Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-06-29
LIBERAL SERMON IN THE OPERA
HOUSE,

LIBERAL SERMON IN the OPERA
HOUSE,
Dv Rer. RoAs. Laird C0li6sr.
a l.aheral Church so ~ Orxan.
ixed.
Great Interest Manifested In the
Movement.
Az announced, the Rev. Robert Laird
Collier, Of Chicago. preached to large and
appreciAtivs audience yesterday in the Bur.
It's Opera House. Probably no new reli-
gious movement ever met with such favor
Of ~ large an audience ever assembled 10
this city for such purpose, ~ that sf yes
terday. There are injlhis city large mum
Der Of our most Influential citizens. Of chris.
tian character, members Of churches and
otherwise, who are daring to think foI
themselves In religious matters, and who
will give this movement their hearty sup
| port, at least, such were the indications yes
terdsy. There has been desire on The
part Of many for seus time pest to organ
iae . Liberal church, but this 10 the frst
| veil directed effort that has been made.
Dr.. Cellisr has changed greatly since he
lefs this city, not snly in religious views.
but in style and manner u prsssasing
his sukjset. He speaks with Q
ssbdssd sassosnsA. and presents
his subjects in . clear isscibls man.
nsr, with words Of NO squitssal osaniss.
Or wish uystifying figures Of Rhstssie.: but
plain aad straisht forward. b. strikes ths
hey ots Of popular feeling, upsstsins old
theories aud ovsfturniug old dogmas and
erseds. Bread and liberal 10 his views,
granting 10 others what ho claims for him.
sslf, be sAkss The Bible = record Of inspi-
ration and not an inspired REGARD. He
reads it in the. light of reason and judge.
msnt and intsfprsts IL with common
sense.
The sermon yesterday afternoon wss
purely destrinal. but meme the less interest.
ing. lie tosk for his subject, "7hs erssd q
the LIBERAL Church." spsskisg from the
text Making the word Of mono sffse,
through tradition" Mark u: IS.
lie spoke for about an hour during which
time he held the undivided attention Of the
audience. Some there were whs were
startled BY the boldnsss Of his assertions,
and were no doubt surprised At the plain.
ness Of his words, but he spoke % one
who had tested the faith that was in him,
and knew whsrs-ofhs affirmed. We will
not attempt review Of the sermon q
only rrDatsm report would do it justice
Sufficient 10 il to cay, that being doctrin-
81 sermon, he gave . brief expedition oi
the prinsiplsa;of Liberal christians - con.
trastsd with these who follow The tsnsta
and subscribe to the cresds Of the sstab
lished churches.
At the close Of the services, by request
Of several present, he saneunssd that b
would preach again in the evening. 1hil
announcement was received With evident
| satisfaction BY oil present.
At 8 o'clock the Opera House Was again
filled to ovsraswiae. The :ssrmon was sn.
tirsly different from that Of the aitssnoes,
yet some the LEES powerful end effective
The subject was the " Noblansss Of Truth, .
-ths tsxs being. "And ye sAsu know IL.
truth, Il. trSth shall msas yes FREE" John
IS.3a.
After the service an invitation was extend
Cd to all who were interested in having q
Liberal Christian Church organized in
Davenport to remain and talk the matter
over and take such preliminary steps as
might be deemed necessary. Over half the
audience availsd themselves Of the invita-
ton and remained in their seats.
On motion, Judge A. H. Bennett was
called to The chair, and Mr. II. Darlington
app pointed Secretary.
Mr.. Bonnets expressed himself in favor
Of the movement and a. willing to assist in
erganizing, and max ing such . church efFec
tive. lie was aware that many might diff
view, it vas . dissrsdit to . city Of this
sizs aud snlig ghtenlnent net to have such Or
Organization.
10 arrive 1t . sense Of the meeting. Dr.
Bsssews moved thai Libsral Church bt
| organized. which motion, by vote prevailed
Having decided 10 take such step. h,
next question was how 70 get 81 it, Dr.
Collier made some few remarks thereto,
and offered a. suggestions the follwing u.
l ticlss - bssis t. oct upon:
rIRsr LiBaRAL cHsisriAN cHuRca o. DAvKx
FORT.
l. Tue objects Of this organization as,
The study and practice " christianity a,
! each psrs0n connected aith it may tut er
] pret and uaasssaand it.
:. ANY persou may baceoAs 0ssnbsr o
this church whe declares himself to Be ID
syopstAy with lie spirit asd objects.
3. The historic christian rites shall b
maintained in the church, and Cd red q
such persons % shall deem them helpful q
their religious life.
:. All matters Of secular import ehsll bs
submitted to The care Of beard Of 0vs trus
tees. to be elected annually BY the mon
bsrs Of The church. whose names At the lin,
ere, BY psrscnal request, recorded In reg
lister kept for that purpose.
Those are sufficiently broad to suit d,
most liberal, and contain no bars that uset
letting down. Papers were circulatst
through the audience for the signatures .
those who were favorable to the organiza
tion upon tbis b,sis, and Who we're willinl
to assist in the mattss
Sixty-thrss samss Of ladies and gsatls
men were ct once s;sssd 70 the papers
among whom we're sens Of our most prom
insnt citiEsns. This seemed to convince al
that the movement vas bound to succeed
j A committee Of Ave were appsintsd !
canvass the matter Of srganisatieo, and q
port at an adisurnsd msstiss 70 bs held Il
the Open Heuss % Tuesday svssing ssxl
The following named ssstlsosa eenstitut
thas sommittss: n. DArliagtsa, Joha 0al
liean, A. Kimball, ". A. Rsmineteu. ~,