The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09

taken after the reports until o'clock.
wOMAN's ASSOCIATION MEETS.
When the President again called
the assembly to order, he introduced
Mrs. o. W. Nash, of Oak Park, as the
President of the Universalist Wo-
mans Association of the state. The
afternoon was devoted to the inter
ests of that organization. The bust
ness of the Association was trans
acted, officers elected, and member
ship fees collected. Following came
an hour or more of addresses from
various speakers, on the general
topic of the church, its dangers, evil
dent needs, present condition and
the outlook for the future.
Among those who were heard
we're Mr.. Winkelman, Mr.. Richard
son, DIR. Nash, Mr. Cook, DIR. Cantwell,
Mrs. Prof. Grubb and DIR. Stocking.
Some very plain words were spoken
by President Winkelman in refer
ence to the failure of some preachers
to magnify Christ in their ministry.
1t was not secularism of any sort
that was needed in the pulpit, but
Christian preaching in which Christ
would be the central theme ard
source of inspiration. The church
had suffered and was suffering from
the absence in many pulpits of the
true evangelistic spirit. DR.. Nash
believed that more enthusiasm was
needed, and that our church can be
more rapidly pushed to the front
DIR. Stocking believed that there was
only one way to successful preach
Christ and him crucified. He ha1
but one ambition and that to do
the work of the Christian pastor.
DIR. Cantwell spoke of our well de-
fined progress during the sixty years.
There was encouragementin the retro
spect. Mentioning the historical fact,
that in some communities sixty OF
st yentY years ago, women did not at
tend Universalist services on accoun,
of the prejudice against the faith, Mr..
Winkleman turned the tables effect
ually against the speaker. and raised
much merriment by reading from the
ancient records the names of dozen
or more women who assisted in the
organization of the Convention sixty
years ago. This turn was most for
tunate in dispelling the somewhat
somber cloud which rested on the
congregation after the plain talk re-
garding the general situation. A.
the conclusion of the several i'm
promptu addresses an adjournment
took place until the evening services
THE OCCASIONAL SERMON.
At 7:30 the church was we'll filled
the Earlville people attending il
good numbers for the first time.
After special music by the choir and
preliminary services conducted by
Rev. W. E. Leavitt, of Morrison,
and Rev. 7. B. T. Fisher, of Hopes
ton, the Occasional Sermon was de
livered by Rev. Rodney F. Johonnot
of Oak Park. His subject was THE
Fulfillments of Christianity" Text:
Matthew, v. II: Think not l am
come to destroy the law or the
prophets. come not to destroy but
to fulfill" Some of the points of
the sermon were as follows:
l. Jesus not destructionist of T. Q
old order; came to fulfill the law, ano
Judaism. Not ceremonial, but moral
law. He showed this by reference t.
Christ's treatment of that law in chap
ter
III. This is why Christianity has Sue
ceeded; because it built on the past; pre-
served all the truth and good that had
been wrought out by experience. Truth
comes slowly to mankind. Orthodoxy
has its truths OF mighty power. Lber-
alism to succeed, must build on them,
eliminating errors by accepting and full
filling truths. 1t must show that it's
negations are only the denias of denials
of orthodoxy, as to G ID. man, revelation.
etc.
III. The affirmations of orthodoxy
il must fulfill. First: COB Il Show
his sovereignty over evil. 81 His Da-
ture love, not mere Justice, (3) His
method not unknown and arbitrary but
orderly and movable. Second: Christ
as Saviour: Saves all, not few. Saves
by natural method; by righteousness
and way to it. Fufills not OF ly Hebrew
prophecy. but prophecy of nature from
creation. which from first gave promise
of an ideal man. Third: Revelation:
Is universal; not limited to Hebrews and
Bible. Is in nature; revelation of
God and his laws. Belongs to us now.
w. Must emphasize these points
to succeed: a. Build on God and
our duty 10 him; life a trust; our
money and talents TO be used for his
service; that service best shown in work
for man. ~ Not TO reject Christ or
belittle him but show him to be the ideal
man; his life our example. 81 Insist
thai God talks TO US now; the open heart