UNIVERSALISM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
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��nest endeavors to promote the Christian life among those who name the name of Christ. The Congregationalists are as faithful to win people to live soberly, righteously and godly as they ever were, but when they speak of the retributions of God to be visited upon the sinful of our race, they come near to the matter and manner in which they are treated by Universalists. They teach that all in- fants will be saved ; that there is no lit- eral hell of fire and brimstone, and that the punishment of the wicked is not phy- sical, but spiritual, i. e., of the soul and not of the body. Some have gone so far— I do not say all — as to proclaim the glad tidings that the thonsands of mil- lions of the heathen, who had no chance for salvation in this world, will have an opportunity in the world to come. Some have avowed their belief that Christ will be, finally, a universal Saviour, and many express doubts in regard to eternal pun- ishment ; while all, in their ordinary min- istrations, usually deliver discourses ac- ceptable to Universalists, for there are often many of that faith in their congre- gations. Another source of rejoicing is that that the entire denomination of Uni- tarians are with us as to the results of the mission of Christ. They are Universal- ists, i. e., Restorationists. But fifty years ago there were but two or three of the Boston Unitarian clergymen who ac- knowledged their belief that all the race of man would finally be immortal and happy, but all acknowledge it now, and their two able and excellent periodicals, the Chrstian Begister and Liberal Chris- tian, are decided advocates of this faith.
Having thus briefly sketched the rise and progress of Uuiversalism in New Hampshire, it may not be inappropriate to append the following expression of faith, as generally entertained by Univer- salists at the present time :
1. We reverently and devoutly accept the Holy Scriptures as containing a rev- elation of the character of God and the eternal principles of his moral govern- ment.
2. As holiness and happiness are in- separably connected, so we believe that all sin is accompanied and followed by misery, it being a fixed principle in the Divine government that God renders to
��every man according to his works, so that u though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished."
3. Guided by the express teachings of revelation, we recognize God not only as our King and Judge, but also as our gra- cious Father, who doth not afflict willing- ly, nor grieve the children of men, but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.
4. Webelieve that Divine justice, "born of love and limited by love," primarily requires love to God with all the soul, and to one's neighbor as one's self. Till these requisitions are obeyed, justice ad- ministers such discipline, including both chastisement and instruction, and for as long a period as may be necessary to se- cure that obedience which it ever de- mauds. Hence, it never accepts hatred for love, nor suffering for loyalty, but uniformly and forever preserves its aim.
5. We believe that the salvation Christ came to effect is salvation from sin rather than from the punishment of sin, and that he must continue his work till he has put all enemies under his feet — that is, brought them to complete subjection to his law.
6. We believe that repentance and sal- vation are not limited to this life. When- ever and wherever the sinner truly turns to God, salvation will be found. God is " the same yesterday, to-day and for- ever," and the obedience of His children is ever welcome to Him.
7. To limit the saving power of Christ to this present life seems to us like limit- ing the Holy One of Israel, and when we consider how many millions lived and died before Christ came, and how many since, who not only never heard his name, but were ignorant of the one liv- ing God, we shudder at the thought that His infinite love should have made no provision for their welfare, and left them to annihilation, or, what is worse, end- less misery. And it is but little better with myriads born in Christian lands, whose opportunities have been so meagre that their endless damnation would be an act of such manifest injustice as to be in the highest degree inconsistent with the benevolent character of God.
8. In respect to death, we believe that however important it may be in remov- ing manifold temptations and opening the way to a better life, and however, like other great events, it may profoundly in- fluence man, it has no saving power. Salvation, secured in the willing mind by the agencies of divine truth, light and love, essentially represented in Christ — whether effected here or in the future life— is salvation by Christ, and gives no
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