The Portland daily press., 1863-09-18

III. F. Bowles, of New Hampshire presided,
was addressed by several of the clergymen
and laymen in spirited and interesting man
ner. The attendance was large.
The Council assembled at the City Hall at
9 o'clock-Ex-Gov. Washburn in the chair.
Rev. j. w. Putnam of Massachusetts, chair
man of the Committee on the state of the
Church, made an able and interesting report,
which was laid upon the table.
Public services at the City Hall, and at the
church at 10 l-2 o'clock Sermon at the hall
by Rev. A. Skinner of Cambridgeport, from
Zachariah, IA chapter and 18th verse:
at shall TO pass, ut evening time it shall be
| light"
He gave description of the church during
the dark ages-spoke of christianity in It's in
fancy-our country in its struggle for national
existence, showing how from the most dark,
unpromising condition, the church and the
country had come to a condition of prosperity
and power. He spoke of national troubles
from which we are to be delivered and shine
forth as in afore time. He spoke of the light
that shines out of darkness in the personal eX-
! perience of every ore. He gave thrilling
account OF the last hours oil the Rev. Lyman
Beecher during which, before leaving the body
| he had view of the promised land. MIR.
Skinner is an earnest and eloquent speaker
and was listened to with much interest.
The sermon at the church was by Rev. X.
Eddy, from the text,
Lord, believe, help thou mine unbelief."
The following preamble and resolutions in
troduced by Rev. J. G. Bartholomew of Mass,
chairman OF the committee, on the state of the
country, have the true ring of patriotism, and
are just such an expression as we might ex-
pect from the denomination in regard to the
rebellion and the efforts to suppress it:
Whereas The General Convention of Universalists
in the United States of America, has been dis
tinguished for its loyalty TO Government and its de-
votion to the principles of freedom and humanity,
therefore
Resolred, That in this time of National PERIL when
the wicked hands of blood-thirsty rebellion have
been raised to strike death blow at the Constitution
and Laws of the land, and overthrow the liberties of
Providence in the constant and jealous loyalty of
the great majority of our people, well the VIC
tories which have recently crowned our arms, and
while we still appeal 10 our rulers and the people not
to abate their vgor in prosecuting the until the
rebellion is efectuay subdued, yet feel that our
trust must be in God, who alone can give us perma
nent triumph.
Resofred, That renew our expression of Chris
tian fidelity ana loyalty to the Government and
affirm confidence in our Chief Magistrate, whose
honesty Of purpose stands unimpeached, and that
recognize in his Proc amation of jan LIST, 1863 the
carrying out of the injunction of Scripture TO brcak
every yoke and let the oppressed 90 free"
Resoired. That we recognize the wisdom which
prompted onr fathers in the struggle for National
Independence TO arm the negro in securing our free
dom and sanguine in the belief that similar
policy adopted at this time which shall call the
blacks to share with the whites the perils and sacr
blessings of a common freedom will be equally eff
fectuan establishing order among and striking at
the root of the rebellion $50 that chea peace
IL ,oiH come to stay, and peace north hdrng
Resofred, That the President of this Council be in
structed to forward to the President of the United
States copy these resolutions.
These resolutions were taken up in the
afternoon. The first passed unanimously with
out debate. The second called out quite a
spirited discussion, and the yeas and nays were
called for. The question was taken by yeas
and nays and passed-30 yeas ,3nays The third
and fourth were passed with but little opposi-
ton.
The report Of the Committee on organiza-
ton was taken up and passed upon, section by
section, until all were passed with amend
ments. The plan of organization is to be &C.
cepted by the State Conventions, as we under
stand, before it is adopted as the policy of the
denomination.
The report Of the Committee on Education
was accepted, as was the report of the Com
mittee on the state of the Church.
Various resolutions of thanks were offered
and passed.
At o'clock public services were held in the
City Hall; sermon by Rev. Mr.. Chambre, from
Gal. 6: IA. The Cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ. He gave vivid description of the
death and resurrection of Christ. 1t was an
able and eloquent sermon. The ordinance of
The Lords Supper was administered by Rev.
A. r. Abbott and Rev. F. A. Hodsdon. 1t was
highly interesting and affecting occasion.
The Committee on Education, through its
chairman, Rev. w. r. French of Maine, pre-
sented an able report, which was accepted and
ordered to be printed with the minutes. The
report of the Committee on the State of the
Church took the same direction.
has not been agreed upon. The preacher of
the Occasional Sermon-Rev Giles Bailey of
Maine. Substitute, Rev. Z. Fisher, ID. d., of
New York.
The business of the Convention has been
very tremendously transacted, although the
debates on some questions were animated, and
gave evidence of much moral and mental
power.
In the evening the exercises were very in
teresting A sermon was preached in the hall
by Rev. Mr.. Battles of Maine, and another in
the church by Rev. Mr.. Patterson of New
Hampshire. Both places we're well filed, and
the sermons were listened to with marked at
tentioh. After the sermons some half hour or
more was occupied in remarks of stirring
and profitable character. With these meet
ings the Convention closed its labors in this
city.
The United States Convention of Univer-
salsts is a delegate Convention, organized as
we learn, in New Hampshire, in the year 1855,
since which 1t has held its meetings each sue
cessive year, uninterruptedly, to the present
time, SO that this is the 10th annual meeting.
The basis of representation from each of the
State Conventions is either upon the number
of churches, or membership, we are not GER
tain which, on such ratio that Maine has only
four clerical and four laymen delegates The
following is list of the delegates present at
this Convention: