The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-20

III IneOlOSy. w HdG WdHt yOu, yOunR
people, to do is to sail these seas of
time in boats of modern construc-
ton.
But it is not alone because the
thought of which speak is new, that
look to you for its hospitable re-
ception, but because it is true, and
being true, is essentially religious. 1t
is for us to take this thought and
show that it can be builded into the
structure of character. Departure
from tradition at first seems irrelig-
ious; but bye-andbye we learn that
religion is not dark and narrow. We
have only taken down the old fences
to enlarge the field. Religion is not
dying out of the world today; it is
simply widening its sphere. 1t is
growing larger, and SUMMER, and
brighter. The trouble used to be
that it only struck few chords in
human nature; now the whole vast
organ is beginning to thrill, and
sound, and sing. The religion of to-
day is gathering to itself and appro-
priating every element of beauty, and
strength, and truth that may be found
in the realms of literature, science,
music, art, sociology and criticism. 1t
no longer frowns upon amusement
and recreation.
1t recognizes the value and import
ance of hours of relaxation from the
stress and strain of life. And it is
more especially for the young to en-
body this new conception of religion,
and show forth it's breadth and beau
ty to the world. Let it be seen that
the spirit of reverence is not dying
out; but, instead of the old awe and
fear that once mingled with it, put
into it the feeling of confidence, hope,
and Joy. Let it be seen that the
spirit of devotion is not passing away;
but instead of the fasts, and solemn
meetings, and hours of wrestling and
prayer in which it once ma infested
itself, give it a thousand forms of
service to mankind.
ITO worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed
prayer"
II. Enthusiasm.
There is another thing for which
we must look to our young people;
that is, enthusiasm.
Youth is the period of fervor and
hope, of warmth and glow. We want
these qualities and must have them,
however they manifest themselves.
They are needed behind all our work,
Enthusiasm does not always leap in
cascades; it is silent as deep river.
Not always does it burst in thun-
ders; it is quiet as MONDAY. Not
always is it fiery as the volcano; it is
tranquil as the sea.
l. In looking to the young for this
quality, 1 am only asking for what we
recognize everywhere else as great
power.
~ No one succeeds in this world,
unless he is in earnest.
No man succeeds, however we'll
he may be equipped, until his talents
are set on fire. Brains are good; but
only when the heart uses them. The
advanced ideas, for which | always
plead, are good; but only when there
is force behind that projects them
into the life of society. Bullets are
good; but they are good for nothing
without powder and the igniting
spark. The English governor of one
of the provinces of India, comment
ing upon his good fortune in getting
out of the country before the break
ing out of the mutinY, said: Il never
could have fought well; for l never
could make up my mind whether
our conquest of India was a divinely
inspired act, or great atrocity. And
no man can fight we'll or work we'll
unless he believes in his cause
with all the ardor of noble enthus-
iasm."
(2) 1t is necessary to lift our work
from the routine OF the treadmill,
and make it pleasure.
AS Emerson would say, sit claps
wings to the sides of all the solid old
lumber in the world" That which
enlists the whole heart is never a
drudgery. When we read that on one
occasion the Spartans went into bat
tie singing and the Persians driven
by whips, it does not need the his
torian to tell us that the Spartans
were victorious.
81 Enthusiasm will overcome OBJ
stacles, and rise above discourage
ments.
Where the plodder goes along the
dusty road and halts before each OBJ
struction, enthusiasm, like winged
god, flies over. 1t takes no denial, it