The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-13
The Maine Unitarian Convention.
Reported for the Pres

hepcfteu ior the fress.
The Unitarian societies of Maine, by their
ministers and lay delegates, met this year at
Pennington, on the It'll, 9Th and 9th of July.
The first meeting on Tuesday the 7th inst.
was an informal social gathering, at the resi-
dence of Bro. NJ. Weston, pastor of the soci-
ETY. in Pennington. Here the most affection
ate and cordial welcome was extended to the
representations of the various Unitarian soci-
cites in the State.
The exercises of Wednesday commenced at
IL O'Clock, A. NJ, with prayer and con-
ference meeting This was followed by bust
ness meeting at 10 O'Clock, when Francis M.
Sabine, Esq, of Bangor, was elected President,
and Rev. j. f. Lowering, of Portland, Secre-
tary.
At 10 o'clock the Convention listened to
sermon on the text, st. John vi. AZ, by the
Rev. Mr.. Everett, Of Bangor. Aftcr the con-
clusion Of the religious services the Conven-
ton was called to order, and a committee al
ready chosen for that purpose reported the
following subject for the afternoon conference
Religion is not thought alone, or feeling
alone, but is action, character and life; and
the sphere of the religious life is commen-
surate with the whole sphere of human life /;
and whenever man is called upon to act at
all, either In his domestic and private, or his
public and civil capacity. he is bound to act
under the guidance and restrictions of Chris
tian principle, and whatever he does to do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Resolutions also were presented on the
times. Pending the adoption of the report
the meeting adjourned to meet at 2 o'clock
Pm.
The afternoon session was opened Mt 2
o'clock p. NJ, according to adjournment. Be-
fore the consideration of the report pending
in the morning, the Secretary moved that the
thanks OF the Convention be extended to Rev.
Mr.. Everett, of Bangor for the admirable and
eloquent discourse delivered this morning, and
that copy be requested for publication in the
Christian Inquirer.
The motion passed unanimously.
Rev. DR.. Palfrey then introduced, with well
chosen remarks, the subject proposed for the
consideration of the meeting. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. DIR. Wheeler, Rev. Mr.. Nichols,
Rev. Dr. Sheldon and Rev. Mr.. Swan.
The discussion was followed by the reading
Of the resolutions on the times, which were
unanimously adopted, and vote passed TO
transmit copy TO the President of the Unit
ed States. The preamble and resolutions were
as follows:
Whereas, in the present momentous crisis
In the affairs OF our country, when not merely
the precious legacy of liberty and self govern
ment bequeathed by our fathers is in peril, but
even our national existence, the members OF
this Convention do not wish to have their sem
timents doubtful, nor their position liable to
be misunderstood, therefore
Resoiued, That it is the duty of Christians,
''not only for wrath but also for conscience
sake" TO yield ready and cheerful obedience
to the powers that be as to powers ordained Of
God.
Resotred, That not as partisans, but as pa
triots, not as sectarians, but as Christians, We
pledge our aid and cooperation to the Gov
eminent of the United States and its regular
ly constituted authorities, in maintaining the
cause OF the Union and in suppressing the UNI
holy and causeless rebellion.
At the close OF the reading of the above
resolutions the surrender of vicksburg was
announced, and the announcement was re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic applause.
Remarks were then made by Rev. Mr.. Mich
OILS and by Rev. Mr.. Lowering. Rev. DIR.
Wheeler then introduced to the Convention
Miss Mary +. Merryman, who at his urgent
request and at the solicitation of the Conven-
ton, consented to give an account Of her es-
cape from the so-called Southern Confederacy.
In graceful, animated manner, in simple
but forcible language, Miss Merryman gave
brief narrative OF her annoyances while in the
South, and her difficulty in escaping from the
South; her life being more than once in dan
being Federal spy.
The afternoon session soon adjourned, after
passing vote of thanks to the several Railroad
Companies for their courtesy to the members
of this Convention, and a vote of thanks TO
the Pennington society for their kindness and
cordiality.
Adjourned to Z IL o'clock in the evening.
At the commencement of the evening servic-
es vote of thanks was passed to Miss Mer-
ryman for her interesting and instructive mar
rative of her personal adventures.
Religious services were then held. Rev. DIR.
Sheldon, of Waterville, delivered n very able
discourse on the force and meaning of the
term, Holy Spirit, and the value and import
ance of the Gin of the Holy Spirit, taking
for his text, Psalm H. IL.
After the discourse there was Holy Com
munion, Rev. DR.. Wheeler officiating.
The last gathering of the Convention was
on Thursday morning, at 7 1-2 o'clock. AZ
ter a brief season Of prayer and conference,
the Convention voted to adjourn to one year
from next Fall, the time and place of meeting
being given in charge of committee consist
ing of Rev. Drs. Palfrey and Wheeler, and
Rev. Mr.. Nichols, they being instructed to Sc
lect an annual preacher and substitute within
six months from date.
After farewell greeting of the Pennington
friends, and many expressions of thanks for
the kindness extended to them, the members
of the Convention separated
Filings.
To the Editor Of the Press: