The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-05

problems are not as grave as those
confronted by our fathers. The out
look is not nearly so dark as at times
it was for them. There may be those
who, looking out over the denomina-
tional field, are discouraged at the
prospects. Especially is this true if
they are isolated from the denomina-
ton at large, and striving to let their
own little individual church light
shine, without any reference to de-
nominational loyalty, or without
needing denominational appeals
The light will be dim and Pickering
indeed. The person-or the church
who shuts himself up in his own
society, and, clam like, closes his shell
to all outside movements, is not only
very narrow in his vision, but invari-
ably he will become pessimistic in his
conceptions regarding the denomina-
ton. Those who know other people
besides themselves are the most
hopeful; those who minister to the
needs of others, forget their own dis
couragements; those who help bear
the burdens of others are the
strongest. But, whatever the cause
may be, there are those-possibly
they are in this Convention-who are
discouraged and disheartened regard
ing the denomination. To such ones
we say, let the memory of the heroism
of our fathers, their self sacrifices and
their triumphs stimulate you. Be
true to the sacred trust bequeathed
to you. Lift your "pale foreheads
from the dust" of despair; look about
you; enlarge your vision; do your
duty and God will point to you the
way. Angels appear to those who
do their duty; in fact, the desire to
perform the duty is the angel which
points out the "well of water"
Occasionally we find pessimistic
and discouraged minister, who pro-
phesies ruin and defeat To him we
say, Thou art blind leader of the
blind; thou art denominationally
near-sighted. A friend tells me that
a new world of beauty, undreamed of
before, was revealed to him when he
overcame his physical defect of a
near-sighted vision with glasses, and
he could see things as they really
were. Too many of us need glasses,
spiritual glasses, formed of the
crystal of faith, so that we may be
able to see things as they are; to drink
in the beauty, partake Of the hope
fulness, and glory in the exquisite
sublimity of the universe which time
is perfecting, instead of forming our
opinions from our little narrow Wis
ion, and then lamenting because of
the unsatisfactory outlook. Weshould
have vision large enough to see the
beauty and permanency of our relig-
ion, religion based upon a trust in
| him, whose name is Love.
When Elisha's encampment was
surrounded at night by the host of
horses and chariots of the enemy. his
servant in the morning was fright
ened, but the brave prophet and sol
der said, Gear not; for they that be
with us are more than they that be
with them" And he prayed that the
young mans eyes might be opened:
"And behold, the mountain was full
of horses and chariots . round
about Elisha" If our vision, which
often is too narrow, could be enlarged
by an angel, named Faith, we, who
are working in this branch Of the Wis
ible church of God, will take new
heart and new courage and put on
new life, because we will see that
"they that be with us are more than
they that be with them The pow
ers of darkness and of evil are small
indeed, in comparison with the power
OF light and goodness. When we are
discouraged, when, Hagar like, we sit
down and give way before what seems
an inevitable catastrophe; when the
powers of evil encompass us, if we
but have the faith to use the eyes
which God has given US, eyes which
can see through matter and beyond
the present, we will find that the
world is full of heavenly messengers
round about us. See, see, my breth-
rem, comrades as we'll as foes; friends
as well as enemies; saviours as we'll
as destroyers; God as we'll as the
evil.
Omnipotence stands ready by our
side to lay his hand upon our pur-
blind eyes, if we will but let him
Man must bend his will to the will of
God. Working together with God"
is the only satisfactory or successful
way. In that homely old adage,
"None so blind as those who will not
see, is profound truth. Use your
foovIt;o. ,,,UIo n ot.uo 1890. .-.-