The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-12

The Baccalaureate Sermon of 1879
at Lombard, was given in the Uni
versalist church on Sunday morning
of commencement week. The UNIvER-
sALIsT follows it's usual custom OF
presenting full report of this i'm
portant sermon. Given this year by
President Nash, it was generally rec
ognized as one of the ablest of a
series of Baccalaureate's which have
been delivered in former years at
Lombard by the distinguished presi-
dents of the college and notable
scholars of our church. DIR. Nash
choose his text from Galatians vi. 4:
BE not deceived; God is not Knocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap"
The fundamental thought of the
sermon was the univeisality of the
law of cause and effect and it's bear
ing upon character. 1t was pointed
out that the doctrine of the text was
not new with Paul. 1t was implied
in the admonition to Adam, in the
word of Hosea, in the proverbs and
in the teachings of Jesus. After
showing how an appreciation of this
law, in contradistinction to belief
in divine Intervention was gaining
ground, how necessary such an appre-
citation was to any orderly conception
of the universe, and how any contrary
conception would paralyze the mind,
chill endeavor, and render thought
itself chaotic, the doctor discussed in
stances in which the infexible appli-
cation of the law seems cruel, and
where ethical and sympathetic con-
siderations seem to call for exemp-
ton. Should not ignorance be pro-
tected from it's own frailties and fol-
lies, and should not self immolation,
for the sake of others, be honored by
waving the entailment of the conse-
quences?
In answer to the first question it
was shown that the exemption of ig-
norance from painful consequences
would tend to arrest mans develop
ment, that it would destroy half the
incentive to knowledge, and that in
dividual comfort must often be con-
travened for the general good. The
inconvenience which innocent igno-
rance suffers is temporary, and in the
end conduces to both individual and
common profit. The interior conss-
quences of innocent and willful ig-
norance are vastly different.
The answer to the second ques-
ton was that exemption in cases
where obedience to higher moral
obligation in violation of some lower
law, as when one risks his own life
to save another, would spoil the
heroism OF such acts, would dis
organize nature, and would smirch
the honor of the transaction. Deeds
of self-sacrifice have their own re-
ward, which is all the richer and
sweeter for its cost.
The speaker next briefly discussed
certain other objections to this law of
universal causation, as that it gives
to the universe the aspect of a prison
house, and impugns Gods free ac-
ton, especially in answer to earnest
prayer. In an swer it was pointed
out that as this law is the expression
of Gods orderly will, his will is not
abridged thereby, and that just in
proportion as the idea becomes cur
rent that an appeal to the divine
clemency will forestall the operation
of law, men will direct their energies
to devising means of circumventing
justice by an appeal to the throne. 1T
is not worth while to preach the con-
sequences that attach to conduct, if
through the intrusion of supernatur-
al agencies these consequences may
be averted."
AT this point the question was
raised, whether, after all, the expert
ence of mankind shows that there is
such an infallfble adjustment of
causation to consequences in the
matter of character. There is an
almost universal opinion to the con
trary. There is feeling that some
of the injustices and immunities of
this life are to be atoned for in the
future life This, the doctor thought,
hazardous position. If the princi-
pie be not omnipotent now, there is
no adequate ground for predicting
its full sovereignty at any futurs
time.
Still, something was to be CON
coded to environment in shaping life;
not, however, to the extent of admit
ting that circumstances ever make
the man. Upon the throne is the in
dividual will, making it's own choices