The Portland daily press., 1865-06-30
Ths universalist State Convention.

yet terday morning, Dut as nave not the HSt
of officers before me am unable to commu-
nicate their names. The usual routine bust
ness mas been transacted, and some special
business of much Importance to the interests
OF the denomination.
Yesterday forenoon the Occasional or Con-
ventioual Sermon was preached by Rev. J. G.
Snow of Auburn. 1t was upon the impor-
lance Of the Missionary enterprise, especially
ia view of the new condition OF the country,
since door heretofore sealed has been open
ed in the South for the education and uplifting
Of the masses Of the people, more especially
of that large but depressed and hitherto or
pressed class who have till now, for two hun
dred years, been held ir servitude, and who
have been barred by the local laws of the
land from receiving even that amount of in
struction which would enable them to read
the Lords Prayer, or the will of God concern
ing them.
The sermon was noble effort in the right
direction, and its general approval Is an indi
cation that this large, wealthy and Influential
denomination Of Christians is determined to
assume high grounds in relation to the great
humanitarian and progressive demands of the
age. i vi ~ oil AL
In the afternoon the subject of general edu-
cation was considered, and particularly the
interests and demands of the Westbrook Sem
mary. There was no serm IN or formal report
upon the subject, but short, spirit stirring ad-
dresses were made by several gentlemen from
different parts of the State. These were
Revs Messrs. French of Turner, Quinby Of
Augusta, Fletcher OF Bath, and Messrs. Per-
ham Of Paris, Hichborn or Stockton, Hersey
of Bangor and Washburn of Portland. Some
OF these addresses were equal to any off hand
efforts we have ever heard, all of them taking
hold Of the subject on its merits and urging
the great Importance of paving the way for
elevated Christian character by laying deep
and permanently the foundation in intelli-
gence, and in the cultivation Of the intellectu-
al and moral faculties. Gen. Hersey has al
ready subscribed 81 900 towards the $4,000
now being raised for Westbrrok to secure the
grant from the State, and he proposes, If the
denomination will relieve him from this one
| thousand subscription, and will raise the sum
of $4,000, that he will, in addition to the
$4,000 from the State, make an individual be-
quest of 5000. If this is done a gentleman
OF Massachusetts promises an additional be-
quest at $4,000, which will afford the means
Of expanding some $4,000 for the improve.
ment of the Seminary building and grounds,
and provide fund of about $4,000 for the
institution. 1t is intended that Westbrook
Seminary shall occupy the first rank among
similar institutions in New England. g~F
Last evening very able sermon was preach
ed By Rev. L. ]. Fletcher of Bath, at the close
of which, after brief but pungent appeal
from Rev. MIR. Battles Of Bangor, very lib
eral collection was taken up for the benefit Of
needy clergymen of the denomination in the
State.
This forenoon Rev. w. A. Drew, Of Angus
ia, presented resolution In naenaoriam, re-
lating 70 the, recent death of Rev. CALVIN
GARDNER, who had labored nearly forty years
in the ministry of the denomination, and for
twenty years as pastor Of the Universalist
Church in Watervilie. Mr.. Drew accompani-
ed his resolve by remarks that showed how
deeply the memory Of his former brother and
yokefellow was cherished in his heart, and
which did not fail to bring the tear of sympa-
thy into many an eye. 4t&A-4
The following gentlemen were appointed a
Committee on the state Of the country, to
wit: Hon. A. d. Manson, of Bangor, Hon. N.
G. Hichborn, of Stockton, Rev. Zenas Thomp-
son, of North Auburn, Rev. George w. Quin-
by, Of Augusta, and Hon. Sidney Perham, of
Paris. By the courtesy Of a member of this
Committee l am permitted to send you the
following, in the form in which they were re-
ported to the Convention at its opening ses-
sion this morning, and after brief discussion
unanimously adopted.
RESOLUTIONS
/. ResoIved, That we rejoice in the suppress
sion Of the rebellion, the restoration of peace,
the extinction of slavery, the renewed pledges
OF perpetual union, and in the hope that Wis
dom and justice, and the fundamental ideas of
the Declaration of Independence will SO prevail,
that hencef0rth in this nation, ne distinction Of
class, race or color shall be known before the
law. Rs asa gss8g
| 2. ResoLUed, That we remember with graft
| tude and admiration the character and labors of
thelate Chief Magistrate of the United States,
the lamented ABRAHAM LINCOLN, his patriotism,
| frmness, patience and love so signallv displayed
IN his efforts to guide the nation safely
through the perilous times of his administra-
ton, and to blot out forever the cause of the ma
ton calamities, all blending in character and
name that will live forever in the memory of the
| just, and of the millions of bondmen whose
] chains have been stricken of.
3. Resolved, That we have entire confidence
| 10 the purity, patriotism and wisdom of ANDREW
| JOHNSON, now President of the United States,
believing him to be well qualified to finish the
work SO well begun by his ilustrious predecessor,
and that we extend TO him our unqualified SYM
| patty IN his great responsibilities, and in his
undoubted purpose to secure ultimate equality
the law of all colors and conditions of
men, assuring him that we shall ever pray that
Heaven may watch over and bless him and The
work of his hands, till it be well and truly
| done. 100 y eBsS49 Afa81&Ra1
Two other resolutions were passed in con-
nection with the above, but failed to secure
a copy. The first related to Gthe gallant Off
GERS and men In our army and navy, who 50
promptly laid their lives upon their country's
altar to protect its flag, to uphold its honor
and to defend its free institutions, rendering
coincidence to the friends of the noble dead
whose memory will be held in everlasting re-
membranes, and sympathy to the living who
have returned or win return home to resume
their places in the walks Of civil life; and the
second appropriately recognized the fact that
over and above and underlying all human
agencies and instrumentalities, the hand of
Divine Providence has guided and shaped the
Issues Of the great struggle through which
the nation has passed, re establishing the
foundations of the republic on the eternal
principles of truth and justice, melting the
chains from the bondman, and giving to hui
mainly its great upward tendency.
The business OF the Convention was closed
about ten O'Clock, nothing but harmony and