The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-22

tions or institutions. Let those ap-
pointed to business manage the bust
ness, and let not man chosen to do one
thing, himself choose to do another thing
to which he was not appointed. Advice,
influence, public opinion. criticism, are
legitimate modes of affecting manage
ment; bossing is not legitimate.
The spectacle of the House Of Rep
resentatives in session and doing nothing
week after week because the committees
are not appointed, is beginning to pro-
duce wide feeling of disapproval. 1t is
not 80 much that the people care wheth-
or the House is doing business; for there
is suspicion abroad that the public
welfare is often better subserved by it's
adjournment than by it's legislation. II
the House should adjourn and it's men,
bers 90 home there would be no com
plant. But what irritates is the feeling
that the present method Of non-proced-
ure is contrary to our principles and ira
ditions. The speaker obstructs the bus
mess of the House. He does so with
malice aforethought. He has appealed
to the House to say whether it likes his
policy. and it has voted approval. Now
the motive may be good; it may be pa
triotic. But the method is un-American
and dangerous. 1t is short-sighted, too
The popular Judgment and feeling are
against it, and revulsion is inevitable.
The latest work from the pen of that
diligent scholar, Prof. Geo. Park Fisher,
OF Yale University, is History OF Chris
tian Doctrines. The work is marked
by the authors accuracy and candor,
and is particularly happy in style. We
have found it absorbingly interesting
At the same time we must record our
disappointment at the wholly made
quate treatment given to the doctrine
of Universalism. A letter from Prof.
Fisher explains to US that he was under
necessity of condensing his matter, and
protests that he cannot be accused of
sectarian or sinister motives. We cheer
fully exculpate him from such suspicion.
He is a minded and large-minded
historian. At the same time, the defect
exists, and it is serious damage to the
usefulness Of the work. A doctrine Of
such moment and vitality, which not
only has figured conspicuously in many
past centuries. but is burning ques
ton in the whole of Protestant Chris
tendon today, should not have to petit
ton for place in standard history of
Christian beliefs.
The Independent attacks. and easily
demolishes, the revolutionary theology"
expounded, with such lavish enthusi-
asm and such economy of thinking,
by Lyman Abbott. The idea OF Prof.
LIE Conte, "that all life is a continuous
progressive change, according to certain
laws and by means of resident forces"
when taken as definition Of the meth
cd of evolution and applied to human
history and institutions. will not bear
the strain. Extraneous forces, more
often than resident forces" are the
causes of the continuous progressive
changes which occur in human society.
Was it resident forces" that produced
the change from aboriginal America to
New England and the United States?
Did resident forces" effect the changes
in Hawaii Of which the present govern
ment of that island boasts? There was
time when Christianity was not. There
was time when it came. There are
places and lives innumerable where it
is not now, and where no resident
forces are or ever will be substitute
for it's coming.
And now it is bishop. The clergy
of New Orleans to the number OF fifty
three unite in a public protest against
the theological position taken in re.
cent sermon by Bishop Sessums of the
Protestant Episcopal church. These
clergymen are Methodist, Baptist, Pres
byterian and Lutheran. who have no
ecclesiastical relations with the Episco-
pal church, and no means of reaching
the Episcopal bishop, except through
public opinion. The opinions so fierce
ly objected to are not particularly de-
scribed, but are said to amount to a
rejection of Christianity" The bish-
op is represented as taking benevo-
lent view of the character of God and
of the outcome of human experiment.
The Church of Our Father. Detroit,
which is to entertain the Young Peoples
Convention in July, is making it's well
come known early. A little paper, bear.
ing on it's front picture of the beau
tiful Detroit church, is printed and sent
out every week to Unioners far and near,
to remind them Of the Convention and
assure them of hearty hospitality. The
history, industries, attractions of De-
troit are written up in the several num-
bers and great pains taken to make the
visitors acquainted with the visited.
1t is thoughtful of the Detroit Y. p.
q. u, to do all this, and it is certain
means of securing large attendance.
What with Onward at one end of the
line, shouting Detroit '97," and the
| Church of Our Father at the other re-
| anopAipU NTH vaparous mordn Of wal