Norwich bulletin., 1910-01-03

In Bucskingham Memorial Sunday, January 2, 1910. Rev. Joseph F. Cobb preached "A Look Forward and said in part. speaking from the text H. John 8:
 For about 90 years this society has been laboring to establish and exem- plify the truth as it is in Jesus. A good work has been wrought, there has been fidelity on the part of the believers in Universal salvation, there has been honesty and sincerity of pur- pose that has kept the believers loyal and firm.
 building that stood on the corner across the street as the religious home or the house of worship for the be- lievers in and professors of this par ticular form of interpretation of Scrip ture. That church. which is the body of believers, is alive today as much as ever
 Now we are beginning on a new year and I ask you as did St. John of a certain honorable woman with her children to persevere in Christian love and belief lest they lose the re- ward of their former profession, look to yourselves that ye lose not those things which ye have gained but that ye receive a full reward"
 I ask that we with Paul may be able to say, we have fought good fight, we have kept the faith" and let us add we are going to do our full duty and find pleasure in our service. for, unlike Paul, we have not yet finished our course.
 Can you not see before you a new. beautiful church building. with all the equipment for doing grand and glo- rious service?
 Let us recall some of the things that have been wrought by the Universal ist church.
 It has convinced people that we are not as bad as we have been painted; that we do believe in God, Christ, man. the Bible. and salvation. It has been and still is said that we do not be- lieve in punishment notwithstanding that it has been constantly proclaimed that we believe in the certainty of just retribution for sin
 For years this church has been ad- vocating the Universal Fatherhood of God.
 Although Jesus declared Himself as the Saviour of the world, the church at large has not accepted that truth, but the Universalist church has pro claimed the truth of a Universal Sa- viour; that He is not partial Sa- viour, but the Saviour of the world. This church has wrought well for the establishment of the Bible rather than the authority of man about the Bible.
 The doctrine of Universal restora- ton was the doctrine of the first five centuries of the Christian church. 1t numbered among it's defenders the church fathers Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Didymus the Blind Gregory of Nyssa. Diodorus of Tarsus, Theo- dore of Mopsuestia. Eusebius Of Caes- area and Theodoret.
 It was taught in the theological school at Alexandria and probably in the schools of Caesarea, Antioch and Edessa.
 This church has had a noble past. now we must look to the future. We do not know, we cannot tell, what the little things, the little tasks, the com mon duties faithfully performed, will do for us in the bringing of new op- portunities to our hand.
 If we think we are 8 small body, what shall we do with it and for it? We should use it for God and admin ister what we have with devotion so that its blessed influence shall be felt by every individual for ultimately it's blessed truths shall save the world.
 Keep the faith. Pray. Be ready always to give an aswer to everyone that asketh you for reason of the hope that is in you. Study to know why you believe as you do. Strive to live as you believe. Be true to the highest principles and ideals that the church sets forth. So live that it may be said of you
 'sIn every act, in every thought
 He lived the precepts which he
 taught"
 Our faith is radiant with the light of Gods love- It is a great privilege that all believers have to speak for the faith. Radiate the faith that makes faithful" Be loyal.
 That Eye receive a full reward" The reward comes from faithful ef- fort and service in behalf of the truth and the church.
 Your reward will be a new church home with all conveniences for great CT activity and efficiency. It will also be larger church with larger oppor-  EX- MEMBERS OF THE