The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-05

able things which are working to-
gether for your good.
Thus far we have been applying
this principle individually. 1t will
solve the difficulties, Tighten the bur
dens and minimize the discourage
ments of the church as we'll.
The Universalist Church has been
struggling for over a century. 1t
has been compelled to battle for life,
for the same spirit which formerly
burned at the stake, which crucified
Jesus, opposed it. But it has sur
vived; it is a case of the survival of
the fittest. 1t has grown to such
greatness that Lyman Abbott and
some others kindly suggest that there
is no need of us any longer living;
that we have triumphed, our essen
tial belief having been corporated into
the beliefs of all denominations. Mr..
Ebert Hubbard applies the same
test to the sect of which DR.. Abbott
is member, and found no good rea
son for its existence also. However
that may be, we boast that the leaven
of the Universalist Church has leav-
ened all the others.
Creeds are softened; ideas anne
liorated; thoughts more rational; be-
liefs more in accord with the grand
lessons taught us by nature, revealed
to us through Scripture-harmony
and progress. But let us not be self
deceived in this matter. Look atthe
facts:
First: All the churches have not
ceased to be centers of orthodox
teachings.
Second: Not minister can be
found in an orthodox pulpit who
teaches an affirmative Universalism.
Although he may be anti-orthodox,
yet he is negative in his preaching.
Third, The ministers and laymen
either believe this partialistic the
ology, or else they do not believe it.,
and are too cowardly or dishonest to
maintain what they do believe. In
either case there is plenty of work
for the Universalist Church to do.
Fourth: Even if every denomina-
ton taught the cardinal principles of
of Universalism there still would be
need of the Universalist Church as
as we'll as every church. For man is
religious being, and churches are
essential instruments in awakening
his religious feelings and powers.
The world can never have too much
goodness nor too much truth. Be-
cause all the churches are good and
teach the truth, must one good and
true one cease to exist?
Finally: We affirm that, owing
to the growing liberalism in the
churches, there is more need of the
Universalist Church today than ever
before. The liberalism is negative.
Old ideas are doubted but the new
ones have not been ingrafted. Or
thodoxy is shaken to it's foundation,
but Universalism has not reared her
head among the ruins. The ground
is being cleared; the rubbish is being
removed; weeds which have been
taken for Gods flowers are being up
rooted; but the work must not cease
here. The seeds of truth, the germs
of belief in everlasting love, eternal
hope. and complete happiness must
be sown broadcast. A sense of Gods
love must be impressed upon the
hearts of men; they must be made to
feel that that love, more wonderful
than the chemistry of nature, is the
leaven of heaven which is to trans
form the entire measure of humanity
until the whole becomes leavened.
Because the old dogmas are disinte-
grating, the world was never so ready
to listen to the story of eternal hope.
Christianity made such rapid strides
in Greece and Rome in the first few
centuries because the religions of
those nations were losing their power
over the people. AS the old crumbled
the new easily stepped into their
places. We are told that Japan is
passing through such crisis at the
present time; hence, there is urgent
need for just and rational presenta-
ton of Christianity to these people;
supplant the religion for which they
are losing respect. The mission
which we have planted there should
be Loyalty supported. There is a
supreme need of the Universalist
Church to give an emphatic faith to
those who have cut loose from the
old anchorage. Today there is need
of the work of the Universalist
Church,--an aggressive, emphatic,
affirmative work. The work of our
church is to give humanity clearer
sight, a vision that can discern the
heautias IF Righteousness which ie n