Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-04-14
UNITARIAN CONVENTION.

A convention OF ministers ana delegates OF
Unitarian churches to the number of five hun
bred or more, assembled at New York city last
week TO organize for work to meet the exigen-
cies of the times and the demands of the coun-
try. They came together not to define their
belief-not TO make creed for themselves or
others, but TO see how they could work more
effectually for the benefit of themselves and
mankind Rev. James F. Clark of Boston de-
livered forcibe and impressive sermon on
Tuesday evening, and Wednesday and Thurs
day the time was taken up in organizing, choos-
ing officers and laying out work. The purposes
of the organization were set forth in the follow
ing preamble to the constitution which was
adopted;-
Whereas, The great opportunities and de-
mands for Christian labor and conservation at
this lime increase our sense of the obligation
of all disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to
prove their faith by sell denial and by the de-
votion of their lives and possessions in The SER
vice of God and the building up of the kingdom
of his Son.
Therefore, The Christian churches of the
Unitarian faith here assembled unite themselves
in a common body to be known as the Nation
al Conference of Unitarian Churches, to the
end of recognizing and stimulating the de-
nomination with which they are connected to
the largest exerions in the cause OF Christian
faith and work.
After adopting constitution and bye-laws
the officers Of the conference were chosen,
namely-President, Vice Presidents, Secreta-
ries, and council of ten, half clergymen and
half laymen, who constitute working board
to carry out the designs of the conference
Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts, who
was presiding officer Of the convention, was
chosen President of the conference.
The purposes which the conference agreed to
carry out, so far as possible, were the placing
of Antioch College, in Ohio, on foundation
TO secure its healthful existence and its extern
sive usefulness in educating the youth of the
West; to lend aid and encouragement to the
Theological Schools at Cambridge, Mass, and
Meadville, Pa. to help forward the cause of
Sunday Schools; to establish paper worthy
the denomination and of the cause in which
they are engaged to publish and distribute
tracts and books, setting forth the principles
and spirit of Christianity, and the work devolv-
ing on the disciples of jesus TO send mission
res of the Gospel to he West and the South,
and in general TO help forward by every worthy
means in their power the "new civilization
upon which our country is now entering.
There was great degree of harmony in the
conference in regard to the objects to be aimed
at, and the work to be done, though in matters
of belief it was evident there was much diver
sity and wide differences. An effort was made
to have the conference adopt some articles Of
belief, constituting creed, and the discussion:
that arose on this point between the conserva
tives on the one hand and the radicals on the
other, were spicy and earnest. But the grea
majority of the conference was determined tc
which was to do the work that the times demand
and let each one make his own creed. Their,
were evidently present in the conference larg,
number of very earnest and able men, who arr
heartily devoted to the advancement of tn
cause of higher Christian civilization in thi
land. now entering upon new era in its histo
ny, and whose influence is on the side Of liber
ty, justice, and the naenable rights of man
On Thursday evening grand enter,oinmen
was given in the Music Hall, at which Pete
Cooper presided, and after the refreshment
were disposed of the vast assembly which file
all parts of that spacious hall, was addresse
by Gov Andrew of Massachusetts, DIR. Gannei
of Boston, VIM. G. Bryant of New York, Dl
Elliot of St. Louis, Hon. Thomas d. Elliot {
New Bedford, Mass, and othersi and the de
egates went home well satisfied, so far as W
could judge, with the work they had accom-
plished and their program for future opera
tons.