The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-24


garden by setting out and cultivating
particular things. 1t is so in life's
spiritual realm, so in truths conser-
vatories. We develop in our individ-
uality by faithfulness to the demands
OF day; we master truth in sections.
in the contemplation of topics, and
by making each a part of lifes COM
pleteness.
l have almost or quite suggested an
other picture which is the better. For
each shade supply line of light, by
each word descriptive of lack set it's an
tonym; and you shall have before you
the ideal which should be sought and
attained.
Some practical reflections will be
made subject to your consideration.
l. 1t has doubtless occurred to the
most of US that our National Committee
gives US excellent topics, those which
are useful and which, if we follow their
natural suggestions, will insure great
variety of treatment. There should be
no fixed rules for the development of
themes. no model after which all meet
ings may be alike fashioned. The sub.
iect should be the formative principle
of Christian Union meeting. Seldom,
il ever. should whole chapters from the
Scriptures be read-only those portions
which bear upon the topic. The songs,
of course, should be made to cluster
close about the theme. When a min
lister prepares discourse, he should not
take plan somewhat after the manner
of an architect and model his sermon as
structure of bricks and boards, of laths
and plaster. A text should be the soil
for seed-thoughts. and topic should
grow as tree grows. What it shall be,
what it shall look like, must depend
upon the principle of life which works
within. 1t must unfold after a law
natural to it and to no other form of
life. Similarly should any subject for
our Christian Union be treated, while
not so lengthy as that of the minister's
discourse. IL one leader might take
every theme for year, he should pre-
sent no two in like form, unless their
nature required it. Nor, then should
any leader initiate another, or try to do
a thing about or just as another has
done it. Let there be variety. Let us
add something to the commonplace. Let
there be a solo, instrumental or vocal;
or duet, or a quartet OF instruments
or voices. Let there be recitation from
a child trained to speak we'll. Have
everything as much in harmony as pos
sible. Always have the substantials.
Let the deserts and delicacies come
week after week according to taste.
2. Printing topics and the names of
leaders together for whole year in adj
vance may be in favor with some, in dis
favor with others. l am personally con-
WINGED that more can be said against it
than for it. Experience has proved that
when the year is half gone, third or
more of the names remaining are not
available for the dates; some have
moved away, others are visiting, others
still are disabled or have conflicting en-
gagements. And it is only the fact that
substitutes are frequently needed which
provides places of leadership for new
members received during the year.
Working up to a general plan is we'll;
but let us not so plan as to make it i'm
practicable. / prefer a report of leaders
a month only in advance at each bust
ness meeting. This carries the leader
ship of topics beyond each regular
business session. 1t is less trouble to
the chairman of the devotional COM
mittee and he or she may better adapt
assignments to certainty and fitness.
3. The devotional committee is Sec
ond in Importance to only one, if to that,
a. e.. the lookout committee. Much will
depend upon the chairman who presides
over the religious welfare of the Union.
He or she may assist the leaders, may
suit members to subj ects, may provide
helper for the timid, may cooperate in
securing varied and pleasing features
for the meetings. After the president is
chosen, the best available material for
officers should be reserved for the chair
manship of the devotional committee.
And the latter should excel in qualities
wherein the former may equal only the
average Union.
4. Members, and more especially lead
ers' should not depend much upon helps
made ready for them. IL they are de-
pendent they should become wholly in
dependent as soon as possible. The
child shall not learn to walk by being
carried. Our limbs shall dwindle with
crutches. We become strong with that
exercise which we will to take and
continue with pleasure. No leader
should omit to take the Introductory
devotional parts and present some
thoughts of his own upon the theme. In
songs the souls melodies may be poured;
in formula of prayer the hearts rev.
erence may be offered. The Lords
Prayer is good. but Jesus did not advise
us to use it alone. He said: after this
manner pray ye.' He did not tell us to
pray that form of words over and over,
and nothing else. The living spirit
Graves newness. The soul that develops
raf OH lornor