New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-21

Boston, Jan. 10, 1868
Readers of the THE TRIBUNE will, perhaps
remember that prominent feature Of anniversary week
I'm Boston last Spring, meeting held IN HorueuI-
tura Hall "O consider the condition, wants, and pros
poets OF free gon in America" "a hronged ana en-
thusastc meeting. the practical result Of which was he
formation Of Free Religious Association =" to promote
the interest pure religion, to the scenthc
study of theology, aud to increase fellowship III the
spirit" Previous to this public meeting there had been
several private conferences OF liberal thinkers e earn
lest OF which was called by the Rev. Dr. BhrtoL upo"
the suggestion OF the Rev Edward C. Towne the former
one OF the most eminent and most liberal OF the oue
ministers Of Unitarianlsn the latter one OF the most
cal among the younger men IN the hoeral PuI'' -
question earnestly canvassed In these gaIheinsS va"
What shall be done 10 secure ara promote tiN'
progress of liberty in religion to which even Ohtarla
has finally set limit as really sectarian ana hhOe:h as
any the limits set by other and narrower ecst IL was
agreed by all the extreme liberals That the ne" eecesaS
teal machinery Of Unitarianism should be severely let
alone The more moderate radicals inclined to keep
hold of their places the old organization, while joining
also an outside movement portion Of those who de-
cared against the old organization with its sectaran
machinery confessed their dislike OF all machinery OF or
Canization Three however, Of these thorough radicals
young men, pledged themselves to each other to leave no
stone unturned TO put into the field efficient working
organization the object Of which should be TO promote
free religion They Potter Abbot and Towne; the
first minister of strong liberal society in NewBed
ford, and a of unusual character and AFFINITY
the second Fpastor at Dover, N H., and one OF the
obest thinkers and most pure and earnest spirits among
the rising young men Of the country Tbs seIleohs
tinted committee made draft of constitution, the same
afterwards adopted for the Free Religious ASSOCIATION
and then issued call signed also by O. r. frotmngna
and John Weiss for larger private conference AT the resi-
dence OF DT. BartOl, in Boston some 50 persons nv IN
response to this call and after discussion marhSu IA
singular inspirations was voted that committee sHOuu
he named 70 call general public meeting OF tne IlenuS
OF Free Religion Tho very great interest nahiieSteu
he Of
by the formation of the Association already referred TO-
hailed by the movers in the matter as most graf
flying indication that the time for a new departure
from old limits had indeed arrived Emerson, higgil i
son. Weiss WATSON. Abbott Robert Daie Owen', anu
Others, made addresses which may DC tounu ,,d ~
report printed BY Adams Co. Boston the F GtS R
igOus Association invites the friends OF the cause 70
SewBedford Mass or to r. p Hallowell. Treasurer No
ps Federas. Boston these funds to be used 9 9
nubcaon of essays and dscOurses, setting forth LIBERAL
RATIONAL and practical views Of religion contll3uto
of 81 annually makes the contributor Young eGiep %
not as vet indicated fully IN its working simply because
radicals soeaed have alone lepeseu Of uhcTtv o
every creed The ROmanst. the Calvinst the jew me
Infdel can the platform OF tins Association
provided the creed Of each Is matter WITH each
Of free conviction, open 10 Lee t u,sCuS'i M
The assumption of the radicals who have formed ths
Association is not that churches OF al sorts shoud not
exist they may find members Dut hat lne ,
of humanity should be recosHzeu as tno o. as
court OF religion Those members OF the various eScis
who are willing 70 WORK LOT tengon imnie human
brotherhood. recognizing the equal rights OIL al men vi
y.
nion can oin i'm the work of the Free Religious AssO
citation. Its conventions and publications may become
schools where the only demands snail he for ability can
dor and the sincere love OF truth The Executive COM
lttee OF the Association will soon show what sort oI
work they propose if they succeed IN obtaining inq 70
work with. Az present there are considerable t
want of faith in associated effort which many OF he pest
free thinkers thus far felt. To overcome hls anu
other obstacles to success. VIII require patience and the
demonstration Of some good work well done -, 49,, ..
Between tho conference lin February which voted 10
can q public meeting, and the meeting itself On May,
there established Free Religious CUB 1or the ire
discussion OF topics OF interest to free thinkers 10 pes
WITH few persons met upon the nvltaIon OF Iio rT
Sboye name The Rev John T. Sargent opened ms house
to the Club and M. 10 Che smut ST. Boston became Us
headQuartcrs although Dr. Barto has claimed t.e IrS
leee OF frequently receiving it at his house, no OF thr
same street Both these houses were butt with very
i1ScS ~ about 100 persons can be readily accommo
messed the brilliant gatherings or the carry Sth
dentaIists, when the movement began OF wmeIn
the present demonstration may be considered revival
There have been Elk meeng Oh sS DecembeT Samuel
LCugfoow read paper at the nrt me ee5is, da the
{nytS John Weiss at the NTH, and WATSON in Decem
Der MI LOngfellow discussed Mode OF Worship MT
handed by our new time; Mr. Emerson gave in his best
stye counsel to believers and teachers OF new iSn O
Ertol read one of his most weighty and most DInah
xpostons OF optimistic doctrine essay on the ldea Oh
God rich in speculation pT9iSuHdy @ epd a nun ii Illus
ratons one OF which, the OF Carlyle as showing e
39s N Ssper Ta som on T5e True Scientific Method
Teologyd The Rev. o. B. rockingham will read at the
next meeting Of y the e cgp JAN ~ paper Oh
The Club exists with little formal organization as
possible only officer is the Secretary VINO SENDS 9u
notices OF meetings. secures essaySs ana altenus u o
one interested can become member, attend upon
the invitation OF member The Club loeets al ~ CLOCK
a. m usually the third Monday Of the month AT 1899
when from so persons present. the essay y Teau
and after the essay, conversation proceeds until or
work Thus far the conversations have been MOI less IN
teestng than the essays marked by great eeuOh ana
Of ns ion
Kind To many the Club is divinity school church ana
communion, instructive are the thoughts 80 s
lowshp, Of these hours OF free Iehg0 ttS CON th
ference The hg ;Soo p IGT the ardent organizers Of
free religion the jealous doors OF every good work. gamer
fu OF intense interest in the days OF freshest
Dtbusasm discples gathered in upper chambers to make
ready for the descent Of NewJerusaeIn OUT O
Here mystics who nave WatSheu VIZ h r as 90 Ola
i reT Burden from the Holy Ghost patient
enpon is pillar Of heavens presence in the utter dark
Of troubled world here are workers IN tIe Wiue mfS
OF universal charity who have IN their s.ge es d
solid labor OF pure love- laid more wall OF Ine Cy p Uu
earth than Whole Sge T se the deeT human tender
ness the profound earnestness are Soe
' Tb bost Of the Club the Rev. John Sargent viz
tuay driven OF the pulpit more thah twenty YEARS
ge man i'm his generation he has found charitable
and reform TO do enough 10 MI MS proiessioha
ind more omen to truth or has had heart Of warmer
Eindiness TO his felow-men. The earnest ana graceful
ahors OF Mrs Sargent in the cause OF antlSaFei anu
other reforms well known The same zeal ana nqy
grace make admirable the generous hoepIadW WIN
rhich the meetings Of the Club have been welcomed
D Barto for 80 years pastor OF the West Church OF
which Charles G. Loring pillar IS probably tne most
succe. ful minister in Boston, most acceptable as q
preacher those who hear him. and most beloved 10y @
people he IS e th nroouSd m imagination and rich in
fsncy-tOo rich in fancy some critics OF severe se
va very capable and edfying interpreter to cult
OF the best results of free Thought
eStv sincere and sturdy in the confession and defense
faith and thorough radical nationalist IN this
~, I deas always with the root and reason OF forms