The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
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stronger bodies we find our own. Wher
we compare our numbers with those Of
the so-called Evangelical church ours
indeed seem insignificant. Our work
and our influence must not be judged
by our numbers. Neither must we
admit for single moment that the
work accomplished in the past is to be
the measure of our growth in the future.
There is not single man amongst us
who can look back upon an active life of
| twenfy-seven years and conscientiously
say to himself that he has done all that
he could have done, that he has en-
braced every opportunity and been
faithful to every trust. He is a courage
GUS man who in making such a retro
spect, will acknowledge his short
comings and his failures, and say to
himself have striven and have failed,
at leaet give me credit for the striving.
The dreams of my youth have not been
realized but the ideals are still with me.
AAAtVA Oil thOSO yCdIS VI sc6WtDS uS6'
less effort l have still the strength and
courage to try once more 10 attain them
We need not be ashamed to acknowledge
our shortcomings. A true patriot and
Christian can always make a manly
defense as did Paul before the Roman
Governor. Our chusch has not en-
traced erarv opporfur;ty ~ hoe not
been equal to the work put upon it, still
we have no reason TO be pessimistic.
Let us set about to find wherein we
have been and still are weak. Let US
hope to mend our evil ways, to strength
en- ourselves and do robler service for
God and men. We need not hesitate to
look to our Evangelical brethren for help
or shrink from adopting their methods
il it is proved that by them they are
doing better service for the Master. The
Master we serve as truly as they. In
the common task there are difficulties in
common. You will find them asking
the same questions and trying to solve
the same problems. l believe that the
Universalist Church was never in better
condition for loyal service than it is to-
day. Let US not be afraid of ourselves.
There are many things one would like
to say upon this occasion. 1t is seldom
that layman has such au opportunity
OF addressing 30 many clergymen. 1t
would be ungracious to take advantage
of it. You who are here need not to be
told of the Importance of supporting
this organization, The General Con.
vention.
We regret that there are some who do
not realize the fact that such body as
this is absolutely essential to the exist
ence of the Universaliet church as an
organized power for Christian work in
the world. In this day and generation
while the importance of the individual
must not be overlooked, the existence
of organization is absolutely necessary.
The great weakness of the earlier work
of our denomination is to be found in
the fact that we did not realize the
necessity of united effort. All were SO
busy in tearing down the errors of old
dogmas that little time was given to the
building up Of a church militant. 1t is
mistake to take away the faith of any
man unless you are sure that you can
ground him in better one. Much time
was given setting forth what we did not
believe. This was then and is now q
mistake. You cannot build upon mega
tions. There is positive work to be
done and there is need of men with con-
victions to undertake the task. A man
with an opinion is of small account in
this world. A man of conviction has
power to revolutionize the community
in which he dwells. l believe that we
have at last come to appreciate the i'm.
portance of organized effort / heard
one OF our members say that not a
Universalist in the West dare stand
against this convention. This is not the
spirit that we want. We must be able
to say that not clergyman in our entire
denomination can be found who does
not respect and love it.
One of the fundamental principles of
the gospel of Christ, as we interpret it.
may we'll be here set forth. 1t is "a love
of service. and service of love-" The
spirit of this convention has been fine.
| would that every minister enjoying
the fellowship of the Universalist church
could have been present during the en-
tire session; know that each and every
one would have gone from it not only
with greater respect, but with deeper
love. To me it has brought revelation.
For twenty years we have been discuss
ing the revision of our creed. We have
dreaded to approach the subject at
each succeeding convention, fearing that
through our action some of our number
might be driven away. At lenght, we
have awakened to the fact that, in what
we thought was our greatest weakness.
lies our greatest strength. These years
of trial and uncertainty have revealed it
to US. In spirit we are unanimous
Each and every one Of us is willing to
go forth bearing the banner of our
church, upon which is written. in no
uncertain words: We believe in the
universal Fatherhood of God. The