The Washington herald., 1917-04-09
Patriotism and Anti Kaiserism
Inspirations of Pastors Sermons
No Arbitrary He'll Salvation
Is Character, Rev. John
Van Schaick Declares.

This war in Europe has completely de-
stroyed that last lingering remnant OF
belief in an arbitrary hell for all who do
not accept some arbitrary creed" said
Rev. John Van Schaick, pastor of the
Universalist Church Of Our Father. in his
Easter sermon yesterday.
These thousands of young fellows who
have taken their lives in their hands" "
said the pastor, cannot be consigned to
hell by anybody. They have shown that
last full measure Of devotion. They have
exhibited the highest traits of character.
The world has come to see that saliva
ton is not a place but a character.
THE Christian faith is that there is a
future for US all. Some hold that 1t is
a future of happiness for the good and
a future OF misery for the wicked. Others
hold that 1t Is a future not OF rewards
and punishments.- primarily, but OF
growth and development OF all. with re-
wards and punishments simply as agen-
Cies of reform.
Heaven simply as place does not in
terest us. He'll simply as a threat does
not scare us. Heaven and hell are inn
portant when they indicate cooperation
with. or opposition to God, working with
His universe and all its laws. or working
against 1t. helping or hindering evolu-
ton OF humanity.
1--WE believe that the universe Is so con-
stltuted as to promote the highest well
fare of the race. and that eventually il
will win or compel righteousness in every
human being.
1--WE believe that II takes a long time
simply because God knows that 1t is
best for us to work things out for our
selves, and has made this universe
that that is the way in which progress
is made
We have faith in continued existence
after our life in this world. There are
many arguments to support this faith.
There are scientific. theological, and phil
osophical | never have been much help
ed by arguments. l have been helped
b example.
IF man lives so that I can't imagine
his not being immortal, he helps me be-
lieve it. II he lives so that I can't con-
ceive OF his being immortal, he weakens
my conviction.
1T is a matter Of faith. 1t is a will
lingness to live my life on that great
assumption. I hold that faith because
believe in the power and love of God. and
l believe in the worth and dignity of
man.
Il believe that God made man in his
own image. The heroism, patience, in
Cessant toll. and sublime self-saCrifce of
men and women in this world war deepen
my faith in Immortality. In not one OF
the countries of Europe can you travel
without seeing to what heights OF devo-
tion man can climb. as we'll as to what
depths of brutality he can sink.
The life which Jesus lived. and the
lives OF all noble souls since His day
constitute the foundations of our faith
Such as these were not brought into ex-
istence simply to be blotted out forever.
I'VE believe in the indestructible worth
of humanity at Its highest and best. We
believe that what is lowest and worst in
every child Of God must in time and
eternity give place to better things
Through what momentous days We
have been living. Through what great
decisions We have come. Through what
great experiences we must pass before
another Easter comes
Every sacrifice made by the country
and its Individual citizens in the months
ahead; every life laid down in the cause
or humanity, will deepen our conviction
in the reality Of the life to come"