The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-10
The Greed Question.
AN ADDRESS TO THE UNIVERSAL
IsT CHURCH.
BY REV. EDGAR LEAV1rT,
Tokyo, Japan.


question. l have neither written nor
spoken anything publicly in regard
to the matter; but l am reminded
that the time is short and that l must
speak soon, if at all, before the de-
cision is rendered by the General
Convention.
Being in the third generation OF a
Universalist family, and having in
ministry of more than twenty years,
tried to be loyal and faithful, think
l have some right to speak, and L
should feel l had been unfaithful
were | to let this serious occasion pass
by without saying something to my
brethren and sisters Of the ministry
and laity of the Universalist Church,
whether the effect Of what may say
be much or little.
1. In the first place, 1 hope the
creed will not be changed, because L
do not wish to see it changed, except
for the better, and none OF the
changes proposed seem to me better,
but rather distinctively more obJec-
tionable. They are all weak in their
their positive assertion of a Christian
Universalist position. They seem to
be advances toward "the creed OF no.
creedism," which no doubt is con-
sidered desirable by some among US,
but to which | have been unable to
reconcile myself.
The fact is, we or some OF us, IN
our desire to destroy bad creeds,
have advocated mo creedism," until
it has reacted upon ourselves.
Creeds are good, if they are only
good creeds; bad, if bad ones, and
"No Creed" seems to me one of the
poorest of creeds.
1t is the fond idea of some that by
getting rid of our creed or by adopt
ing one which does not mean much
of anything dogmatic, we shall hold
with us a large number, who other
wise must pass out, as well as gain a
large number who would be glad to
be with us were there no creedal re-
quirement. Doubtless, to some ex-
tent, there is truth in this, though
not to so great an extent as is i'm
agined, but still the question arises
whether there is any wisdom in such
a course, even as a matter of denom-
national policy, to say nothing of
principle.
As look upon the denominations
about US, do not find those winning
most adherents, or increasing fastest
in ministry or communicates, who
would have little or no creedal or dog
matte basis, but rather the reverse.
We may lose some if we do retain a
creedal position; but we shall gain
others, and Uice Uersa. Which will be
worth more to us? have no hest
tatioa in saying it is better for us to
stand by our creed until we can get
one even stronger, clearer, better and
more positive in its affirmations, and
that we should line up as demon
ination to the one we now have.
The Winchester Profession errs, if
at all, by what it does not say, rather
than by what it does say. l should
be glad to see the fourth article
added to it which our Southern breth-
rem are in the habit of using.
1 should not be unwilling to see
some simple form of consecrating
pledge, like Ian McLaren's statement,
adopted in the admission of men,
bers to the church, though theologic-
ally, it must be regarded as incom-
plete, hardly creed at all, if we
could only have some stronger state
ment that would insure the sound
ness of our ministry; for it is right
here that our chief difficulty lies.
think we may we'll recognize the
distinction between the church teach
ing and the church taught, that a
higher need for sound belief rests
upon the ministry than upon the
congregation, because of their posi-
ton as teachers.
ii. We must not expect to get
a creed, or a no-creed that will please
everybody, that will keep everybody
with us, or bring everybody to us. 1t
can't be done. President Nash, l
think it was, once we'll said that
"when you get platform "a greedy
so broad that everybody can stand
upon it, it will be so low, that nobody
will care to stand upon it," In try
ing to please everybody, we shall
please nobody, and people will say,
"Why should l join; am well
enough off as l am. There should
be something to convert somebody
to.
III. Again, if we adopt the policy
of "no-creedism, orwhatis practically
the same thing, there would seem to