The Portland daily press., 1868-01-25
Religious Intelligence.

During anniversary week in Boston last
Spring Getting was held in horticultural
Hall, to consider the condition, wants, and
prospects of freesreligion in America" the prac
tical result of which was the formation of a
Free Religious Association " to promote the
interests of pure religion, to encourage the
scientific study of theology, and to increase
fellowship in the spirit" At this meeting the
question. earnestly eanvassed was, What shall
be done to SECURE and promote that progress
of liberty in religion to which even Unitarian.
ism has finally set limit as really sectarian
and illiberal as any Of the limits set by other
and narrower sects? 1t was agreed by all the
extreme liberals that the new ecclesiastical
machinery. of Unitarianism should be severely
let alone. Messrs. Emerson, Higginson,
Weiss, WATSON, Abbott, Robert Dale Owen,
and Others, m AIDE addresses. A circular Just
issued by the Executive Committee of the
Free Religious Association, invites the friends
of the cause to send contributions to the Rev.
w. j. Potter, Secretary, New Bedford, Mass,
or to R. p. Hallowell Treasurer, No 98 Fed
eral street, Boston; these funds to be used for
the publication of essays and discourses, set
ring forth liberal, rational and practical vie VS.
of religion" The real breadth of this Associ
alton is not as yet indicated fully in its work
ing. 1t really invites CO. operation from lovers
of liberty OF every creed. The Romanist, the
Calvinist, the Jew, the Infdel, can meet on
the platform of this Association, provided the
creed of each is matter with each of free
conviction open to free discussion. The as
sumption of those who have formed this Assoc
citation is not that churches of all sorts should
not exist as they may find members, but that
the fellowship of mere humanity should be
recognized as the outer court of religion
Those members of the various seets who are
willing to work for religion outside of their
church and creed, on the platform of simple
human brotherhood, recognizing the eqnal
rights OF all men OF character and ability, with
out respect to do2mas or communion, cnn Join
III the work of the FREQ Religious Association.
: The First Baptist chu.ch of this city will
observe the Semi-Centennial anniyers ary OF
Its organization, By Il series of services suit
able to the occasion. A meeting will be held
this evening which will be conducted by Rev.
Thomas B. Ripley OF Portland, VINO was set
tied as the first pastor nearly forty years ago.
by Rev. Adam Wilson, D. D., who was settled
here thirty years ago, and ON Sunday after
noon, the sermon will bs by Rev. L, L. CaId-
well, D., of Providence, r. l., who was the
pastor from 1916 to 1853. On Sunda, even
ing, the historical sermon will be preached by
the present pastor, Rev. Mr.. Small.
The Paris correspondent of the Pail Mall
Gazette writes: son New Years Day. at two
o'clock, the disciples of Auguste Comte in
Paris met in gloomy little apartment, viii III
their master inhabited and sanetifed, on the
second floor of No. 10 Rue Monsieur lie Prince.
near the Luxemburg Gardens, to celebrate in
common the annual ceremony of the worship Of
Abstract Humanity. The congregation con-
sisted of about forty to fifty persons, Including
five ladies. The High Priest, the learned and
eloquent Monsieur Lafitte Director du Posi-
tivisme, delivered an address. He congratu-
lated his friends on the progress the good cause
had made; lie reminded them of their mission
airy duties, he urged them to persevere, and
entreated Of them not to be faint-hearted or to
lear the numerous opponents of the positive
philosophy. Periodical meetings for religious
purposes, he maintained, were absolutely nee
essary; the human emotions were awakened
py 'he stimulating effects of combined action;
i Il. MI. oongreye, he hoped the time was not
INSTANT When the pestyist ceremonies would
10 ceieDfated In suitable edifices, with all the
necessary accompaniments of every worship
music, painting and sculpture" .t.,- .',,-
-7-A dispatch from Wilmington, Del, dated
the 28d, says; Grace Church. the finest Meth
odist church in this country and probably in
the world, was dedicated to-day. Bishops
Simpson, Ames and Scott and many ministers
We're present. II has been over two wears in
building and cost upwards of 100000. 1t is
presented to the church at large as centen-
nary Offering.