The Universalist. [volume], October 30, 1897, Image 1

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* IV. \ vqlrlxx™o.^est1_CHICAGO AND CINCINNATI, SATURDAY, OCTOBKK 30, 1897. {THEv^txSa^NTl NO. 44
The "siffliversalist
t RELIGIOUS AND FAMILY WEEKLY
^iversalist Publishing House,
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a. F. ENDICOTT, General Agent
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ADDDRESS TO THE CLERGY.
BY H. N. HIGINBOTHAM,
Wednesday Evening, Oct. 20.
A humorous friend of mine once told
me that he liked being an Episcopalian
because it gave him an opportunity to
talk back. A greet many people within
and without ths churches, and within
and without social organizations, often
feel themselves called upon to express
their views upon some particular topic;
but they are ever held in the leash of
circumstances that seem eternally to
hedge them about. A great many times
in my life I have felt that perhaps 1
had pent within my consciousness some
intellectual force that might be of bene
fit to mankind, and I have—but far lees
frequently—entertained at times rather
strong views on church matters. It
never occurred to me that I would be
called upon to express them; I never
considered in my mind what I should
say if I were called upon, and I freely
confess that now I am facing the ac
cepted duty of addressing myself to the
clergy, and I do not mind saying that I
am very nervous about it, and question
whether I can deliver myself with any
particular advantage to the occasion.
By inheritance and early education I
am a member of the Universalist Church
and as such have occasionally devoted
what might be called spare time to the
consideration of the affairs of the or
ganization.
I have never gone eo far as to serious
ly weigh the responsibilities of the
clerymen of the Church, or to question
whether their duties were all performed
or their privilege taken ample advant
age of. Since receiving the rather im
perative invitation of Mr. Nash to speak
on the general topic, "An Evening With
Ourselves,” and to occupy a suppositious
pulpit with the clergymen in the con
gregation, I have undertaken to corre
late some of the ideaB that have come to
me from observation and experience, to
the end that possibly what I might say
should not be entirely without practical
value. A Christian minister must Bit in
the pit of the theatre of life occasionally
to properly understand the criticism
that comes from the untrained mind.
Many impressions for good or for evil
are made upon the average human mind
by the acting of a clergyman. His atti
tude toward his fellow-men and his con
duct in general society have much to do
in forming an estimate to be placed up
on the sincerity and wisdom of what he
may utter from the pulpit. The clergy
man should stand with us in darkness
that we may Bee the light; the clergy
man need be neither sanctimonious nor
austere to gain the wholesome respect
of those with whom he is brought in
contact. He may proceed with his daily
life with familiarity and frankness.
This may occasionally expose him to
embarassment, but it is better than dis
tance, ever present solemnity,or a notice
able dignity of carriage. I would at
once, however, assert that the influence
of the pulpit is not always advanced by
a too conspicuous and partisan partici
pation in temporal affairs, or in the dis
cussion of public questions. Public
questions effecting the moral welfare of
a community, of necessity trench upon
the strength of the doctrinarian, and
battle should be given in the name of
the church whenever the danger line is
reached.
It is in such a crisis as this that I feel
the worldly wisdom of the layman may
be of assistance to the clergymao. He
is shoulder to shoulder with the masses;
he has his hand upon the pulse of senti
ment; he knows how deep a certain
movement or social rebellion is. If the
clergyman, feeling impelled, for the
good of hie parishioners, to take for his
text a political or social question then
agitating a community, would before
preparing hiB sermon seek the advice of
laymen, some few of them, I believe in
many instances the power of the pulpit
would be more efficaciously exercised,
and the possibilities for good measurably
multiplied. •
A clergyman may be entertaining,
often amusing, without being undigni
fied. A clergyman should always bear
in mind that the composite intellect
that he is addressing is fur below hie
standard of thought, far below hisstand
ard of education, far below his standard
of knowledge of the Bible and of the
tenets of the church. A minister is
elevated in a pulpit in obedience to the
accouetic requirements of the auditor
ium in which he is speaking, but he
should be careful not to apeak over the
intellect as well as over the heads of his
congregation, John Wesley said that
all attempts at soaring above a man’s
natural capacity was "grasping at the
stars and sticking in the mud." I ab
hor a sensational preacher. At the
same time I confess that it seems in
these days as if somethirg unusual is
demanded by people to attract them to
church services. Many churches resort
to music, orchestration, a fine choir;
others to distinguished and notable so
cial functions; others secure the pastor
ate of what is not called a preacher or
clergyman, but a pulpit orator. The
theory of the sensational preacher is, 1
suppose, tbbt while he is attracting at
tention by some startling dramatic ac
tion or figure of speech, he takes advant
age of an opportunity to drive home
same great truth, Mr. Taylor in "The
Model Preacher” says: “The degree
of excitement which you wish to produce
by an illustration should be graduated
by the character of the subject to be
illustrated. The exciting character of
a mere incident may be made such as to
carry the feelings of the hearer away
from the subject instead of carrying
them to it, and thus destroy the effect
of the principal figure aimed at.” On
the other band, this same writer says:
“Levity in the house of God is execrable,
but the risible emotions excited by the
appositenees of a happy illustration of
truth and serving to Bwell the sails that
bear the soul heavenward, or that arise
from religious joy in the soul, are just as
appropriate in divine worship as tears.”
This expression comes from a clergy
man, however, who does uot fully be
lieve in the right of private judgment,
love for the individual conscience, and
it there is less excuse for sensation
al preaching on the part of the clergy
men of one denomination more than an
other, it is that denomination whore car
dinal doctrine is that unity of spirit and
aim should take precedence over'unity
of thought; the exponents of the creed
that leaves something to the trustworthi
ness of the human faculties. It is neither
my nature nor purpose to find fault; but
I truet you will pardon me it I call at
tention to what seems to me to be want
ing either in the clergy of our denomina
tion or in the laity or possibly in both.
We have id our faith and in our hearts
a view of the attributes and purposes of
our Creator that is superior to others;
notwithstanding this fact we have not
made the best use of this faith that we
cherish—if we are to judge by the suc
cess of affiliated membership. May I
therefore not urge you as the expound
ers of our faith to make the most of
your opportunities, never missing an
occasion to use the vantage. The most
beautiful picture commands the great
est price. The best of anything is most
sought after. Our God is the one that
satieties the longings of humanity
whether in sickness or health, in pros
perity or adversity, in Bunshine or
shadow, looking backward cr forward.
It is good to live by, to work by or to die
by. It is full of charity, love and un
selfish devotion to others. It seems to
me that it is the only doctrine that can
be successfully preached, and yet I know
that others gain the favor of the many
and we are always in the minority. I
am inclined to the opinion that it iB
largely for the reason that it is not
understood. Make it your aim there
fore, by your living as well as by your
utterances, to undeceive those who
observe and hear. Some will not set
aside their prejudice and give you an
opportunity to Bpeak to them; they must
be influenced by our example and by
yours. Those of you who live in smaller
circles or communities can do this
better than those of ub who live in a
large city. I am frequently asked if I
am not a Presbyterian, a Methodist or
an Episcopalian, and when away from
home I have been aBked where I
preached.
I have many friends who do not attend
the Universalist Church. I have many
friends who say they are religionists but
not Christians; I have friends, intimate
friends, who are regular attendants upon
and devout members of tbe Episcopal,
the Congregational, tbe Presbyterian
and the Methodist churches. We talk
occasionally upon matters of religion. I
have become more and more impressed
with what is commonly called the liber
alizing of churchmen. It seems to me
somehow that nearly everybody is a
Universalist away down inside. I have
sometimes thought that perhaps the
mission of the Universalist Church is
over; that the whole loaf has been leav
ened. Few intelligent men seem to fear
a perpetual physical lake of tire; few
men seem to believe that the gates of
that Beautiful City are never to open to
them; that it is possible to sin away the
day of salvation and that evolution and
progress cease with the material body.
A cruel Creator is generally denied.
Phis, however, is largely without one
great denomination that seems to hold
supreme sway of bigotry and superstition
over its people. It would be of great
benebt to society; it would uplift the
moral side of temporal affairs immeas
urably if there could be eradicated even
the vestige of hope that a life of sin and
wrong-doing could be atoned by the
fevered utterances, you might say, hal
lucinations, of a dying man. It is
remarkable how many men rely upon
tbe deathbed repentance even yet.
One or two practical suggestions and
General Convention, Chicago, 1897.
I am done. It is impossible in thesedays
to expect any appreciable benefits from
a church organization that is tottering
under a load of debt. It is unreasonable
to expect enthusiastic devotion, and
single-hearted labor from a clergyman
who is under-paid.
The official board of a church that is
in debt is compelled to deal constantly
with sordid questions, instead of seek
ing a means of drawing within its folds
the wanderer and the wayfarer. A
clergyman whose faculties and energies
are engaged in a struggle with debt and
in an effort to keep up appearances and
educate his family, etc., cannot have
the time nor the impulee to perform his
clerical work properly, nor to lead with
kindly direction the stumbling and un
reasonable people to whom his life is
dedicated.
Theology had for its original object
the explanation of natural lawB, and to
day the more of nature we throw into
our religion, the better for us and the
more reverential to God. I believe in
flowers, not only in the beauty of their
form, in their fragrance, but in the
story they tell, the lessons they teach
and the emotions they inspire; and I
do not know why it is, but my thoughts
leal me naturally somehow from flow
ers to children, and if this good society
of ourB has dcte nothing else, it has
lived to see the obliteration of the doc
trine that 6ome little children are ever
lastingly lost because of the lack of the
performance of some finite ceremony.
Children were intended for Heaven—the
angels love children; and if I could
convince one man that God has never
reprobated a child to everlasting perdi
tion, it would be a constant Bource of
joy to me.
Let our ministers continue to preach
a progress of the soul, as science has
demonstrated the progressive evolution
of the body and the intellect; let them
spread the doctrine of ultimate salva
tion; let them get into the hearts, as
well as into the minds and the pockets
of the laymen; let them gain from con
tact with the members of their church
and with those who are not members’
knowledge of the difficulties and the
doubts that cling to the struggling soul
of a man engrossed with the responsi
bilities of a station in life into which cir
cumstances have not only forced him,
but also cruelly hold him. When this
is done, I will frankly admit that the
mission of our church has cot ceased.
Many a business man would be glad to
surrender a position of power and of re
sponsibility and devote himself to the
welfare of human souls, if he could
gain his moral consent to lay down
these burdens. And where shall the
layman find the inspiration for this
kind of service except it be from the
faithfulness of the pulpit? The clergy
man should not lose heart if he does not
win momentary applause. He never
can know or measure the benefits and
helps to the casual listener, who may
disappear forever from his vision carry
ing with him impreeeions that will
abide and inspire to kindly deeds and
heroic actions. Many a man is obliged
to hurry his church work as he forces
along his business affairs. Clergymen
Bhould be considerate and charitable
with such men. They Bhould, neverthe
less, impreso upon laymen that great
peace may cot be purchased with mon
ey, but that a man's acts and his help
fulness and his humanity and bis soul
fulness in his daily walk are a greater
contribution to his future happiness
thau all the wealth he may pour into
the coffers of the church.
CLOSING ADDBESS.
PRESIDENT O. L. HUTCHINSON.
It will soon be njy duty to declare this
convention adjourned. I wae told that
I must dismiss you with a few words of
benediction and inspiration. I can ful
fil this request only by uniting with you
in a fervent prayer to Almighty God
that the benediction of the Father may
rest upon us, and that the inspiration of
our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, may
be with us as we go hence. I feel that
the spirit of the Master has been mani
fested amongst us while we have been
together and that we go away refreshed
and strengthened. Better prepared to
do His work. In that work the church
we love has a part to perform. In the
salvation of the world God has reserved
a part for man to do. I had intended
here briefiy to consider the work and
mission of the Univerealist church.
How has it done its work in the past?
Has it fulfilled its mission? Wherein
has it failed and what may we hope for
its future. No honeBt, consecrated man
fears to look facts in the face with the
avowed intention of profiting by his
shortcomings. We need not tear to
review the history of cur church and to
compare our work with that of our more
zealous brothers. One third of the
entire population of our country, includ
ing men, women and children, arechurch
members. Of these, two-thirds are
called Protestant and one-third Roman
Catholic. Among the Protestant
churches, in cumerical strength the
Methodist comes hist, followed respect
ively by the Baptist, the Presbyterian,
the Lutheran, the Christian and the
Episcopalian. What power on life and
thought do these mighty organizations
exert. Standing side by Bide with these
stronger bodies we find our own. When
we compare our numbers with those of
the so-called Evangelical church ours
indeed seem insignificant. Our work
and our influence must not be judged
by our numbers. Neither must we
admit for a single moment that the
work accomplished in the past is to be
the measure of our growth in the future.
There is not a single man amongst us
who can look back upon an active life of
twenty-seven years and conscientiously
say to himBelf that he has done all that
he could have done, that he has em
braced every opportunity and been
faithful to every trust. He is a courage
ous man who in making such a retro
spect, will acknowledge his short
comings and his failures, and say to
himself I have striven and I have failed>
at least give me credit for the striving.
The dreams of my youth have not been
realized but the ideals are still with me.
After all these years of seeming use
less effort I have still the strength and
courage to try once more to attain them
We need not be ashamed to acknowledge
our short-comings. A true patriot and
Christian can always make a manly
defense as did Paul before the Roman
Governor. Our church has not em
braced every opportunity, it has not
been equal to the work put upon it, still
we have no reueon to be pessimistic.
Ret us set about to find wherein we
have been and still hre weak. Let us
hope to mend our evil ways, to strength
en oureelveB and do robler service for
God and men. We need not hesitate to
look to our Evangelical brethren for help
or shrink from adopting their methods
it it le proved that by them they are
doing better service for the Master. The I
Master we serve as truly as they. In
the common task there are difficulties in
common. You will find them asking
the same questions and trying to solve
the same problems, I believe that the
Universalist Church was never in better
condition for loyal service than it is to
day. Let us not be afraid of ourselves.
There are many things one would like
to say upon this occasion. It is seldom
that a layman has such an opportunity
of addressing so many clergymen. It
would be ungracious to take advantage
of it. You who are here need not to be
told of the importance of supporting
this organization, the General Con
vention.
We regret that there are some who do
not realize the fact that such a body as
this is absolutely essential to the exist
ence of the Universalist church as an
organized power for Christian work in
the world. In this day and generation
while the importance of the individual
must not be overlooked, the existence
of organization is absolutely necessary.
The great weakness of the earlier work
of our denomination is to be found in
the fact that we did not realize the
necessity of unite! effort. All were so
busy in tearing down the errors of old
dogmas that little time was given to the
building up of a church militant. It iB
a mistake to take away the faith of any
man unless you are sure that you can
ground him in a better one. Much time
was given setting forth what we did not
believe. This was then and is now a
mistake. You cannot build upon nega
tions. There is positive work to be
done and there is need of men with con
victions to undertake the task. A man
with an opinion is of small account in
this world. A man of conviction has
power to revolutionize the community
in which he dwells. I believe that we
have at last come to appreciate the im
portance of organized effort. I heard
one of our members say that not a
Universalist in the West dare Btand
against this convention. This is not the
spirit that we want. We must be able
to say that not a clergyman in our entire
denomination can be found who does
not respect and love it.
One of the fundamental principles of
the gospel of Chriet, as we interpret it,
may well be here set forth. It is "a love
of service, and a service of love.” The
Bpirit of this convention has been tine.
I would that every minister enjoying
the fellowship of the Universalist church
could have been present during the en
tire session; I know that each and every
one would have gone from it not only
with greater respect, but with deeper
love. To me it has brought a revelation.
For twenty years we have been discuss
ing the revision of our creed. We have
dreaded to approach the subject at
each succeeding convention, fearing that
through our action some of our number
might be driven away. At lenght, we
have awakened to the fact that, in what
we thought was our greatest weakness,
lies our greatest strength. These years
of trial and uncertainty have revealed it
to us. In spirit we are unauimous.
Each and every one of us is willing to
go forth bearing the banner of our
church, upon which is written, in no
uncertain words: We believe in the
universal Fatherhood of God. The
spiritual authority and leadership of
His Son, Jesus Christ. The trustworthi
ness of the Bible as containing a revela
tion from God. The certainty of retri
bution for sin. The final harmony of all
souls with God.
Interpret this as y ou may. It you are
under the influence of the Spirit that
inspired it, you will do loyal service for
the Master, to the glory of almighty
God and to the everlasting benefit of
our brother man. In the other prob
lem that has confronted us, namely,
how to harmonize individualism with
organization, great progress has been
made toward solution. In the light of
this session now closing, was there ever
a more hopeful outlook for this conven
tion? With the fortunes of its organized
head rests the future of the Universalist
church.
The time is one offering grand oppor
tunity for work in our Master’s cause.
There are, however, conditions peculiar
to our ege. At times, some of the diffi
culties seem insurmountable. Upon
some of these I had intended to speak
at length. You are weary of listening.
At this late hour of the convention,
what could I hope to say that has not
been already spoken? Several times
during our deliberations have the evils
I would have you consider been men
tioned. Why such a lack of coneecrated
workers among people who call them
selves Christian?
There are more Christians in the
world today, and with larger influence,
than ever before since the birth of the
Christ. They are not, however, relative
ly so well organized. For better organ
ization must we strive. In our effort of
organization have we kept pace with
with the material development of our
country. I mean in the fostering and
organizing of its moral and religious
forces. It took the first president of
the United States three days to go from
Washington to New York. When Presi
dent Harrison left the White House to
go from the Capital to New York, to
celebrate the centennial of the adoption
of the Constitution, he accomplished
the journey in four and a half hours.
How marvelous has been the material
development of our country! Have we
kept pace with that development in our
intellectual and religious work? We can
not expect to forward this work success
fully simply by employing the old ways.
Still, in adopting new methods, there is
great danger. We must have a care
lest we lose sight of religion altogether
Here in the west, at least, we are
overrun with Materialism and it requires
great strength of religious principle to
fight successfully against it. In doing
so we are sometimes tempted to meet it
helf way. Let us not forget that hu
manitarianism is not religion. It is fed
by religion. Alas for this world if the
fountains should become dry—I will
omit much I had on my heart to say:
What is the Mission of the Universalist
Church?
It does not exist solely for the purpose
of preaching the universal salvation of
mankind. This truth we hold dear and
there was a time when it was meet to
lay great stress upon it. That day is
now happily passing away. The work
and mission of the Universalist church
is to preach the Gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ. It should strive through
him to win men to God and righteous
ness. To bring to each and every one
of ub the personal and not the his
toric Christ. Mere intellectual be
lief is far from sufficient. We cannot
agree with our Evangelical brethren
that its mission is accomplished. If
the kingdom of God is fully established
upon earth and there is no more work
to be done among men in the Master’s
name. Then our mission is ended but
if there is still work to be done for Bin
ning, suffering children of God we have
as loud a call to do that work as our
most zealous orthodox brethren. If in
the past we have not done as much
of the Master’s work as they it has
not been the fault of our creed, but
of our poor human weakness and
lack of consecration. We believe that
we have the grandest interpretation
of the Word of God yet revealed to
man. With it comes not only our op
portunity but our duty to render the
greatest service to our fellow man. We
can say with Paul “for God hath not
given us the spirit of fear—but of power
and of love and of a sound mindf Are
we worthy of the gift? Are we equal
to the responsibility it puts upon
us. Yes, if the Grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ be with us and the love of God
and we be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
General Convention.
THE REOOBD.
Outline of the Business Proceedings—
Motions and Resolutions- What
Was Enacted by Vote, Ktc.
St. Pai l’s Church, Chicago, 111.,
Oct. 19, 1897.
The General Convention of Uni
versalists was called to order at 2:30
p. m., the President, Mr. Charles L.
Hutchinson, in the chair. Prayer
was offered by Rev. Dr. J. C. Adams,
of New Xork. An address of wel
come to the General Convention was
given by Rev. Dr. A. J. Canfield, of
Chicago, and responded to by Rev.
Dr. Geo. L. Perin, of Massachusetts,
Vice President of Convention.
The president announced aquorum
present, and stated if there was no
objection that the roll call would be
suspended until evening, and at the
close of the afternoon session the
convention would adjourn to meet at
7:45 p. m:—and no objection was
offered.
The Secretary nominated and asked
the President to appoint as his assis
tants: Mrs. Emma L, James, of Ohio,
and Rev. Eugene M. Grant, of Con
necticut, which was so done.
The President made a short ad
dress, and appointed the following
sessional committees.
un Jteligious services: Kev. Dr.
Canfield, Illinois; Mrs. May Bridge,
California; and Rev. C. R. East, Mis
souri.
On Elections: Rev. W. H. Morri
son, New Hampshire; Rev. Walter
Dole, Vermont; Miss Flora B. Brown,
Indiana.
Monitors: Mr. Harry Hersev, Mass
achusetts; Rev. J. Murray Atwood,
Minnesota; Rev Carl F. Henry, Ohio;
Rev. Chas Legal, Michigan.
The Holy Communion followedi
administered by Rev. Dr. A. J. Can
field and Rev. J. J. Lewis, pastors of
St. Paul’s Church; Rev. Dr. G. L.
Demarest.New Hampshire; Rev. Dr.
J. S. Cantwell, Illinois; Rev. Holmes
Slade, Illinois; and Rev. Charles H.
Rogers, Texas, serving as deacons.
The offering of the Gunn Minis
terial Relief Fund amounted to
$82.20.
The Occasional Sermon preached
by the Rev. Dr. Arthur G. Rogers, of
Pennsylvania, closed the afternoon
session.
A service of song was led by Rev.
U. S. Milburn,of Ohio, at 7:30 p. m.
The convention was called to order
at 7:45 p. m., by the president,
Prayer was offered by Rev. F. A.
Dillingham, of Connecticut.
The roll of the convention was
called by the secretary,—eighty re
sponded to their names.
The president appointed com
mittees for the session as follows:
On Nominations: Rev. L. B. Fish
er, New York; Mr. F. A. Winkelman,
Illinois; Rev. R. E. Sykes, Colorado;
Rev. W. S. Perkins, Connecticut;
Rev. John Vannever, New Hamp
shire.
On Official Reports: Dr. I. M.
Atwood, New York; Hon. H. B. Met
calf, Rhode Island; Rev. Dr. F. A.
Bisbee, Pennsylvania; Rev. L. S.
McCollester, Michigan, Rev. Dr. E.
H. Capen, Massachusetts; Rev. E. G.
Mason, New Jersey; Col. J. S. Wil
cox, Illinois.
On Resolutions: Rev. Dr. Geo. B.
Stocking, Illinois; Rev. Chas. H.
Rogers, Texas; Dr. H. B.Laflin, Wis
consin; Rev. U. S. Mdburn, Ohio.
The secretary began the reading of
the Report of the Board of Trustees.
It was moved by Rev. Dr. I. P.
Booth, of Vermont, and seconded,
that the further reading of the re
port be dispensed with. An amend
ment offered by Rev. L. H. Squires
that the secretary read only such part
of it as he considered of vital import
ance, was seconded and carried.
The report was referred to the
Committee on Official Roprts, to
which committee the treasurer’s re
port was also referred. The Trustees’
report of 1896 was also referred to
the Committee on Official Reports.
Rev. Dr. Henry W. Rugg, the Fi
nancial Secretary, presented a re
port of his work during the year,
which was referred to the same com
mittee.
Rev. Dr. Q. H. Shinn, the General
Missionary gave his report, the sub
stance of which was referred to the
Committee on Official Reports.
It was moved by Rev. Dr. E. C.
Sweetser, of Pennsylvania, and sec
onded that the matter of ratification
of the form of the Profession of
Faith, adopted at Meriden, Con
necticut, be made the special order
for to morrow morning at 9:30.
Rev. T. E. Ballard, of Indiana,
moved to amend that the matter be
considered at 9 a. m., of Thursday;
seconded. The motion to amend was
lost: 30 ayes and 37 nays.
The question then recurring upon
Rev. Dr. E. C. Sweetser’s original
motion, it was adopted.
Rev. John Vannever, of New
Hampshire moved, and it was sec
onded, that the following telegram
be sent to morrow.
To the Hon. Moses Humphrey, Hall
of Representatives, State House,
Concord, N, H.
The Universalist General Conven
tion in session at Chicago sends you
fraternal greeting. Your long life
of honored service in church and
world merits the expression of grate
ful remembrance from your many
friends and co-laborers on this your
ninetieth birthday. May heaven’s
blessing continue to attend you and
your faithful helpmate.
Signed by the president and sec
retary. The motion was carried.
I Adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
October 20, 1897.
The convention was calledjto order
at 9:30 a. m. by the president. Prayer
was offered by theRev. Stephen Crate
of Ulii|pis. The assistant secretary
read the minutes of the previous day>
which in absence of objection were
approved. Rev. W. H. Morrison of
New Hampshire, chairman of com
mittee on elections, made a partial
report, which was accepted and
adopted. The secretary called the
roll: ninety three responded to their
names.
The president appointed Mr. Thos.
H. Armstrong of Massachusetts and
Mr. John B. Watkins of New York to
fill the vacancies cn the committee
on official reports.
The chair called up as unfinishe !
business the proposed amendment to
the constitution providing for a
change in the Profession of Faith as
adopted at MerideD,Conn .forratifica
or rejection.
Rev. Dr. J. WT. Henley of Ohio
moved, and it was seconded, that
speeches upon the Bubject be limited
to ten minutes.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Crane of Illinois,
moved to amend by substitution that
the convention proceed to vote with
out discussion. Seconded.
Rev. T. E. Ballard of Indiana, pre
sented a memorial protest from the
Indiana Convention, which was re
ceived and placed on file.
Rev. T. E. Ballard arose to a point
of order. He considered the amend
ment of Dr. Crane out of order. The
ruling of the chair was against the
point of order. The convention was
appealed to and voted to sustain the
judgment of the chair.
Rev. Dr. Crane’s amendment was
then under consideration; discussed
by Rev. Dr. Sweetserof Pennsylvania,
Rev. Dr. S. H. Roblin of Massachu
setts, and Rev. Dr. Crane. The
amendment was carried, and the con
vention proceeded to vote upon the
proposed amendment. The votewas
taken by roll call, and resulted in
ayes 1, nays 102:—Lost.
Rev. Dr. Roblin of Massachusetts,
moved the suspension of the by-laws
to be able to take up new business rel
ative to a change in the Profession
of Faith. There were sixty-nine votes
to suspend the by-laws, nh.ch carried
the motion. Dr. Roblin offered a
substitute for the Winchester Pro
fession of Faith, known aB the “Bos
ton plan.” Dr. Sweetser of Pennsly
vania offered an amendment, which
was accepted.
Dr. Eddy produced the original
draft of the Winchester Profession of
Faith, and after reading from it pre.
sented it, with other papers, to the
convention. They were accepted by
the president in behalf of the conven
tion. Rev. Drs. Roblin and Atwood
and Rev. T. E. Ballard discussed the
proposed substitution.
The program at this point (11:30
a. m.) provided for two addresses re
spectively by Rev. Richard E. Sykes
of Colorado and Rev. Prof. Fisher of
New York, who under the pressure of
the business of the hour, waived their
privilege of address, and the discus
sion proceeded by remarks from Dr.
Capen of Massachusetts, Rev. W. W.
Hooper of Maine, Dr. Nash of Illi
nois, Dr. Sweetser of Pennsylvania,
Dr. H. L. Canfield of Ohio, Rev. John
Vannever of New Hampshire, Rev. L.
H. Squires of New York, and Mr. H.
A. Manning of Illinois. The previous
question was called for and the vote
on the proposed amendment was
taken by roll call. Whole number of
members 114. Necessary to ratifica
tion 76. The ayes were 70, nays 32,
and the amendment was lost.
Hon. H. B. Metcalf of Rhode Island
moved to reconsider the vote, which
was seconded, and the motion was laid
on the table. Adjourned to 2:30 r. u.
The convention was called to order
at 2:30 p. m., Vice-President Perin in
the chair. The Committee on Elec
tions made a partial report. The re
port of the committee appointed at
Meriden to consider the relations o f
New York and General Conventions,
Rev. Dr. J. C. Adams, chairman, was
read, and referred to the Committee
on Official Reports.
Rev. Dr. Sweetser moved that the
motion to reconsider the vote in the
morning be taken from the table.
Carried, and after some discussion,
further consideration was assigned to
10 a. m. of Thursday. It was ordered
that the proposed amendment be
printed.
The Committee on Offioial Reports
Rev. Dr. Atwood of N. Y., Chairman
made a partial report whioh was read
and disposed of in sections. Section
1, relating to Biennial Conferences
was adopted unanimously. Section
2, relating to the reduction of 'he
lCONTINUED ON EIGHTH TAUB.)