Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-10-07
Universalist Convention.

This body is the general assembly of the
Universalist denomination, and extends It's
jurisdiction over the states and territories of
the United States 1t held its meeting, for
this year, in st, Paups church, Chicago, COM
mencing on the morning Of the 18th, and
closing on the evening of the 18th instant
The session was largely attended, being COM
posed of clergymen and delegates from TWEEN
ty-one different states and territories of the
Union. The chief object of the annual
gathering of this body is the transaction of
ecclesiastical business by the council, but the
interest of the occasion is greatly enhanced
by frequent seasons of religious worship, and
which are usually attended by very large au-
diences.
A sermon was preached on Tuesday morn
ing by Rev. D. G. Tomlinson, of Indepep-
dence, Iowa. His subject was perseverance,
IN wcll-doing. The preacher gave very
good common sense view of what be regard
ed as the needs and duties of the denomina-
ton and urged his friends to a deeper, truer
practical realization of the excellences of their
faith. We thought there were many merits
in the sermon, but the manner in which it
was delivered was very far from being unex-
ceptionable! We never could see why a
preacher should not do something personally
towards Kidding the pulpit of its stereotyped
dulness
In the afternoon, Rev. j. S. Dennis, of
Massachusetts,, gave discourse from Job
XXI: O." Great men are not dtlDdys a0sSe."
He said the Savior taught perfect religion,
adapted to human nature in all its conditions.
Conseryators, leaders of opinion, men of
wealth and worldly influence, stood in the
way of this new faith, or it had been more
generally received; and he regarded it as
especially true in religious matters, that great
men are not always wise. The preacher was
rather happy and forcible in his illustrations
and in his delivery, though his voice was quite
too sepulchral to be heard at all times pleas
ing.
Rev. A. c. Thomas, of Philadelphia, some
what celebrated in former years for his con-
troversies with DR.. Ely, Luther Lee, and 9TH
er prominent opponents, preached a discourse
in the evening on Paganism, Judaism, Chris
tianity, and things in general, throwing in
illustratively pathetic allusion to his dear
wife" and "lttle Frank" We have no
doubt such references in preaching indicate
recommendable atfectionate disposition; but
if they are necessary, we go at once for the
celibacy of the clergy. They strike us as
being no more in taste than Latin orations at
college commandments. Mr. T. is never
theless man of rare abilities and acquire
ments, and is usually, we understand, remark
ably successful in his public ministrations.-
On this occasion, however, he was not par
ticularly fortunate. But, if great men are
not always wise, great preachers may some
times consistently enough make slight fail
ures.
The occasional sermon was delivered on
Wednesday forenoon by Rev. K. G. Brooks,
of Lynn, Mass. We understand the subject
was Universalsm to be the American church
of the future. The subject was entirely de-
nominational in its bearings, but it was dis
cussed in a mastery manner, and did not
fail to hold the undivided attention of the au-
dience. Mr.. B. is preacher who would be
an honor to any cause.
The evening discourse was preached by
the editor of the Boston Trumpet, Rev.
Thomas Whittemore, from Tim. i: 10, and
was devoted to the subject of salvation from
sin. This sermon was evidently listened to
with great satisfaction. Itwas eloquent and
earnest, and must have made deep impress
sion on the minds of those who heard it. "A
On Thursday morning, Rev. 0. Al. Skin
ner, Of Cambridgeport, Mass, preached an
ordinary sermon, and an extraordinary one