Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-28
cHARIn SUNDAY
 AT uNfvERsALIsT CHURCH.
Rav. Jassph F. Cobb Observed the
 10oth Anniversary of the Great
 Divine.

1 14:13, MT. Cobb gave an Illuminating 1 sermon, which was in part:
 One week ago we spoke of the joy that came to the world because of the | birth of one who was born as the 1 Saviour of the World and as the l Light of tho World We spoke of tae richness and blessings that came To 1 humanity because of the advent of Jesus of Nazareth.
 Today we wish to speak of a life ] that has also, even though in a nar- r0wer sphere, been a great blessing to humanity and whose life is Still bear- ing fruit as the Home for Aged peo- pIe bear7ng his name stands as . nloir- tenderless manifestations. I refer to the late Rev. Dr. Edwin H.. Chapin, who was born Dec. %, 1S14. Died Dec, 2e, 1ss1) One hundred years ago, therefore. there came upon the scene of activity one whose influence has made on en- during impression, through his ora tory, his lectiuring, his preaching, his service.
 What universaiisn1 Is, And Is Not
 That he thorouhgiy believed in Unfxersa1is1n is shown from his Ser- mon on the subject, ssUniversalism, What it is Not and What it iS.''
 Having informed his hearers that "Universalisln is not Atheism, is not skepticisua, is no deisn. is not a doctrine which instructs it's followers to make light of sin, is not a doctrine which teaches that the sinners may pass unchanged to heaven and hap piness, and is not a doctrine which teaches that man shall be saved from punishment, he turned to inform them what this doctrine is. Ut is doctrine,'' he said. which teaches that all mankind will finally be saved from sin and it's consequent misery. Be it remembered that we do not en- ter the arena of discussion to argue against punishment-against future punishment--but against the endless duration of sin and- misery We do government of God. We believe there will be a period when the last even ing shall be destroyed-when man shall how in moral subjection to his Maker, and worship Him in the beau ty of holiness"
 His Life Given to the Cause.
 Dr. Chapin decided in his early min istry to devote his life to the great cause of God and humanity, of liberal Christianity, of the religion of love and not of fear. His sermons dwelt but little upon the points of doctrine.
 He labored more for spiritual ad- vancement, for moral and intellectual progress. than for sects and parties. His message was such as to give strength and beauty to character. a single piety, and a broad humanity, and a bold stand for the just and true, and a Good Samatan readiness to pour oil on wounded hearts. He felt and made others feel "The joy of the Lord was his strength"
 Church Serves More Than Sect.
 He taught by precept and example of the love, the eternal love, the linn itless love- the perfect love of God
 x4-aS e Gescl f@a6 hx- ma -l7p knew him that he did not preach dis tinctive Universalisn. He did not proclaim any creed, he ioowed upon the church as serving more than sect, but as being a servant of Jesus Christ. 2
 His supreme interest was not a creed but is Christ and in the Christian spirit among men, making life sweet and beautiful and strong.
 He looked forward to a church as broad as the earth, ample as the free spirit of God Almighty and glorious as the truth that came from heaven, a church of devout men and free minds, a church that shall not be hedged in by intellectual Limitations, but bound only by one greata. chord of unity. that chord being union with Christ Jesus. Thus he looked for the ideal church. when all shall believe in Christ and touching him we shall all be one.
 One writer says of pr. Chapin, His converting power was immense, only that he converted men to a love of the good and beautiful. rather than to any creed or special form Of faith. He converted men from partial, embitter- ing creeds and from all seetarianism, to a larger and nobler appreciation of the great Christian truths-the fra ternity Of God and the brotherhood of man.
 Rr.,,1LG r1;,,.-.. N....I M. rGL
 His eloquence brought the most di- verse creed-men together, and then sanctif1ed to them the great spiritual and practical truths taught by the gospel and by nature. Among the fruits of Dr. Chapin's ministry in which he not only taught but practiced Universalisnl, which may be regarded as a wide and various harvest of character, comfort and good deeds nome is more characteristic than the Chapin Home for the Aged and In- firm, now located at Jamacia, N Y, caring for 100 aged men and women.
 Begotten and fostered by his life and teachings, regulated in it's methods according to his broad and generous views, it stands before the public as a fitting tribute to his humanity and rightly bears his honored name.
 The Motto of the Home is one of Dr. Chapin's oft repeated phrases, Not, what Is your creed? But, what is your need?''
 ChaPin's Home a Loving Emblem.
 Though the Chapin home stands be- fore the world as a living etnblem of the Christian church at work, for it manifests the Christian iove-which Dr. Chapin felt and unused on and en- joyed--which was and is broad as huA rnanity', and impartial as the sun-I shine
 In this home maintained by believers in UniversalisIn are people of all de- nominational afiiiation; and religious services are conducted each Sunday by ministers of all faiths.
 May this standard be kept floating high and may ths principal of thisI love for which our church stands be exemplff1ed in the lives of all be- lieyers, and may the lessons of love taught by ouf eloquent Dr. Edwin Hubbell Chapin be the rule and gov ernance of our conduct.