Sometimes it is important, spiritually, to let go of our individual control. Unitarian Universalism places a great value on the individual search for truth and meaning, but also on the value of conducting that search in community. We realize that sometimes, we are weary and just need to rest.

This hymn for an Evening Service, from the 1917 Hymns of the Church: With Services and Chants, published by the Universalist Publishing House, recognizes this need. The tune, Lux Benigna, was written by the Rev. J.B. Dykes and the words by Rev. Dr. John Henry Newman.

Lux Benigna, for Evening Service

words by Rev. Dr. John Henry Newman

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene: one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path: but now,
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day; and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long thy power has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Source: Lux Benigna, tune by Rev. J.B. Dykes with words by Rev. Dr. John Henry Newman, from the 1917 Hymns of the Church: With Services and Chants, published by the Universalist Publishing House, page 7, via Google Books.

We delve back into history today, with words from Universalist preacher Hosea Ballou (April 30, 1771-June 7, 1852). This little gem can be found in his book, A Voice to Universalists, from 1849, which I found through a great list of Google-digitized books hosted by Scott Wells.

Remembering that the text dates to 1849, you may want to substitute gender- and deity-neutral language.

The Unity of the Spirit

by Hosea Ballou, from A Voice to Universalists, 1849

And why do Christians thus contend
  For items in their creeds?
An enemy, and not a friend,
  Sows these contentious seeds.
‘Twas love to God and love to man,
  The dear Redeemer brought;
No metaphysic doctrine can
  Compare with what he taught.
Why do we judge each other so?
  This judging genders strife;
It is enough our Lord to know,
  And feel his heavenly life.
What if my brother disagrees
  With me in certain things;
Yet strives by works of love to please,
  And fruit abundant brings?
Shall I disown a brother dear,
  For whom my Saviour died?
Can I be rilled with gospel fear,
  And walk in all this pride?
O may we learn to walk in love,
  In charity abound;
Possess those tempers of the dove,
  Which rather heal than wound.

Source: “The Unity of the Spirit,” from A Voice to Universalists, 1849, by Hosea Ballou

I found a marvelous resource on Google Books: Sunlit Days, a collection of daily prayers and readings by a wonderfully diverse group of writers, published in 1915.

This gem of a prayer, dated to be read on July 23, but beautiful any day of the year, comes from the Rev. Clarence R. Skinner (March 23, 1881-August 26, 1949). Rev. Skinner was a Universalist minister, serving churches in New York and Massachusetts before becoming a Professor of Applied Christianity at the Crane Theological School of Tufts College. He later founded the Community Church of Boston, free from any creedal test for membership and not affiliated with any religious denomination, which he served for 15 years in addition to his teaching duties.

One of his most influential books, The Social Implications of Universalism, is also available in full on Google Books. (I would have chosen a section of this for today’s post, but I’d have to post the entire book!!)

Prayer from Sunlit Days, 1915

by Rev. Clarence R. Skinner (March 23, 1881-August 26, 1949)

We thank Thee, Lord, for this new day which shines across the sparkling hills with all the freshness and purity of the first day. Wilt Thou give us sensitive hearts and childlike eyes that we may thrill with the beauty and joy of it. Help us to be happy as the multitudinous birds, scattering their golden songs in air, and as trustful as the first shy flowers of spring, adventuring through dark and wild. May we keep this day as Thou hast given it to us — fresh, sweet, and pure. May we fill it with earnest work, great-hearted love, happy play, contagious laughter. Help us so to live that when we lay down to sleep, the memory of this day shall bless us with exceeding peace. Amen.

Source: Prayer from Sunlit Days, archived on Google Books, by Rev. Clarence R. Skinner, 1915.

Today, a short newsletter column from the newly called minister of the Universalist National Memorial Church in Washington, D.C., Rev. Lillie Mae Henley.

UNMC is slightly unusual in the Unitarian Universalist Association, in that the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth are central to the worship life of the church, though there is no creedal “test” for membership in the congregation. The church itself was built as the “headquarters” of the Universalist Church of America, before that organization merged with the American Unitarian Association to form the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961.

Enjoy:

Words from Rev. Lillie, June 1, 2007

Newsletter article by Rev. Lillie Mae Henley, Universalist National Memorial Church in Washington, D.C.

My father said, more than once, “Never argue about religion.”

I don’t know whether it was my father’s wise words, or my own nature, but I’ve never been inclined to debate or argue religion. I have had discussions about religion, but when the other person(s) become argumentative, I find a way to extricate myself from the discussion.

I won’t argue, because my father was correct. Beliefs and religion are highly-invested and internalized, and it takes more than words to change personal beliefs.

What people believe are their experiences, and what changes their minds and their lives, is living out the stories of their lives.

Perhaps you remember the news story of the rabbi and the skin heads surrounding a synagogue on the west coast a few years ago. The details for me are vague, but the story is clear. There was a group of skin heads who routinely desecrated a synagogue with graffiti and threatened the lives of the rabbi and his family.

It happened that one of the skin heads became chronically and critically ill. He had no one to take care of him, and the rabbi and his congregation became his constant support system. It was not very long before the skin head changed his mind about his “enemies.”

Reaching out, caring for, forgiving, and reconciling are the actions that changed the lives of everyone involved. It was not words; it was behavior that changed their lives.

When we think about making a difference in the world, it is not necessarily what we say, but who we are and what we do that changes people and conditions.

Making a difference is about how we involve ourselves in relationship with others, and how we involve ourselves in the stories of others’ lives. Because we all realize, eventually, it comes down to our shared existence.

Living out our religion changes not only others’ lives, it changes our own lives, too. If our lives are a witness to our beliefs, then we never have to argue with anyone about religion.

Source: Rev. Lillie Mae Henley, Universalist National Memorial Church, Washington, D.C., June 1, 2007 newsletter.