The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-13
Universalist Thought.
OUR OWN WRITERS.
Spurious Universalists.

Some of this spurious stock OF Uni
ing themselves conspicuous standing or
sitting (they prefer to sit) on the corners
of the street, and public places general
ly, Earnestly contending for the faith I,
once delivered to the sainte." They are
rather vociferous in their contentious /;
and though seemingly impatient, the
contrary is evidently true, Judging
the time thus spent in heated contro
versy. They appear to be authorities on
the question of Universalism, and give
evidence to the more ignorant of won
derful familiarity with the Scriptures.
But too many of the type of Univer-
salists here described are found wanting
when the test is applied. They are
eager to talk Universalism, but too often
they sadly fail to live it. Too many are
Universalists in theory, but not in
practice. When collection is taken by
the church, or the mission, they are con-
spicuous only by their absence. They
are wise in knowing when collection
will be taken, and harmless in molesting
their dear pockets.-Rev. Thomas Chap
man.
Universalism at the Center.
We can imagine large circle with a
multitude Of lines drawn from center to
circumference, representing the radius
OF the circle. If we stand at the circum-
ference we see the lines cross and con-
fiict with one another, but if we follow
one line to its conclusion we arrive at
the center. whence we see each line
clearly. no one intercepted by another.
Universalism is the point whence we see
all the attributes of an infinite intelli-
gence consistent one with another. In
finite power does not intercept infinit
tenderness, infinite justice does not in
tercept infinite mercy, infinite wisdom
does not intercept infinite love, but all
radiate in perfect harmony from the in
finite being. Man recognizes an attri-
butte of God at the circumference of his
thought, and it is the tendency to follow
it to its conclusion in infinite harmony.
Thus, "as in Adam, all die even so in
Christ shall all be made alive" AS in.
this narrow materialistic manner of
thought and life all men become dissat-
isfied. even so in the thought of an infin-
ite God of infinite desires and capabili-
ties for good they shall find peace.-Rev.
Martha d. Jones.
International Law and Cuba.
international law is the product OF
progress and grew out of the developing
sense of justice and the need of friendly
relations among nations for the conven-
fence of trade--and travel. For over a
year deadly, devastating war has been
raging in the island, fred by hatred and
desperation. the new outburst of fire
which has been:burning for nearly hun
dred years, fed by Spanish cruelty, op-
preston andi barbarism. until it has
grown to be consuming confagration,
sweeping Cuba from end to end. Spain
could smother but never extinguish the
fire of patriotism and freedom burning
too deep in the Cuban heart. The Cuban
people are kept in ignorance and super
stition by the church. in poverty and
slavery by the government, and alto
gether are most oppressed and unhappy
race. They want education and the
CO mforts of life; they want a popular
government and not slavery. AS Murat
HalsteaG says: "Cuba's wrongs are but
the wrongs of EAmerican colonies and
magnitied as much as possible" Accord
ing to international law this conflict is a
private affair within SPANS own politi-
cal h ousehold and every sovereign State
has the right to settle its own affairs,
every interference being considered un-
friendly and cause for war. If we are
willing to risk war we may help Cuba
all we please, but to keep peace we must
remain neutral.-Rev. c. ". E. Gossotc,
The Village Pastorate,
Many village church might retain a
good pastor much longer than it does.
Short and uncertain pastorates have be-
come sosmuch the fashion that pastors
feel obliged after few years in a place
to look for another, lest they shall with
out warning find themselves parishless.
Were it not too much the idea that the
pastor must be pleasing to every mem
ber of the congregation else he must de-
part lest some shall cease to contribute,
many pastorates would be longer. In
some village churches are two factions.
Sometimes these have tacit under
standing that each shall take turns in
being in the saddle. A change in the
pulpit is called for at each change in au-
thority. All the pastorates are thus
ham pered. Quite frequently it happens
that one man dominates the church, in
which case he needs to be of highest
character, sweetest spirit. largest wis
dom and purest love for the church, else
his dominance is misfortune.
Without going further into these mat
ters it is evident that the problem is a
difficult one. perhaps under present con-
ditions not tobe solved. The only thing
that looks in the direction of lift out of
the difficulty is this; An effort must be
made between preachers and parishes to
get nearer together on the matter of sal