The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-22
General Convention of versaIists-
Centennial Celebration.

centennial celebration.
GLOUCESTER, Mass, Sept. 20, 1870.
10 the Editor of the Press:
The present meeting of the General Univer-
salist Convention is an occasion of special in
terest by reason of the fact that it celebrates
the hundredth year of the PRONUNCIATION of the
distinctive doctrine of this sect in America.
Other persons had preached the final salvation
of all, but John. Murray, who landed on the
shores of New Jersey in September, ITO, was
the first to organize and carry forward new
religious movement, based upon this distin-
gushing tenet. The first organized Universe
list society, and the first to which Mr.. Murray
ministered as PASTOR was in this town, and it
was for this reason that Gloucester was select.
ed as the most appropriate place fol holding
the general convention of this year, which
should also be centennial celebration.
1t became evident some months since th at
the meeting would be so largely attended that
the services could not be held in the Gouces-
ter church, nor would the houses of the Glou-
cester people, however generous their spirit, be
ample enough to furnish accommodations for
the multitudes. Hence, Yale's mammoth tent
was secured for the public meetings, and the
societies were invited to furnish themselves
with tents for the accommodation of such of
thei- respective parishes as might attend, leay.
ing the Gloucester parish to care for the cler-
gymen and delegates and those who might
come from the remote sections of the country.
The grounds on which the tents are located are
about one mile south of the village, upon the
sea shore, and are laid out in avenues and
streets, which are named for the leading men
in the earlier history of the church. More
than one hundred tents have been erected,
among which are those for the headquarters of
the various committees, tbs Publishing House,
&c. Some of the tents are quite gaily decor
ated, and the scene as a whole il one of great
interest and beauty. The extensive provisions
made are not likely to prove any too ample
ior crowds have been arriving by every train
curing the day. The mammoth tent, which
wiii seat 1880 people, was very nearly filled
tnis afternoon, and it is not improbable that
the numbers will be doubled tomorrow.
Inc convention was organized this forenoon
by the choice of the following officers. Hon.
sidney Perham of Maine, President: Rev. T
T. Weston, ID. D., of Illinois, Vice President
Hon. N. Il. Hemiup of Minnesota. Secretary
The forenoon was devoted to preliminary mat.
tiers.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON,
Reports were presented by the various Off.
GERS of the Convention. The report of the
Trustees was read by Rev. J. M. Pullman of
New York 1t spoke of the Washington move
ment, but thought it inexpedent for the Con-
vention to aid at present in the erection of
church edifce in that city. Forty-fve scbol-
arships have been granted to students of our
Theological schools
Mention was made of bequest Of $4,000 to
the Convention by Mr.. W. S. Gum of Nyack,
N. Y, in trust for the relief of disabled clergy
men.
Ihe report of the General Secretary, Rev
asa SAKE, D. D., of New York, was paper of
great interest. He referred to an attempt |
made In 1901 to raise some funds for the Con. |
Vention and the opposition it provoked ON the
ground that such fund might become an en-
CINE of ecclesiastical despotism. After severo,
years discussion an appeal was made and The
returns from fourteen societies footed up s32
0312. The general financial status of the ia.
nomination at present was reported az follows:
Church property, $50O0OO0 90
Current expenses, 6O0 600 90
Property and investments of
Schools and Colleges, 1.683O00 90
Investments in Charities and
Missions, 5000 90