The Portland daily press., 1868-10-12
8 S 8, EJal.arlan Oanseasiea.

In this BODY which was in session during
several days of last week, the discussions were
warm. and, some Of them at LEAST, Of more
rhan usual interest On Thursday afternoon
there was an excited debate involving an open
struggle between the two wings of the denom-
nation. 1t arose 10 this wise:
The Rev. james Freeman Clarke, as one, to
some degree in sympathy, with both sides, pre-
scented The following amendment to the con-
stitution:
ARTICLE 8. To secure the largest unity of
spirit and the widest practical cooDeratiou,
u Is hereby declared that all expressions III
this preamble and constitution are expressions
only OF the majority OF the Conference com
mlltng m no degree those who object 10 the .i
and dependin. wholly for their eiieot upon .ne
consent they command on ther oM u , nioiios
from the churches here repfeSt i'Vo " poi"'.-
longino within tbe circle oi ourteiioWshp, anu
that we heartily welcome to that fellowship
all who desire to work with Us in advancing
the kingdom {" Nou'
The Rev. Robert Colyer Of Chicago and the
Rev. f. L. Hale eloqueptly supported the
amendment, advocating complete freedom Of
thought for all who chose 10 connect them
selves with the Conference. These speakers
Were frequently interrupted by enthusiastic
applause, apparently from the majority of the
assembly.
The Rev. DIR. Osgood of New York, moved
an amendment that the words sin Christian
faith" be inserted between the words who"
and desire" He favored the greatest LIBERAL
ity in Christianity but did not desire liberality
that degenerates into free and unchrstian re-
hgon We had got to decide, he said, wheth-
er we were mere Theists or Christians.
Rev. Dir. Bellows took the platform and said
he was about to perform the most painful duty
OF his life, and from what appeared 10 be the
temper of the assembly he thought this might
be the last time he should have the pleasure OF
addressing his Unitarian brethren. He OPP
posed the amendment very st1 enuously, and
averred that TO adopt it would be bringing this
body over to infidelity. In effect it declared
that it was of no consequence whether men,
Der of it believed in Il e divine authority OF Je-
sGs Christ and historic Christianity OF not
He would not consent to be put by such ac-
ton out of his relation TO the Church. He
wanted his brethren TO see where they were
going, to go with their eyes open, and not to
cheat themselves or be cheated by any rose
water mush.
Rev. Mr.. Haywood of Louisiana, who ranks
as conservative, favored Mr. Osgood's emen-
dation, but with OF without that he should
vote for the amend ment as moved by MIR.
Clarke Rev. L. Laird Collier of Chicago
| said he was conservative of the conserva-
| tives in his belief in Christ; but he went fol
freedom and should Vote for the proposed
change. Several persons also spoke earnestly
in opposition.
The Rev. MIR. rockingham, President of the
| Free Religious Association, next got the floor
and defined his position clearly and calmly
He did not want to be tolerated, and asked no
favors. He came into the conference because he
had right to come. He claimed TO be Chris
tian; and his Church was represented here as a
| Christian Church. He maintained that his
! being the President of the Free Religious AS
ISOLATION had nothing TO do with his action
here. That was another and distinct organi-
zation. 1t did not profess to be Christian, bu
| religious. Its members were engaged in {
| work which others could not or would not do
| But he declared that if the amendment to tn,
| Constitution was not adopted, the young mel
of the Unitarian denomination would go into
the Free Religion.
The discussion, which lasted nearly foul
hours, was participated in by many speakers
At length the cry for the question became
| general and persistent. In the midst of much
excitement the Rev. Mr.. Hale proposed giving
new form to the amendment which was done
by emitting the latter portion welcoming any
body willing to labor for the progress of the
kingdom of God The vote on this was 326 in
the affirmative to Il in the negative.
The result of this contest between the Cor
thodox" and Radical" Unitarians, is that ev
erything rests in Statu quo ante beltaIn.