresy trials among us and
by the secular press, and certainly
there would be nothing especially
pleasant about them. And usually
other methods can be made suffi-
GENTLY effective, but church with
out the means and disposition to sep
arate from itself the conditions that
peril its life is not in fit state to ask
for patronage and gifts.
The other matter to specially claim
the attention of the Convention is
that of charging the representation.
1t is urged that the representation is
too small to command proper re
spect from the public. And the Uni
tarians are put in evidence again,
who, though much smaller than we,
numerically, muster bigger meetings
at their general convocations. Be it
so, then certainly something besides
big conventions is necessary to gen.
eral prosperity. 1t is urged that it
would bring the people more in touch
with that body. If the Convention