The New York herald., 1869-05-06
UNITARIAN CONFERENCE.

Sicinity-lnferest1ng Details and Debates
HOnOrs to Rev. DIR. OsgOOd-A Missionary
for New YOrk-Unitariun PrOselyt tism in
Broolklyn-The Sunday ScheoI System.
The annual May meeting OF the New York and
Hudson River Conference of the American Unitarian
Association convened yesterday morning at nine
O'Clock at the chapel Of the Church or the Messiah
on Park avenue, corner Of Thirty yfourth street. The
first hour occupied with devotional exercises
prayers, exhortations and hymn singing. at which
Rev. Dr. Farley, OF Brooklyn, presided, and Rev. Dr.
Metcalf, OF Winchester, Mass; Rev. Mr.. Cheney of
Boston; Rev. DR.. Osg0od, Of this city, and Rev. Dr.
Burr, of Yonkers, assisted
The hour of ten O'Clock having arrived the Confer.
ence was called to order for business by Rev. Dr.
Parley, as chairman OF the Executive Committee Of
the Board of Directors, and he called upon ReW Mr.
Badger OF Staten Island to open the proceedings with
prayer after which the reverend doctor stated that
the president of the Conference, Rev. Dr. II. w. Bel
lows, had sent note, regrettng his illness from
cold, which compelled him to remain at home and
prevented his participating in the deliberations Of
the Conference; and as neither of the vice pres-
dents was present the duty of presiding devoved
upon him. He regretted that so few Of their breth-
rem had appeared as members of the Conference
though he hoped that more would arrive during the
day, which hope the reverend gentleman saw full
filled by noon at which time nearly all the churches
belonging to the Conference were represented even
large number OF ladies appearing, regularly
credited as delegates from their respective congre
cations, or rather societies, as the UnItarans call
their churches. Rev. DR.. Burr, of Yonkers, the
retary, then read the minutes OF the last regular
meeting OF the Conference, at YOnkers, the 10th
of February 1862 which were approved without
amendment.
THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.
Affprf fhn roiI 1,v vrhu chaqrp
in order upon the state Of Unitaranism within the
jurisdiction Of the Conference. The first came from
Rev. Mr. Webster, of Newburg, N. Y, to the effect
that since the last meeting one or two families had
been added to his church; that to-day Thursday
ground would be broken for new church. to be
finished by December next. He had also found it
necessary to suspend the usual evening service, In
order to secure time for missionary abors in Orange
and Dutchess counties.
The Third society of Brooklyn was reported in a
fOurlshing condition. Rev. Mr.. Camp had been
elected pastor, the Sunday school numbers about
sixty regular pupils, and at the regular church
service the attendance as usual, with good pros
poets OF future increase. From the Third society
OF New York city there was no report, no delegates
being present.
Rev. Dr. Burr reported from the society at Yon-
kers that little new can be said, whie there was
nothing dlScouraging. An afternoon Bible class
had been opened, with promises OF good fruits
and which Will be kept up through the
OF the progress Of the church was that people come
and go. II they would only stay and not remove so
SAID that a church should be bunt on the principle
OF mousetrap--easy TO get In, but hard TO get out
ana he only wished that his church were such.
From Staten Island Rev. Mr.. Badger reported that
they had very interesting and intelligent group OF
people, though small. not exceeding twenty-five
families. They had no large community 10 draw
from, though the population Is rapidly increasing
Many come to stay for the summer only, though
many others are building with the intention OF per-
manently remaining Lately a number OF operatives
arrived from England TO work IN q silk factory and
it Is proposed to open meeting room among them
n
The Second society OF Brooklyn reported no
special changes since the last report they are suffer
ing from the same causes as complained OF at Yonk-
ers; still the society Is gradually growing.
Harlem, through the Rev. Mr.. Clark made dole:
ago to call the Rev. MIR. Meilen to the pulpit but
they could not raise the money, and then they called
HIM lMr. Clark: There was some feeling OF 9pi-
mostly existing between Universalist and Unitarian
members, and efforts were made to break 1t up,
which resulted in the secession Of the old fashioned
Universalists The reverend gentleman sal1 that
for the whole OF last year he was a good deal an
noyed, both inside and outside of the society, which
interiered with its growth and prosperity Ihelr
meeting place was a bad one, large over stable,
with disagreeable odors pervading 1t and not easily
heated anu with the mercury at the freezing point
good deal OF eoquence was wasted upon the desert
air They had now smaller room, but IN bad
locality, with a poor entrance. Yet they mad
equally divided between Univerasts and Unitarians.
Individuals propose TO bund chapel which VIII
seat from 275 to 800 persons at cost OF $4,000.
with two houses the rents from which will pay the
interest The society makes strenuous efforts to get
subscriptions and he hoped the other churches in the
Conference would assist them to furnish the chapel.
lie himself had given halr his salary 5000 towards
1t. The enterprise was very important one. as the
population was rapidly increasing, mostly OF the mid
die class, which had great deal more faith than
means.
From Troy no report was received, but another
discouragng statement received from Albany,
through Mr.. rockingham. lie SAID that the society
In the capital OF the state, though not yet deiunc
was much crippled, They lately sold their building,
because II was not TO the taste OF members, and
while 1t may be wrong TO talk about taste In church
affairs, still men and women look to appearances.
Rev. DIR. Farley suggested whether the location OF
the building was not the cause OF the dissatisfac
tion which Mr.. rockingham admitted TO have
been partially the case but they were unfortunate in
their nonadapaton 20 the state Of society and pub
lie opinion at Albany. IL Is an old city, settled with
preudices and stald class OF people not migratory;
and Unitarianism can never sustain itself there
though II ought to. Hence what members they had
got scattered. and some went back TO the Eps-
that he had corresponded with several gentlemen in
regard 10 the state OF the Church at Albany and all
had impressed him with their belief that for the pre-
sent nothing could be done 10 revive It.
Rev. Dr. Putnam, pastor OF the Church OF the
saviour in Brooklyn reported that they had recent
ly celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary OF the
conservation OF the church. which Is In nourIshing
condtion have but lately added $1,000 to the pas.
tors salary, having no debts. but money invested IN
bonds. They maintained prosperous mission
school OF over one hundred pupils, mostly
girls, where sewing is taught. AZ first
disagreeabe for the lady teachers to repair to the
school, which Is In Roman Catholic neighborhood,
ana the parents and the priests were opposed 70 H.
stones and bricks at the teachers, hooted and In.
suited then that the protection OF the police had
to be required; but now the ties between the pupils
and teachers have grown 80 s.roDg as to overcome
the influence or priesthood and Catholicism and now
everything goes smooth and though three years ago
~ was as much as ones life was worth for the
teachers 70 go there now II Is as orderly as any
sunday school, showing marvellous change.
very interesting statement was made by Rev.
Ut Osgood as to the condition OF the Church OF the
Messiah lie said there was rising spirit ruling In
.ne church, new enterprises OF Christian charity are
projected, new mission schools and the like.
s.in ssin tnere was difculty. They had built
tnis splendid edince; 10 cost more than they
expected, ana they were In debt about $4,000.
ne han, Dy means OF subscriptions, raised $4,000
anu ne had the promise 10 have II reach $50 900 II the
coulo De given that he, DR.. Osgood, would
De retained as pastor He knew he stood well gem
y eray WIN the congregation, but there were con-
Siderable eiements opposed to him. At this he was
exerclse9; lie consulted an old friend who had
known him boy and was told by him, 'Sam, get
out OF this; you cannot be nancier and pastor too.n