The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-13

ing spiritually larger by its touch we
grow smaller.
Every church member can figure
out approximately what his proper
portion of that church's current ex-
pense is. If you pay less than that,
you are spoDgiDg on some one more
loyal than yourself If others are
not more loyal than yourself, the
honest obligations of the church will
go unpaid. A church society that
does not pay its debts when due can
not be very great saving power
Such a church should utilize the
prayer, 'Lord, what shall I do to be
saved?" 1t should learn to save it.
self, before it goes into general saw
ing business.
A Board of Trustees creates obliga
tions based on the proposition that
each member will render tribute ac-
cording to his or her pledge or ability.
A failure to meet such individual OBJ
legation is rank dishonesty, both to
the trustees and to the people with
whom they have contracted debts.
To succeed in this world you must
be honest. If your church is not
safe in relying on your pledges, l
would suggest that it would be un-
safe for any one else to trust you.
The church you belong to stands as
your representative in the religious
world To be powerful it must have
clean, honest record. An honest,
loyal, earnest membership will make
any church succeed in its particular
work. 1t is the duty of every mem
Der to be kind and considerate of
every other member
Ii you discover a weak spot in the
chara cter of brother or sister, don't
advertise it; you may have weak spots
yourself, and there is always plenty
of gratuitous advertising of such
matters without your help. You can
afford to be honest and candid, no
matter if you are misunderstood. If
there is ember you do not like,
do not tell it; your mental vibration
will make him or her aware of it. Do
not forget that every thought and
word is an act of sowing seed, and
there are no dead kernels; they all
grow, and the harvest will be yours.
fortunately, however. sEss ia as true
of kindly thoughts and kindly words
as of the other kind. 1t is of kind
thoughts, acts and words that heav-
emily treasure is made up. And such
are really the only staying assets. A
church whose membership posse ssss
plenty of these will have no cause to
default on it's obligations no matter
what the times are.
have been a member of the Uni
versalist church in Grand Rapids
for twenty years. During that time
all sorts of conditions have prevailed.
Whenever / have heard a report of
the church's financial status by COM
pairing it with the previous one, |
could tell whether the true life of the
members was rising or falling.
When spiritual life in a church loses
its warmth, it's cash receipts fall off.
Ii the ministers sermons become
cold and intellectual, again the cash
receipts fall off.
AT the outset | said that church
is religious institution. The Uni
versalist pulpit is not for the purpose
of teaching science or philosophy. It's
spiritual teachings, however, must
be up to date and in harmony with
the latest discovered truths. A min
lister that cannot keep up with the
newly discovered truths of the day
will soon be left behind by at least
part of the members of his church.
To be member of church has a
meaning. Every person who joins
the church assumes a responsibility
with every other member. He or
she is equally responsible for the
faithful performance of every duty
of the church toward the community
in which it is located. 1t is the duty
of every member to appropriate from
his earnings proper amount for the
support of the church and then pay
it promptly. Above all never find
fault with any one or anything. AL
ways be kindly one toward another.
Harmonious action is absolutely
necessary to the highest success.
Let every member be true and loyal
to his duty; then there will be no f.
nancial emergencies to take care of.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.
Scandalized His Brethren.
II ;s on ID, ,ofassor CbialdS as oIo,.o.,,v.,o,.