The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-07
CONFERENCE OF UNITARIAN CHURCHES.

Introductory to the National Conference OF Unita-
rian churches be held this week In this city was
an opening sermon, preaehed BY Dr.. Bellows lass
evening In Dr. Osgood's church, corner OF Park ave-
and Thirty fourth street. The large church was
densely crowded. On the platform fronting the pull
pit were several Of the most prominent Unitarian
clergymen Of our country, In attendance upon The
Conference. Rev. DR.. Usgood conducted the prelim-
mary exercises, which were interspersed with the
singing OF several set pieces by the choir and which
were most exqusitey executed.
DR.. Bellows took as the basis of his discourse
the text Ephesians vi, nineteenth and twcnty-nrst
inclusive. lie proposed TO speak OF the posi-
tendency OF the times was to find common key to
religious belief and development. There was .
Strong Pre- sre not II favor And yet the d
terence in religious sects was tending TO unity a.
well as union u y true some were 10 ,antagon.sm,
fore the influence OF liberal sentiment ne
then proceeded to speak OF the Unitarian Church
country He did not claim that they were the only
true Church the best Church; but he claimed ior
them generous, Christian liberality OF sentiment
organizations. There were general principles OF
agreement which united. or rather should unite,
those OF different denominations. lie was glad, Tor
instance, that clergymen and members OF other
Christian churches had been invited TO attend their
present conference This was rs 1t should be- This
was carrying out the great Fundamental principles
OF christianity Presbyterians, Methodisls BapIsts
lions can and should work together for the spread
OF Christian faith for the salvation OF Sinners
The Unitarian Church always had been and was now
anxious to be a cooper ator with all the Christian
sects holding the same fundamental principles az
Me e. ,S 70 ceetyv e fse ana
genera ion ago, when the first Unitarian association
was formed In Massachusetts, those OF higher intel
lectua culture and literary tastes were its members
Since then there had been growing disposition as
| well as termination TO make more popular and
democrat ic their Church. TIE result has been most
| gratifying ana with this result they had acquired
additional growth and strength lie did not coin
Ca Cav s" dead, 1 rrnaranism sa thing Of the
past and Luthe ran sm an ancient myth. Truth
here was was grea Hs ne n
\ on Christian churches in the present condition Of
anars, not III this country alone, but elsewhere lie
this country and over great extent OF territory in
other countries, and the moral and religious condi-
LlOn OF the people he met he had carefully studied.
lie spoke at length Of the deep foorhold being at
| tanned everywhere by the Roman Catholic Church.
tagonlst-an antagonist full OF ZEAL devotion, per-
sistency. There seemed no limit TO Its In
INIT Nv was rn not to be Smbatea By
termined purpose: The spirit OF orthodoxy must
liberalize iisel to light this foe Dogmatic andac ty
anu the intensity OF their dOgmatism were the great
obstacles in the way OF orthodoxy. The Pope's pro-
nunctamento OF the immaculate Conception, and all
the bgotry OF the Ronish Church, were not half SO
dangerous and not half opposed TO the Christian
light OF the nineteenth century. Revering TO the
Unitarian Church as a distinctive church organiza-
ton, he claimed for 1t that IL had itself up as
new church They believed in the broa,iest, most
liberal Christ anty. Upon the great tradition of the
New Testament and the historic church they were
founded. The aim and duties of this Church was the
concluding theme OF his discourse Their great aim
was to do good as good Christians, and this COW
cred the broadcast field OF Christian eLort. They
meant to be Christians and they Thought
they were. They were deceived; but this did
not make them what their enemies would make
them out to be- They desired TO keep their platform
broad. They would not cut or or exclude any who
would work with them. Their present platform
they would keep and maintain, and therein Keep and
maintain their distinctive Christian organization.
II they seem 10 trample upon the faith OF a few and
exclude by dennitiye, IL Is their necessity. In
conclusion he urged that great opportunity Law
before them Tor good, an opportunity TO open wider
their doors TO those outside the pale OF their church.
an opportunity TO make themselves great Christian
power I'm the land.
The sermon, which lasted considerably over an
hour, listened to with earnest and undivided at.
tention. Singing and benediction closed the ex.
orc