Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-16
stretching his long neck over the newspaper,
distinctly read as follows:-
THREE GRAND MISTAKES.
YdAGndigham
woodward.
Nc CYeHanS Letter.
Hartford Press.


UNITARIAN AUTUMNAL conference.-the
annual meeting OF this body of Christians,
which has been in session at Springfield the
present week, dissolved yesterday at noon.
It's sessions have been among the fullest ever
held, and their interest was unabated from the
beginning. The opening sermon was preached
By Rev. Edward L. Hale of Boston, from the
text:
"Whosoevsr spcaketh word against the Son of
Man. it shall be forgiven him: but whatsoever speak.
eth against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven
him"
On Wednesday morning, Rev. DIR. Hosmer
of Buffalo was announced as the chairman of
the convention, with Judge Chaplin of Wor-
cester and Rev. DIR. Farley of Brookfield as
vice presidents. Rev. George Rice of West
ford and Rev. C. G. Locke Of West Dedham
were appointed secretaries. Rev. DIR. Hos
mer made brief but pertinent address, and
then gave an intermissiOn of ten minutes,
to allow those present ''to look into one an
others faces" The first exercise OF the con-
vention was the reading of an essay by Chas
Elliot Norton, Esq, of Cambridge, on Gamer
lean ideas applied to Religion and Politics"
Mr.. Norton said The liberal christian is a
liberal in politics. The man who is an Amer
lean not merely by birth but by confidence in
American principles, is necessarily IA liberal
christian. He may be hampered by creeds
and ancient errors, but in SO far us he is
American he is free in his religion. The Pc
culiarity of Unitarianism is that it is not a
sect, but a protest against sectarian-
ism. The subject suggested by the essay
was the topic of interesting discussion in
which Rev. DIR. Osgood Rev. James Freeman
Clarke, Rev. Mr. Staples Of Brooklyn, Rev.
Mr.. Scandlin Of Grafton, Rev. DIR. Stebbins
of Woburn and several others, eminent in the
denomination, took part. This discussion
having dritted into tine consideration of nation
al topics, Rev. DR.. Hill of Worcester, pre-
scented the following resolutions. They were
heartily and eloquently seconded by Rev.
DR.. Farley OF Brooklyn, and unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, individuals and ecclesiastical bodies
have, at different times and in different places pub
lished opinions on the duties OF religious that
have served to awaken doubt in the minds of the
conscientious and weaken the hands of the govern
ment, therefore
Resolved, by members of the Unitarian BODY as.
sembied in convention i'll Springfield, Mass, that
render to the president OF the United States our
sympathy and Onr prayers in this great day of tue
country's peril and of his responsibility, that while
as christians we are peaceakers, and labor for the
spread Gfpeace, we cheerfully offer our own lives
and that OF our children for the perled life of the
nation; that while we owe allegiance to the consti-
tuted authorities at all times, we hold it now when
treason and rebellion are abroad, especial duty
by word and at TO express it, and that while the
privilege OF individual freedom is vouchsafed ALL
irrespective OF color, as religions right sanctioned
by the spirit and letter of the scriptures, cannot
refrain from the expression OF satisfaction at
the proclamation OF freedom by the chief ma gis-
trate to millions now in bondage, and the indu-
gence of the hope that the tremendous scenes
through which we passing, will result in the lib.
erty and christian progress of all.
The evening session was devoted to SER
mon by Rev. o. b. rockingham, who preach
ed an eloquent discourse on ..Natnral r4lini...,
its creed, its worship, and its lite" The col
lation was spread at the City Hall, Wednes.
day evening, and the convention ON Thursday
morning after listening TO an essay by Rev.
James Freeman Clarke on "Optimism," and
a brief discussion on the topics he suggested,
dissolved.