New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-01
NATIONAL UNITARIAN CONvEN-
TON.


summoned to meet in this city on Wednesday,
the Fifth Of April, if forbidden by the spirit and
usages of that religious body to assume the char
acter of grand Gcumenical council, will still
present an occasion of no common interest to the
friends of free, progressive thought as well as
to the lover of conservative ecclesiastical instltu-
tons. 1t is understood that some two hundred
churches of the Unitarian faith are TO be repre-
scented by their ministers and delegates in the
Convention, and with the high standard Of edu-
cation and intelligence that prevails in that de-
nomination, the number will necessarily CON-
prise many prominent individuals in different
walks Of life embodyng perhaps even a more
striking degree OF talent, cultivation, and
social influence than is uSual in the
great ecclesiastical gatherings # this ooun-
try. The State Of Massachusetts, in which
what is commonly termed "Libe-al Christian
ity," has much stronger hold On the public
mind than elsewhere, we learn. will be repre-
sented in the Convention by several Of her most
eminent citizens, whose weight ofcharacter and
high social distinction would give importance
and dignity to any deliberatiye assembly Of
which they were members. Nor are conspicu-
GUS and able men wanting on the list Of dele
gates from our own immediate vic nifty. "a well
as from more remote quarters. promising TO rem
der the occasion one of high intellectual no less
than of religious interest.
The assembling Of this Convention forms a
landmark of considerable significance in the
ecclesiastical history of New.Yoik. 1t wants
only four years of half n century since the first
sermon was preached in this city before an audi
ence Of proscssed Unitarians. This was deliy-
cred in private housc by the eloquent DR..
Charming of Boston, in the month of April,
1919, and in the following May large and
deeply interested congregation was assembled
in the Hall of the Medical College in Barcay-st.
to listen to his bold and novel expo,tions of
Christian doctrine. The First Unitarian Church
in New-York was dedicated in January, l-2l,
and the Third, under the pastoral care OF the
Rev. o. l.. rockingham, on Christmas Day
l-Gi Since the sporadic development Of the
Unitarian hercsy among ourselves, lis progress
has been gradual and irregular, never with the
character of mighty rushing wind. or the
fiery tongues of Pcntccost, but silently pervad'
ing a larger mass of the religious community
than those by whom II is openly avowed. and
perhaps, not without a secret, genial influence
in tempcring the feryors OF scc,arian
zeal and instilling a kindly spirit OF
moderation and charity. The meeting Of the
Convention may certainly be regarded a sign
of progress in the fortunes of the denomination.
This throwing of the log will Indicate that the
ship has sailed prosperously on, in spite of oc-
casonal winds and storms, cebergs, as il il
said, in constant dangerous proximity, and fire.
quent Gains.
The internal condition Of the Unitarian
Church in this country will enhance the i'll.
tcrest of the Convention. 1t has not
escaped the operation Of the spiritual trial
balance which in every leading sect has ar
ranged conflicting tendencies on opposite sides.
The elements of conservatism and radicalsm
have found battle-ground even in the bosom
of the denomination, whose original watchword
was freedom of thought, and with which faith
and hope have been always held Of less account
than charity. Whether any questions OF
"heresy and schism" are to be ventilated in
this sanhedrim of proverbial hcretics and
schismatics, we have not yet been informed !;
but we learn that it will include on its platform
the leaders of both ecclesiastical directions; the
nfallible divines and professors Of quarter of "A
century since who thought the construction of
"A creed essential to tho soundncss Of the
Church will have their lineal successors in this
council of liberals while the stalwart spiritual
children of the brave old iconoclast Theodore
Parker, will form dominant power, if not an
actual majority, in the deliberations of the
branch of the church militant now called TO the
'front.' The admission, without question, of
these audacious nnovators, is another instance
of building the tombs of the prophets who
during their life were stoned without stint. We
trust, however, that no disastrous collision will
result from the meeting Of these Antagonist
forces. II is to be hoped that they may elm
prove" the occasion TO bury the Ratchet, and to
smoke the pipe of peace.
One feature in the Unitarian body cannot fail
to kindle sympathy with the Convention. Of all
religious sccts, none has been more loyal,
more devoted to the cause Of freedom more
lavish of the costiest treasures in behalf Of the
Union. The beauty of their Israel has been
slain on the high places; the most precious
blood of their youth has been poured out like
water; among the bravest and best who have