The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-23

anu vet all COdI mdcnlueIf lcPiOoon'
ing vast amount of brain and effort
is helpless without the power of
steam which is to propel that mighty
leviathan in her passage across the
ocean. Let that power once affect
her machinery, and how msjestically
she glides away on her outward voy-
age. We need hidden power which
shall put in motion and render effect
ual the organization of our church
life. Without that power, all our
boosted appliances for the perform
ance of spiritual work will be in
and fruitless.
l count it privilege to bear testi-
mony, very grateful testimony, to
the splendid work rendered by our
denomination in the days that are
past. l rejoice to speak of the fidel'
ity to principle which marked that
work. We live in an age when new
power is stirring the hearts of men.
On all sides we hear the cry for a
forward movement. They tell us
that this age is be tttr one than any
preceding it; that it is marked by a
larger, fuller life, and truer and
nobler service. There is glad OPP
timistic ring in all this which
awakens hope and courage. At the
parting of the ways, when there NAV
be a disposition to burn incense on
the altar of present opportunities,
and in so doing to forget the obliga-
ton to the past, it may be we'll very
briefly to review the present position
of theological thought, and mention
some of the clear gains that have
been made during the century that
is 80 soon to close its final chapter.
We shall find that the controversies
of each successive period of thought
have only served to lead the church
to a clearer understanding of the
truth as it is in Jesus. No new Cos
pei has been dissolved to supplant
the old, but the old has been rad in
a new light. Verify, creeds and dog
mas change, but the everlasting Cos
pei remains. The Gospel preached
by Peter and Paul, and which moved
men nightly in those days, is the
same Gospel which today when pro-
claimed with like fervor will have
power and will prevail.
Let us now examine some of our
theological gains:
l. The truer thought of God preva-
lent in the teaching and preaching of
this day must be regarded as one OF
the clear gains made. Contrast the
preaching now almost universal
which loves to dwell upon the bless
edness of Gods love to all men, even
the most sinful and guilty, with that
which regarded his attitude of love as
a writer once put it, Gas mere judi
cial pity for the world" Itseems al
most beyond belief, but careful Pc
rusal of many sermons that have
come to us will bear out the state
ment. The appeal to the sinner in
these later days is based not upon
the terrors of some future hell, but
on the infinite tenderness of a Father
yearning for his wandering children.
It is surely a gain that we have been
brought thus to understand what is
so clearly stated in the New Tesla
ment, but has been so imperfectly
understood by the church in all these
centuries,-that "God is love-" and
that his kingdom is and ever will be
the rule of love. The God of the
modern pulpit is being infinitely
pitiful, friend eternally faithful, a
Father who shares the joys and sor-
rows of his children. The proclama-
ton of the universal Fatherhood of
God has not injured the activities of
the church. One has we'll said: "It is
a matter of profound moment that
this idea of God has only served
to quicken all missionary movement
at home and abroad" The nobler
and more Christian faith in God has
quickened the church's zeal. Let
those who work in the vineyard once
grasp this wondrous truth and there
must follow holy passion for souls.
2. Another clear gain may be
termed truer view of the personality
of Jesus Christ, and the scope and
purpose of his work and mission.
The great doctrine of his humanity
had been hidden. Without this any
view of his divine nature would be
poor and barren. Today there is a
grander and more helpful conception
of Christ prevalent than in any pre-
vious period of the church's history.
Old views of the doctrine of atone
ment have persisted. In place of
them there has come to the front a
diviner thought of the value of man,
and a deeper sense of the real one