Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-29

going many changes toward the more lib
eral TO be liberal is to be called by
some either a heritic or a fool. 1 think to
be liberal is to be as Christ was. able to
see God in all human hearts. The liberal
views hold are liberal in this direction;
do not consider myself at all radical In
my theological views; have studied con-
sentative theology, and the liberal; l &C
cept neither as such, but willingly accept
any truth from either so long as it does
not oppose my reason and faith in God.
My views are not destructive. but con-
structive; 1 do not believe less today but
more; / do not throw aside much OF what
I have held: 1 feel that l have increased
my possessions.
why did Join the Universalist church?
Because 1 am a Universalist. 1 am not
ashamed of that fact. If all the Universal
fists in other churches Joined this church
to which they really belong, this church
would be the largest of all denominations.
am a UnIversalist because the creed
have formed for myself is like the Untver-
salist's creed, and one should associate
with that denomination nearest his own
thought and faith. Because believe the
TIniversalist church best represents the
spirit, purpose and life of Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Because believe this church is the most
evangelical in her. evangelism; most ortho-
dox in her truths:
Because 1 believe her claims appeal most
readily and most speedily to the reason
and faith of all, old and young:
Because believe God is the Father OF
all, and knows no one to love him more
than another because I believe Jesus is
his divine Son, our spiritual guide and
leader; because I believe the Bible is a
sacred book containing the will and wish
of God to men; because I believe in full
fOr cir and that the final
IationshIp of all men to God will be that
OF harmony and never-ending peace and
joy.
I shall always try to be a good Congre-
gatlonalist; If 1 am not such l can never
be a successful Universalist.
For the many kind ministries Of love
that have been rendered me and mine by
the Universalist church of this city am
exceedingly grateful, and shall always
feel indebted to you.
AS to the noble pastor of this church.
Dr. McGlaufiin, cannot give expression
to the kind feelings cherish toward him.
I gave him my confidence a number of
months ago, and today feel that he Is in
my life a most important factor. The
work he Is doing here will never be fully
known or appreciated by us, but God sees
the spirit and the service and rewards ac-
cordnigly My only word is that 1 thank
God out of the depths of my heart for the
day and hour that light from the charac-
ter of this noble man of God fell across
my path.
am now in the struggle with you, and
trust that may be a blessing and not
burden, and may aid in carrying the gos-
pei of love. light and liberty into the
world where It is needed for the saving
and uplifting of the sons of God.
1 love, honor and respect the Universal
ist church, for she is earnest enough to
call for light; sincere enough to appro-
pirate the light, brave enough to be true
to her heavenly vision.
Sixteen years ago left my old home in
New England Beside that fireside sat one
of the most godly of mothers, whose
falthfulness to duty, conservation and self
sacrafice to those about her made me in
debted to her beyond measure. Since the
day / left, new responsibilities have
crowded into my life; new duties have
been heaped upon me; new affections have
found Judgment in my heart; a new fire.
side about which sit bits of my own life
now claim all and the best there is in me: