The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-05
Religious Intelligen ce.

The New England Universalist Conference
has been in session this week in Springfield
Mass. This convention, an informal one, had
for its object free and mutual consultation for
greater efficiency and larger practical useful
ness. The organization is temporary, for this
meeting only, and contemplates no permanent.
existence for the future. Rev. E. c.. Boles of
this city preached the opening sermon, and
the time was mainly occupied with the discus
sion OF various questions relating to Christian
work ana The best methods of increasing its
efficiency. On thursday the Rev. E. H. Cha
pin was present. and spoke earnestly in sup
port of the objects of the convention which
seem to have been to advance the general in
terests of the denomination.
The leading Jewish ministers of Philadel-
phia, have united in publishing a protest
against Governor Geary's Thanksgiving pro-
clamatisn as an Offence against liberty of con-
science unbecoming public tunctioDary, and
disgusting to the honor of the noble State he
represents" They are offended at the Govern
or's recommendation to the people "to pray
that their paths through lie may be directed
by the example and instructions of the Re-
deemer, who died that they might enjoy the
blessings" etc.
"A revival of religion has been in progress
for the past two weeks at Emory and Henry
College, Virginia. There have been about
sixty conversions Out of one hundred and
eighty students, one hundred are professors of
religion.
The Young Mems Christian Association
which has just closed its session in St. Louis,
discussed the question, "Why do so many
churches fail to reach the poor?" They came
somewhat near to true solution of the ques-
ton when they resolved that it was because
''the pastors, officers and members are too sell
fish in the enjoyment of their religion, and
have too little love for souls"
--Thf clergymen of New York city still con-
tinue their animated discussion of the ques-
ton SIS Professionalism q Falure?" The Rev.
DR.. Northrup last Sunday preached strongly
against the position taken by DR.. Ever, and
made very good point when he said that but
for Professionalism DIR. Ever would not have
been tolerated in the freedom of utterance
about Catholicity which had characterized his
discourses.
The religious world is again called upon
to agitate itself in respect to the question
whether the N. Y. Independent is an evan
gelical paper. Two cards, signed by various
clergymen, appear in the Chicago Tribune,
declares that the promise of evangelical
editing of the Independent has not been full
filed. Communications on both sides have
appeared, and there has been no positive edi-
torial advocacy of the truth as it is evangeli-
cally held We also learn that Mr.. Tilton the
-. zl.s hos. IT.
casion to suspect the existence in his mind of
any defined system, or of any we'll considered
convictions" In affirming the possibility of
a religion without theology" he has demon
strated his unftness "to act as a religious
teacher" and he has "never claimed to be q
metaphysician or theologian." And yet, des-
pite all these drawbacks, Mr.. Bowen, the pub
Usher, has actually leased Mr.. Tlton the edito-
rial chair of the paper for five years, with only
the condition that he shall not insert anything
in it inconsistent with the creed of the Ply
mouth Church, And these gentlemen take
exceptions to this business contract, because
I'VE are not informed" as to who is the umpire
or prosecuting officer in the case of violation
Whereupon Mr. Tilton denies the right of
everybody-in general to edit his paper for
hiih Va oiSeaoO It's Souloo, anu utCldTeS lIldU ne
is bound only by the terms of his private ar
rangement with Mr. Bowen, the sole publish
--er-of- the paper. Complaint is also made
against Mr.. Oliver Johnson, the managing ea-
itor. He is said to be a"Progressive Friend"
and prominent in the conclaves of the Free
Religionists," although it is admitted that he
inserts no such sentiments in the Independ-
emit. To outsiders the whole dispute appears
somewhat groundless. If there are any read
ers of the Independent to whom it does not
appear othodox they are under no obligation
to read it or to subscribe for it, The Chicago
Advance was started for precisely such class
as they belong to, and if the New York paper
fails to furnish them with a pabulun slffi-
GENTLY evangelical they should turn to its
more orthodox western rival
"A Baptist church of tweuty.three mem
bers was organized at South Robinston, De-
cember LIST, the fruit in part of Rev. E. Turn
er's labors there during the past three years.
Others are awaiting baptism. Their house of
worship now completed and clear of debt was
also dedicated. They are hopeful Of the ftl-
ture