Writing about Universalist Christianity and improving how churches work
The church where John Murray was baptized, St. Lawrence, Alton, Hampshire has a website, but no reference to him, or the plaque presented by the Universalist General Convention in 1925.
Well, the parish has a Norman foundation, so perhaps a wayward son, known mainly in America by a small sect, doesn’t rate.
Eternal God, in whom the spirits of just men do rest in peace from their labors, we bless and praise thy holy name for all thy servants who have departed this life in thy faith and fear; and especially those most dear to us who have fallen asleep; and we beseech thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that here we may be united to them in fellowship of spirit, and finally be gathred together with them into the bosom of thine infinite love. Amen.
Infinitely wise and gracious God, we offer our supplication for all sorts and conditions of men; for the pastors of Christ’s flock, that they may constantly speak the truth and boldly rebuke and oppose sin. Bless our kindred according to the flesh; and unite us to one another by mutual love, and to thyself in holiness. Be thou a shield to the young, and a staff to the aged. Comfort and bless all those who are in want, in sickness, or in sorrow. Enlighten those who are in darkness, sustain the weak, guide the erring, and lead thy people in the way of life everlasting. We pray for the prosperity of thy church on earth. In the unity of spirit, and in the bonds of peace, may the followers of thy dear Son show forth the excellences of his religion, to thy praise and glory forever. Amen.
O Almighty God, who from thy throne in heaven beholdest all the inhabitants of the earth, we beseech thee for thy blessing upon thy servant, the President of the United States, and upon all others in authority, that they may so rule in thy fear that we, thy people, may lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty. Amen.
Father of mercies, who art always more ready to hear than we are to pray, when, beset with the temptations and oppressed with the cares of business, we look to thee for help and guidance of thy Holy Spirit, give us, we beseech thee, that assistance which we need, and grant that by a life of justice, mercy, and holiness, we may glorify thy name; graft in our hearts the love of thy law, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, world without end. Amen.
When I was woking on a master’s program in church history in the early 90s, I planned to write my thesis on Universalism in the old South. Didn’t finish the degree – God stepped in with ministerial plans – but I did find a number of interesting tidbits, including this small exhortation by the Rev. Allen Fuller, who served churches in Rhode Island and North Carolina.
Trust in the infinite goodness of our Father in heaven, and love him because he first loved us. Receive the Gospel of Christ, through which life and immortality are brought to light, by that faith that works by love and purifies the heart, that you may have the hope which is as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast; and let not your light be hid under a bushel. And may the grace of God lead us into all truth and bless us evermore.
My new dentist (and my partner’s current dentist) is from Georgia (good) and got his dentistry degree from Tufts University. (Even better).
Apart from knowing that Tufts has one of the ugliest color combinations (light slate-y blue and russet) and that it has world-class dentistry and veterinary schools, you should know that it was founded by Universalists. Not that you would find much evidence of that on their website.
Nor, indeed would you find much evidence that one of the two closed Universalist seminaries was there: Crane, closed in 1967. (I do have a mug with a picture the Crane building on it, now the home of the religion department.)
But at least the dentistry school is open, and I hope to see Friday the fruits of a Tufts education.
Later. Quite pleased.
With the light of another morning, we lift our souls unto Thee, O Lord, in grateful acknowledgement of that mercy which is Israel’s keeper, and which never slumbers nor sleeps. We rejoice in the renewal or the day, and desire to consecrate ourselves anew to Thy service, that we may show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into marvellous light.
Help us to feel the need to watchfulness and prayer, in the sitting scenes of a busy world. Suffer us not to slumber at the post of duty, lest we sleep in sin. May our virtue be the courage of our faith, our cheerfulness the patience of hope, our example the life of charity.
So shall the day testify a conscience void of offence toward man, and toward Thee; and when we lie down in the evening, we shall not be afraid – and our sleep shal be sweet.
¶ All unite in the Lord’s Prayer. ¶ Scripture lesson. ¶ One of the Prayers on pages 60-62.
This week’s font-page editorial at Anglicans Online rehearses how pious our ancestors and predecessors weren’t. A helpful tonic against flabby thinking about how secular the world has gotten. Is what’s missing social pressure? And since when has social pressure really been the Christian’s friend?
God over all, blessed for ever: We praise Thee for the refreshment of repose, and forthe morning list which calls us anew into the activities of the world. We bless Thee also for the joy of hope; yet we would soberly consider the appointed means of happiness, and be fitted for the enjoyment of life by preparation for its duties.
Enable us, O Lord, in all things to exemplify the principles of our holy religion. Save us from being cast down by evil reports of erring men, or elated by the flattery of human applause, or misled by the fashion of the world, or in any way ensnared to follow the multitude in doing evil.
May we continually be found in the path of righteousness: our lips without guilde, our mouth filled with Thy praise, our hands diligent in business, our feet ready to run on errands of mercy.
Thy going forth, O Lord, is prepared as the morning. May Nem>we go forth unto our work and to our labor until the evening, following on to know Thee. And as Thou takes pleasure in the prosperity of Thy people, may we be prospered in taking pleasure in Thee.
¶ All unite in the Lord’s Prayer. ¶ Scripture lesson. ¶ One of the Prayers on pages 60-62.