The Washington times., 1901-07-15
THE YOUNG PEOPLES WORK
Their Convention at Rochester
Taken as the Basis of Sermon.
AssemblnGes of Religious Workers
Not Primarily Excursions, Says DR..
Van schaick, But Opportunities for
broadening Ones Own Views.

The work of young people in church
affairs was the theme of the sermon de
livered yesterday morning by the Rev.
John Van Schaicx, pastor of the Univer-
salist Church of Our Father. Mr.. Van
Schaick attended the convention of the
Young Peoples Christian Union of that
denomination in Rochester during the
past week, and the matters considered
| there were woven into his discourse. as
was their connection with the Univer-
salist faith.
In opening Mr.. Van Schaick referred to
the fact that reasons given for the hold
ing of the convention were not always
valid. 1--WE did not go to the convention
to see Rochester,. he said. In the sec
ond place we did not go to have a good
time. although we did have it in meeting
our brethren of Ike precious faith from
all parts of the country. But that was
not our object We did not go to make
speeches or to hear them, or. in the last
place, out of loyalty to the machinery of
the organization.
Il have given four reasons why we did
not go. Let me tell why we did go. First
of all because of our belief in the prin-
ciples of Universalism and in a God inf
nitely strong and loving, capable of work.
I'm the second place, because we had
the work ot Uniyersalism to do. Here's
where we are misunderstood. People
think Universalists are optimistic souls
so sure that everything is coming out all
right that they can fold their hands and
shut their eyes and not do anything. 1
would rather hear a man say Il believe
in the eternal fires of hell than to say L
believe in this doctrine of supineness.'
Love is a stronger motive for action
than fear. Know that God is in his Heav-
en-. and that all is well with the world.
We 90 forth to do more of the work that
he wants us to do. Until every cloud of
ignorance is dissipated, until every chain
of superstition is broken, and until all
doubt and sin have been taken from every
heart, and all fear removed from every
grave that work will not be done. This
is our gospel of labor.
"In the third place, we held this con-
vention because We want to do this work
inteiIigently. We want to learn how. The
old ideal taught in Lowelrs poem of Sir
Launfal' was of a ritying love, which
scattered blindly. The new ideal, the
Christ-like ideal, is of interested love
which helps wisely. 1t is not enough to
share our crust with beggar. We must
il1t MS SOUL from btSBaTy. IT is not
enough to dole out our aims TO the pau
per. We must abolish pauperism, by put
ting self-respect into his heart.
"In the work of the Associated Chari-
ties of Washington, this new idea is be-
ing worked out. Believing in this theory
we held the convention in the fourth
place, to organize; to work more effective
ly, and to generate enthusiasm. Never
have / addressed a more enthusiastic
body than that of 1.50O which assembled
| in Plymouth Congregational Church, in
Rochester last Friday night IT did us all
good to be there.
To-day Presbyterian. Methodist, Bap-
tist, and Congregational pulpits in Ro-
chester are open TO our ministers. three of
each denomination. We are willing in dig
nified silence to walk our way as long
as men ignorantly believe we are not
Christians. and not trying to follow Jesus
Christ. But when they extend the glad
hand of cooperation and fellowship, we
clasp it with joy.
Here in Washington the day is coming
very rapidly when the so-caIled orthodox
churches will understand us better. Let
your light so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify
your Father which is in Heaven"
The Church of Our Father viii not be
closed during the summer Mr. Van
Schaick will preach at the morning SER
vices during the coming months, when a
number Of other churches will be closed
account of the warm weather