Worcester daily spy., 1853-10-20
Unstarian Convention.


This CcfFenion commenced with religious servi.
ces' on fSesday evening, Oct. IS, at the I'd CoDgre
gatiONaI Church, in This city, on which occasion,
The sermon was preached by Rev Samuel osgood, Of
New York. The subject was, "The Theology Of
the Heart
On "Wednesday morning, at O'Clock A. NJ, a
meeting for prayer and conference, was held at the
Church of the Unity, Elm street.
At the close of this meeting, at O'Clock, meet
ing for discussion, was held at the same place. The
Convention was organized by the choice of the fol.
lowing officers:
President Rev. S. X. LArHRoP, D. D., of Bos.
ton.
Vice Presidents Hon. John Davis of Worcester;
Rev. Dr. Nichols, of Portland, (or, in his absence)
Hon. Henry Hubbard, of Charlestown, N. H.; Hon
Stephen Fairbanks.
Secretaries-Rev. William o. White, Rev. SoIon
w. Bush.
The subject Of discussion was announced, as fol.
lows:
"By what means may the religious services of our
chluches, be made impresSiue?''
Rev Frederick Hedge, DID, of Providence, read
an Essay the subject, eaborarely and carefully
prepared the prominent object of which was to
advocate The adoption Of liturgy for the Church.
Rev Sumner Lincoln followed, in series OF re-
marks on the general subject Of the question under
consideration.
When he closed, Mr. Warren, of Brooklyn, N. Y,
expressed hope that the Convention would do
nothing which would commit the Unitarian Body TO
the views of DR. Hedges essay.
On motion of Rev DIR Hill, a committee of fonr
appointed to collect the names and make roll
Of the clerical and lay members of the Convention.
The subject was then resumed, and
Rev James Freeman Clark Of Boston, expressed
his conviction that great Of the want of
interest in the services of the church, was their
uniiormiN and sameness, and the formal manner in
which they were performed. He gave an account
Of his experience in the 'Chmch OF the Disciples
in Boston, in which the usual order OF The services
was departed from. They adopted fom the Meth
odisls. the mode Of singing by lhe Congregation
At The close of the sermon, they sat iur while in
silence, alter the oi the Friends; after
which, the prayer made by the pastor ertempo
ranooasiy. After an experience Of nine years, he
did not know OF individual Of the Society who
would be willing to return to the usual forms Of
worship.
Rev. Geo. G, Charming of Needham, from his
former connection with the church Of the Disciples,
could sustain the views Of the last speaker He
thought one reason why prayer in the church failed
to enlist The feelings Of the audience, was, the at
tempt Of the pastors TO adapt their language and
ideas to the condition and wants. not of themselves.
but Of their hearers Thus they lacked feeling and
JUNCTION. They should rather look within themselves.
and consider their condition, and feeling that
"they were sinners, and in need Of divine aid, they
would pray with an earnestness and power, which
would meet response in the hearts OF the people.
If the prayer extemporaneous aud after the SER
mon, it would very naturally be prompted by the
subjects discussed in the scrmon, and thus the minds
Of the people would be already prepared 10 90 with
THEN pastor, and the prayer would be much more
impressive.
Rev. Mr. Cordner Of Montreal spoke of the pre-.
paralion and influences which render church SER
vices impressive and useful
Mr. --, layman, Of Augusta, Me, spoke
of family worship, and of lis influence in preparinp
the mind for the services Of the church He spoke
also OF the means Of making those services more i'm
presslve, and thought they might be made lilurgi.
cal, ioa limited extent,with advantage.
The discussion took direction, more di-
recy than before, in reference to the adoption of
liturgy, which advocated by Rev. Messrs. Os.
good OF New York. and Farley of Brooklyn, and
Hon. Henry Hubbard of Charlesown, N. H., and
opposed by Rev. Geo. E.EIlis Of Charestown Mass.
and Messrs. Warren OF Brooklyn,N NY, and Work
man Of Montreal. Rev. Mr.. Hassel, of Mendon.
also addressed the Convention.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at 8 O'Clock p. NJ, in the
Second Congre gationa Church, when the subject of
discussion was announced AS folIpws:
What constitutes membership of The Church of
Christ, and right to Partahe Of The Lords Supper?''
This question was debated with much earnestness
during the session. The crowded state of our col
umns precudes any further notice of il at this time,
as well as Of the Banquet, which took place at the
City Hall, in the evening,