The Portland daily press., 1866-07-02
Universalist Convention.

Universalist Convention.
Inc Annual State Convention of the ITni-
versalist body assembled at Auburn ON Tues-
day. The attendance, both of cIersvmen and
iaymen, was very large, and great interest per-
vaded the meetings. We condense from va
rious sources brief report of the proceed-
ings.
at the meeting for organization. Hon N n
nicnourn, of Stockton, was elected President.
n. Dresser, ESQ.,, of Auburn, Vice President.
hev. Giles Bailey, of Gardiner, Recordine
SSecretary; hev. M. j. Steere, Of lewiston
corresponding Secretary; Hon. L. +. Beal III
Norway, Treasurer; Rev. A. G.. Gaines of
Mechanic Falls, Occasional Preacher: Revs,
A. 9. Gaines, G. W. Quinby, E. G. Bolles w
X French and ID. I. Stevens, Committee ~
Fellowship and Discipline; Reys. w. p,
French, 9. Bailey, and A. Battles. and Hon
>. Perham, and Alfred Woodman, ESQ. Trns-
tees -99' AAuS-
AT III I-2 O'Clock, meeting was held in the
congregational church, when the Corresnond-
ing Secretary's report was read by Rev. M T
Steere, Of Lewiston. Rev. Mr.. Fletcher or
Bath, read report on the Sabbath Schools
connected with the denomination in tbo
state. The condition OF the Sabbath ScbooI
interest was represented as favorable and ON.
couraging.
Inc occasional Sermon was preached in
the afternoon by Rev. q Thompson. of west
Watervlle; and during the day and evening
sermons were preached at different churches
by the Rev. Mr. Bolles, of this city. and the
Rev. Mr.. Emerson, of Boston. editor of tba
Unioersaist.
A meeting held on Wednesday at the church
In Auburn was devoted to the interests of
denominational education. A report on the
condition OF Westbrook Seminary was made
by Rev. Mr.. French, of the Board of Trus-
tees
The school was shown to be in a flourisb-
ing condition, both financially and in the num-
Der of its pupils The property of the insti-
tuition amounts to nearly 100000, and s7OO
were needed to complete the $4,000 it had
be N proposed to raise, also $4,000 to erect a
new building to be called Hersey Hall. Bids
were made for the Westbrook stock. when the
s700 deficit in the old stock was secured. and
about the same amount for the Hersey Hall
fund. A large collection was also taken for
the benefit ofsuperannuated clergymen.
On Thursday the following delegates were
elected to attend the General Convention in
Galesburg, ILL.,, to be held In September next:
Rev. A. Battles, G. Bailey. j. G. Snow. and
l. M. Atwood, clerical; and Hon. A. d. Man
son, of Bangor, Alfred Woodman ESQ.,, of Port
land, Hon. A. @. Dennison, of Mechanics Falls.
Hon. Sidney Perham, of Paris, Hon. N. G.
Hichborn, of Stockton, j. A. Homan ESQ.,, of
Augusta, Hon. Ezra F. Beal. ofNorway. and
Hon. LII. Wadsworth lr., of Pembroke.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the
following series:
1st ResolUed That in view of the increase of
intemperance in our community, within the
few years last past, carrying in its wake a fear
ful train OF social, national and moral evils. wa
hailwith grateful joy the newly-awakened in
terest in the Temperance Reform which an
pears In various parts Of our State, snd we once
more renew our declarations of earnest sym-
pathy with the movement, and urge upon our
people the need of planting themselves upon
the principles of total abstinence from all in
toxicating drinks, and to lend their influence
IN suppresslng both by moral means and the
stern arm of the law, the tippling shops and
drinking saloons of our State.
I'd. ResoIred, That when we recall the events
OF the last five years in our land, the armed
ha
life OF the nation, carrying 250O00 of our ma
trlotic fellow citizens to their graves and filinp
our homes with weeping and lamenta ion and
Durdenlng our government with huge debt.
we deem any attempt at reconstruction abor-
tive, which. ignoring the crime of treason. Ir-
renders the political power OF our goyernment
into the hands of those who have sought its de-
struction, or overlooks the Fundamental nrinci-
pies of political justice as expressed in the
Declaration of Independence, by denving 10
he
of man. e"'7
Sd. Resotced That the glorious act of eman-
cipation BY which four millions of human be-
1ngs have been changed from the condition of
chattels to that of freemen, fills us with nro-
found JOY, at the same time that 1t imposes nm
on us the obligation of putting forth earnest az
deavors to lift them in the scale of ciyili1r,,o-
by helping to establish schools and ,en5;nl,,
teachers to them, who shall Lead sben ~ !pg
paths of light and knowledpc =" 'ne
4th. ResosUed, That the soidiers who lef, ~ -.
peaceful homes, and in the spirit of noble eir na
triotism went forth to the defence of tbp;.
country, are entitled to- and do have our bsaee..r
lest gratitude for their heroic acts and deeds -
self-sacrifce. We owe them a debt we can IN
never pay. We feel, also that those Who's
bodies are gloritied by the scars of their honor.
able warfare, and who have thus been disabled
for life, as well as the wives and children of
those who have laid their lives as a sacrifice
upon their country's altar, should receive the
deepest sympathy; and we call upon the towns.
citles and counties of our State, in which they
reside, to take such under their guardian care,
and show to them and the world that Republics
are not ungrateful.
All but the second were adopted by unani-
nous votes. Upon this lively discussion
arose. 1t was eloquently advocated by Rev.
Messrs Battle, Bolles, Emerson of Boston and
Others, and opposed by Rev. Mr.. Walcott of
Rumford. The yeas and nays were ordered,
and resulted in its adoption with but two
nays, those of Gen. Clark OF Turner, and Rev.
Mr.. Walcott
The usual votes Of thanks were then passed.
and the Convention adjourned, to meet next
year at Stockton.
At half past 10, the Congregational Church
was densely filed to listen to Rev. E. G.
Brooks of New York, formerly of Bath, while
at the same hour another congregation as
sembled in the Universalist Church, and lis
tened to a sermon from Rev. Mr.. Abbott of
Rockland.
In the afternoon Rev. Mr. Atwood of Port
land preached, and the communion ordinance
was observed. Another large meeting was
held in the evening, at the close of which a
parting hymn was sung and the congregation
Joined in repeating the LORDS Prayer. Thus
closed one of the largest and most satisfactory
Conventions ever held by the Denomination
in this State. &sS