portant representative of communistic ideas in pagan antiquity is Plato, whose work on the ideal State still ranks among the best that has ever been written in favor of communism. Plato regards the possession of private property as the source of every evil for the state-of avarice, of egotism, of a low character. He therefore allows only the lowest of the three classes, into which, according to him, the state is divided, and which he excludes from a participation in the government of the state to possess private property.

The infant Christian Church at Jerusalem has been held up as at once an example of communism, and an argument for it-and Acts 2: 42-44-46, has been quoted in proof of this position. But the passage in Acts does not imply either an absolute, total, or compulsory community of goods. There is no trace in the New Testament of modern communism. Christianity carefully guards the individuality of each member, and considers love as the only law by which Christians are bound.

EFFICIENCY IN SERVICE,

Some years ago, two ministers were appointed to present their views, as to the reasons why the ministers of the present time, are not more efficient in spreading the Universalist faith in the world, to the Illinois State Convention.

One of these ministers, expressed the opinion, that one of the reasons for the decrease of effort and efficiency, was the increased support and care given to ministers. He illustrated his idea, by relating the following experience of a man who was a great admirer of a large brave dog. This gentleman had bought a dog of huge size and great strength, and called very brave. He built a fine house for him, fed him well, and the big dog, handsome and sleek, followed his master everywhere.

One day, as they were walking through

a forest, two thieves suddenly attacked the man, and the dog, instead of succor ing his master, turned tail and ran, The man might have been beaten to death, but just in time to save him, another dog sprang from the thicket, caught one of the thieves by the throat, and pulled him down, and the gamekeeper of the forest coming up a moment after, the other thief made off.

The man was profuse in thanks to the gamekeeper, and in praises of his brave dog, and, disgusted with the cowardice of his own huge animal, offered to exchange, giving a large sum besides. The gamekeeper assented, and the man, proud of his bargain, took the new dog home, made a great pet of him, and told the story of his bravery everywhere. He felt as if he could not do enough to reward the dog for the courage which had saved his life. They were inseparable companions.

As the story ran, the man was walking in the same forest about a year afterwards, when he was again attacked by robbers. He whistled for his dog, never doubting of his help, but to his great surprise, as soon as the dog saw the danger, he gave one long howl and took to his heels. at the same moment, another dog, thin and spare, rushed in, and by the fury of his attack, put the robbers to flight.

But,

The gamekeeper soon came up, and told him it was his old dog who had rescued him. On his expressing surprise at the change in the nature of the dogs, the gamekeeper said, that if dogs were petted too much, and kept too fat and sleek, without any trial of their courage, they would soon grow cowardly.

The brother remarked, in the application of his illustration, that whether this theory was correct or not in relation to dogs, he was sure that it applied in some sense to men and their work. That the most efficient and faithful missionaries the church of Christ had ever had, were those who went out to their work, with

neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in their purses-nor scrip for their journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves.

When a fellow-laborer of such 'a missionary, needed assistance; he never has to call a second time, let the labor and sacrifice be what it may. But when ministers are receiving fifteen hundred or two thousand dollars salary, and their assistance is greatly needed, it is very uncertain what they can or will do--for all the conditions are changed. In the first instance, the minister consults the Lord, to learn his duty-in the last he must consult those who pay his salary, and obey their wishes. In the first instance, the minister endeavors to serve the Lord, and spread his truth, and cultivate the life of faith and love among men; in the last instance the minister seeks to serve his parish and increase its membership and revenue.

A

UNIVERSALIST BENEDICTION A Partialist lady, who is so bigoted. that she will neither attend a Universal' ist meeting, nor read a Universalist book lately said in the presence of a friend of the writer, that she had often wondered what a Universalist benediction could be. And I will endeavor to remove this source of wonder, by giving the desired information.

A Universalist benediction, then, is simply the solemn act of imploring the blessing of God upon a worshiping congregation about to separate, performed by a Universalist minister, at the close of an official service, with a full knowledge of God's immutable goodness, and infinite ability to benefit and bless his children; and that he is infinitely more willing to give good things to those who need them, than we areto ask for them. And what is there in such a service, to fill any mind with wonder? Nothing surely. The wonder, if wonder there is, must spring from some other sources. It must come

from supposing that we have no God to implore for blessings, or else from the idea, that we are beneath God's notice and attention.

If the wonder expressed had its origin in the first reason, it is both ungenerous and unjust, and could only spring from the deepest ignorance, or the most intolerable bigotry; like that which called Jesus a wine-biber, and a friend of publicans and sinners. On the other hand, if the wonder expressed, had its origin in the second reason, it is simply the fruit of self-righteousness, like that which caused the Pharisees of old to pray, "Lord I thank thee that I am not as other men are."

That such self-righteousness, ignorance, and bigotry should wonder what a Universalist benediction can be, is nothing strange; for they wondered and scoffed at Jesus, although he was better beyond all account, than any Universalist has ever pretended to be; and declared that he had a demon, and cast out demons, through Beelzebub the prince of the demons But while it continues true, that God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us; and hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all, a Universalist benediction must be reasonable and proper, whenever the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed to men.

But how is it with Partialist benedic tions? Is there not something wonder. fully inconsistent, in the way they are pronounced? What right has a minister, who professes to believe, that only those who have exercised repentance towards God, and faith in Christ, are fit to live, or prepared to die, to pronounce a benediction upon a promiscuous assembly; when a large proportion of those composing that assembly, justly deserve to descend instantly into the torments of hell. None, certainly; still such benedictions are of common occurrence, although they are without influence or worth. And we de

sire to submit them, to the serious and prayerful consideration of those, who have regarded Universalist benedictions as a subject of wonder. A little serious reflection may convince them, that there are more reasons for wonder, than they have dreamed of in their philosophyand a moderate acquaintance with the inconsistencies in their own theory and practice, may possibly make them more charitable and just towards their fellow

men.

WANTS OF UNIVERSALISTS. Piety consists in right feelings of Love and Reverence toward God, our Heavenly Father-a feeling of deep regard for his character-of child like trust and confi dence in him. Devotion to God-worship and adoration to his holy name, is what he requires of his intelligent, moral offspring. A devotional spirit is a great blessing to, as well as an adornment of, the human soul. This is a state of mind which it is our duty to pray for, and cultivate. Universalists generally are deficient in this quality. They possess many good qualities. They are generally a good people, kind, friendly and humane-as honest, and as temperate as people of other churches, but they are not as devotional as they ought to be-not as reverent. Let us seek to improve ourselves in this respect. The true Christian is reverent and devotional, not only in church, but at other times and places.

Many people make the mistake of supposing that religion consists almost entirely in an excited, enthusiastic or even fanatical state of the feelings, irrespective of the belief and also of the outward life or moral character of the individual. Others make their religion consist alone in a theory of doctrine, and faith in it. In this case, as in most others, we think the truth lies midway between the two extremes. True religion requires the sound, orthodox doctrine, good faith in

the truth, enthusiasm in the heart or feelings, and a pure life or character. Religion comprises both Piety and Morality; but Morality alone consists of the social duties of life-of man to man in the social state. An individual may be Moral, without being pious, or truly religious, but he cannot be truly religious without being moral

IN MEMORIAM.

Passed to the higher life from her home in New Salem, Illinois, Feb. 4th Mrs. Lou B. Hooper, wife of William R. Hooper, in the forty-fifth year of her age. Her maiden name was Dillon, and she was born October 10, 1844. She and her husband were married in the Universalist church in New Salem, August 19, 1866. She was a woman of great energy of character, of great benevolence of heart, and of deep religious convictions. She was an earnest working member of the Universalist Church, and her life fully proved, that her religious faith, was both good to live by, and good to die bydeath had no fears to her-its sting had been taken away-dying was simply going to Our Father's house of many mansions-our Heavenly Home-where all of God's great family will be finally gathered through Jesus Christ.

Though she had the usual cares that fall to the lot of a farmer's wife, on a large farm, yet she raised and collected the subscription for the support of preaching in her church for years, and she did it well, as we can testify, having been her pastor for seven years. Her funeral was attended in the Universalist church in New Salem, Feb. 6th, and a sermon preached by the editor of this MAGAZINE to a very large congregation, from these words: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Rom. 8: 18. May the Lord comfort all those who mourn her loss.

THE END OF REBELLION. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteous. ness, and shall not return. That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength." Isa. 45: 22, 24. The word one in italics, is a supplied word, and has nothing to represent it in the original; it was put into the text by the translators, to limit its signifi cation, and has no business there. Rev. Mr. Harvey, author of " Meditation among the Tombs," translates the text thus: "Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is nought else. By myself have I sworn, the word of righteousness goeth out of my mouth, the word shall not return. To me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear, saying, surely in the Lord have I righteousness and strength."

And he adds in a note-Our translators seem to discontinue the divine speech with the words shall swear: which weak. ens the force and diminishes the dignity of the passage. I apprehend that Jehovah is still speaking, and in the following words, prescribes the form of the confession, or dictates the words of the oath, in which sinners shall testify their allegiance -even the allegiance of faith. Agreeable to his supposition, I would translate the word following, saying. It will then denote not one or a few, but every tongue mentioned in the foregoing verse: This translation by a rigid Calvanist more than one hundred years ago, is certainly consistent--and Dr. Thomas Scott, gives similar exposition in his notes on the passage.

The word one has no business in the text, unless the words each, every, is placed before it for every knee was to bow, and every tongue was to swear.

What were they to swear to? They were evidently to swear that they had righteousness and

strength in God-thus making Universal Salvation certain and unavoidable. God evidently designed to say, that he had sworn by himself, that the time should come, when rebellion against his government should be put down; and when all the rebellious should bow and swear allegiance to him. This is to be the end of Christ's mediation. He must reign until he hath put down all rule, authority, and power, and God becomes all in all.

CAN GOD SAVE ALL MEN? Some men tell us, that God cannot save all men; and when we ask for the reason why he cannot, they tell us, that it is because all men will not be saved. The objection, therefore, amounts to this-that the will of man is mightier than the purpose and power of God. Those who make this objection, evidently forget, that God gave man being, and upholds him therein, every instant of time that he exists. They forget, that God's power, with unremitted energy, fills heaven and earth, grasps the universe, and rules, supports, directs, and guides every atom therein. Tell me who exists a moment without, or independent of him, and I will tell you who is God besides him. God alone is independent; and therefore, all opposing wills must be reconciled and subjected to his will, or he must cease to be God over all. And inasmuch, as he will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth, it is evident, that he must be able to save all men; for, if he was not, it would be folly for him to will their salvation. Besides it is impossible for God, to exert his power contrary to his will, or to will one thing to-day and another tomorrow. And whatever he wills to have done, must always be for the best, and perfectly sure of accomplishment.

He cannot be at a loss for the best ways and means, to do his will; neither can he want power. He knows how; and therefore can, with infinite ease, do all his pleasure. No wisdom can circumvent,

and no arm successfully oppose him. Men may fail in their best laid plans, and therefore experience disappointment; but God cannot fail nor be disappointed. The very fact, that he wills that a certain thing should be, makes it just as certain, as though it was already accomplished. Hence, Dr. Gill, has said-'The Salvation which God wills that men should enjoy, is not a mere possibility of salvation, or a mere putting them into a savable statebut a real, certain, and actual salvation, which he has determined they shall have."

OUR RELIGIOUS PAPERS.

We are proud of our large weekly religious papers. The Gospel Banner, of Me.: the Christian Leader,of Mass., and the Universalist, of Ill. They enter upon the year 1889 with clean well filled pages and seemingly with more zeal and fire than ever. They deserve a large patronage and many attentive readers and we hope that they may have them.

We have not forgotten the Universalist Herald, of Georgia-our good brother of the far South, keeps his Herald proclaiming, the good news of Christ's victorious kingdom. But our brother needs helphis type is badly worn, and he cannot make the appearance that he ought to for the good of our church. We wish that our General Convention would help him to new type for his paper--as a needed home-missionary work. We do not believe that funds can be put to a better use, for his is real missionary work for our faith. We are gratified to see, that the editors of two of our papers, have felt moved to speak of our MAGAZINE, as a fellow-helper to the truth.

The Gospel Banner says: MANFORD'S MAGAZINE-published and edited by Rev. T. H. Tabor, at Chicago-still comes out each month with a variety of excellent matter from its editor and others, in addition to numerous selections of the same high quality. It ably, sustains the

cause and should have a large subscription list.

The Christian Leader says: MANFORD'S MAGAZINE-We have received the January number of this periodical. It contains an excellent variety of interesting and profitable reading, that will be welcome in the homes of our people. Its price is $1.50 per year. It is the only monthly magazine in our church, and we trust will have a good support during the year upon which it has now entered. Its editor and publisher, Rev. T. H. Tabor, is an industrious, able and conscientious worker for Universalism.

Rev. Alanson Kelsey, of Georgia, writes us, "you publish a good Magazine. It is worth ten times its cost to any one who will read it. Mrs. Nellie Norton, of Oregon, writes; "I am a reader of your splendid Magazine. My mother sends it to me. And I appreciate it very much. May you long live to scatter your words of comfort and cheer broadcast through the land."

IT WAS NOT OF MAN.

The opinion is sometimes expressed that Jesus Christ was a man-a pretty good kind of a man for his day, but only a man after all. Men tell us that the stories of miracles performed by him, are only legends which have grown up round his simple figure--the work of mistaken and over zealous friends and admirers-That after all, he was only one of ourselves. They therefore, say in effect, to our Lord and Saviour: "We have sat in judgment upon thy claims, and we find that thou art worthy that we should by thy friends; we choose, therefore to wear the honors of thy cause, and rank among thy dignified equals.”

How very considerate; and what surprising condesension? That men who are so learned and eloquent--who have enjoyed such remarkable advantages for culture and refinement, should be willing to admit, in this nineteenth century of the Christian Era; that this unlearned Jewish