The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-09
DIR. JOHN WATSON ON THE FATHER
HOOD OF GOD.

'IAN MAcLAREN," the pen name OF
DR.. JOHN WATSON, of Liverpool, is
associated quite widely with his
charming Scottish sketches entitled
beside the Bonnie Brier Bush," and
1.-THE Days of Auld Lang Syne," and
he has reaped fame and money dur
ing the last year or two, by reason of
these charming books. His volume
of sermons entitled "The Mind of the
Master" is not SO widely known as
these stories, but is equally worthy of
his fame and powers. if it does not in =
deed transcend in beauty and genius
the more widely known volumes.
DR.. Watson is Presbyterian-that
is to say, he is the pastor of the most
prominent Presbyterian church in
LIVERPOOL; out one will look in vain
through these sermons for any of
the ear-marks of old theology. They
are as far removed from the gloomy
inculcations of Calvinism as the SER
mons of Phillips Brooks, or James
Martineau. The volume is instinct
with the spirit of spiritual Christian
ity-a Christianity that rises above all
narrow and chilling dogmas,-while
at the same time it reaf6rms with
splendid emphasis and great beauty
of expression the fundamentals of
Christian faith.
We are not surprised that already,
amid the popular acclaim that at
tends this charming writer, there are
heard whispers in orthodox circles, of
DIR. Watson's questionable the
ology" and his latitudinarianism in
regard to old-time doctrines of the
orthodox faith. We leave to the
Presbyterians to settle the question as
to his soundness or unsoundness as
a theologian, and as to how far, or to
what extent, his Interpretation of
"The Mind of the Master" can be
made to harmonic with the teach
ings of the church to which the au
thor belongs, and of which he is, in
his own country, an eloquent and
popular preacher. We are concerned
just now to direct the attention of
readers to one of the chapters in his
volume, with the significant title,
"Fatherhood, the Final Idea of God"
This discourse is one of the clearest
and most Illuminating in the series,
and certainly from Universalist
standpoint, is sound to the core,
teaching as it does, the Universal
Fatherhood in terms which are I'M
equivocal, and inspiring confidence
and faith in the sublime doctrine
which it sets forth.
DIR. Watson cannot End the Divine
Fatherhood exceptin very shadowy
form in the Old Testament. He notes
the absence of the Father even in the
Psalms in their highest spiritual ex
preston. "The Psalmist never said
the word," remarks DR.. Watson,
"Jesas never said anything else.
With Jesus, God aud Father we've
identical. Fatherhood was not side
of Deity, it was the center. God
might be King and Judge; He was
first of all, and last of all, and through
all, Father. In Fatherhood, every
other relation of God must be har-
monized, and find its sphere. Short
of his Fatherhood you cannot stop in
the ascent of God. Under Father
hood is gathered every other revela-
ton"
This is very comprehensive state
ment, as the reader will very readily
observe; and no doubt DR.. Watson
thoroughly understands the signifi
canoe of his declarations. He finds
the teachings of Jesus centering
around this view of Fatherhood. The
principle of life which Jesus taught,
was the will of the Father. His
type of character was the Father.
Providence was a mindful over
sight of the Father. Repentance was
a return to the Father, and Jesus
thoughts of the future was expressed
in the word, SIN my Fathers House
are many Mansions" After quoting
the words of Jesus in reference to the
Father, DIR. Watson says: "The eff