The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-29
SPIRITUAL INFLUENO ES.

The psychology of religion is
grounded in the doctrine and fact of
spiritual influences. Religion, as an
act of conscious personal union, and
communion between the spirit of man
the spirit of God, is impossible with
out it. Hence this doctrine, underlies
all spiritual and divine life. 1t is the
necessary condition of all real piety
and experimental and practical reli-
gion. Is this doctrine true? The in
fuence of the spirit of God upon the
spirit of man is probable. This is
evident from all the analogies of ma
ture and life. Matter attracts mat
ter, life can communicate life, force
can start motion, mind can act upon
mind, thought can awaken thought,
feeling can arouse feeling, love can
enkindle love, and will can guide and
direct will. These facts show that
the thought of God can awaken hui
man thought, the love of God enkin-
die human love, and the will of G cd
influence the will of man. The ON
nipresent spirit of the Infinite Father
can reach, influence, guide and save
all his finite children. AS he is re-
lated to all 80, he has access to, and
influence over, all. None are ex-
cluded from his saving power.
Spiritual influence is fact of ex-
perience. Men are conscious of it.
This consciousness is part of their
mental life. 1t is fact of their spir-
itual history. The purest men and
women claim to have received and
enjoyed it. 1t came into their life as
quickening, purifying, uplifting
power 1t has impaired strength and
given consolation. Millions bear wit
ness to its saving power. Christian
history and biography are full of this
testimony. 1t is voiced in universal
song and revealed in all Christian
worship.
This testimony is confirmed by life
and character. Under this divine
spiritual influence thousands of as
bad men as any known to human his
tory have been awakened, convicted
converted and saved. They have ex-
perienced moral revolution, change
of heart, change of life and a
change of character.
Morally and spiritually, they have
become new men. eff any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature" p
"old things have passed away, and
all things have become new" They
live in a new world, lead a new life,
have new thoughts and feelings, new
aims and purposes in life. The
Bible in its teaching gives great
prominence to the doctrine of divine
spiritual influence. 1t is represented
as the great saving force in Christian
life and character. The Spirit is
mans teacher, comforter, guide, wit
ness, interpreter, and intercessor. 1t
inspires, awakens, regenerates, seals,
sanctifies and saves men as the sons
of God. 1t is the life, light, joy,
peace and strength of Gods people.
1t is by the Spirit that he dwells in
US, and reigns over us. Spiritually,
in God we live, move, and have our
being. He is the light and life of
men. Our happiness in this life, as
we'll as in that which is to come,
largely results from the influence of
the indwelling Spirit of God.
1t is the influence of the spirit that
stills the storm of passion, bushes
the clamor of appetite, and brings
into harmony the warning elements
of the soul. 1t brings to man really
and practically peace with God and
with man. 1t is the spirit of recon-
ciliation and love and forgiveness.
Mans growth in spiritual life is
a result of these divine spiritual infu-
ences. We grow into the likeness and
image of God by being controlled
and influenced by him. 1t is in this
way he dwells in us and we in him.
He imparts moral and spiritual life
We become united to him as the
branches are united to the vine. All
our faculties grow by exercise and
the exercise of our moral and spirit
ual faculties in active union and COM