Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-28
United states General Convention oil
UniycrsaliSls.

This body met at Gloucester Mass, Sept
IN, ~, and 30 connecting with it the CEN
tonnary of the denomination, it being one
hundred years since John Murray came to
these shores and settled in Gloucester. Dur
ing tao week it was estimated that 2O,OoO
different persons visited this old town. made
sacred by the fact that here was the first
meeting house over built by the denomination
of Uniyorsali.ts, and here the FIRST Universal
ist minister located. All the churches in
town were thrown open for public services
and an were filed to ovordowing The poo
pie welcomed the great crowd with the great
est pleasure, and did what they could to make
their visit agreeable
A mammoth tent, capable Of seating 5000
people was erected near old ocean, and
throughout the three days services was filed
with attentive listeners. A largo number Of
other fonts were placed contiguous to the
large one with avenues between, named Whit
tcmorc. Ballou. King etc, after deceased
cIcryymon of Che denomination. Taking
everything into account, 10 was said to be the
most remarkable meeting ever held on this
coH'lHeH"
The Boston Post gives a graphic dcscrip- |
ton Of the last days meeting held in the /
great tcnt, which we copy for the information
Of our readers:
tln Yesterday brought hundreds of people TO par
dci1ate in the closing exercises. Tho town WINS
Etcfnlly running over with humanity. The ho
lri. won, flll and had to turn away many guests.
/ priy1tc houses were thrown open for the accom-
mullti1n of strangers and not another person
could have been packed away iu any corner oI any
trut All through the Convention many visitors
have gone every night hck 90 Boston, or 60 Lynn,
S1Iam 0r Dauyers. Gloucester could not hold
/ tbcm an. Never before has there been SO cXci-
/ ding o meeting on the gray old rocksOi Cape Ann.
...,.
'''
Every Gloucester man VINO owned anything I'D
/ tIe shape OF horse of wagon has nCen mAAihs
boy while the sun snonc' true % tue lDuh'luh
/ of the old odage But they all launtcd their
own way and would only e. where they lEel.
lia carriage was gong 70 the GROUND no ear'nly
power could persuade the arNef lo go 10 tle
church. ana d. wa, pouhl Tor tlc CnGIou' VIC
o.u murray "''""5 ''''' was ''' % ''' 4"'
i'on' ..-....... ,,..,.-.. e,
'"h uD' N' H"l' ..''''
# The church DO Whicn Jnln Murray hr.i pleicueu
in Gloucester Is now % 6arn-an old, rckeN,
tumbledown affair, that does not look ns though
it could stand much longer but would Succlmp
90 the next September gale II D. situated M the
western part Vt Che town, two miles from the VII
lage, and oil yesterday morning the road leading
90 10 was crowded with anxious visitors
was held there and a very impressive service it
WAS. ln the center of tlc rude old barn stood a
table litomlly hdcn with autumn lowers On
The -clil9dmg stood vases i.llod with bright BIOS
sQmlugs, and long vine, oi creepcr, were d1Eed
around Che rude beams. The place was hiled
with cultivated men and women the glory ana
strength oi thc denomination lhey stood with
rc'cIcnt faces and bowed heads, awed by the
memory OF the past. and filled with thankiulness
80 the thought of the wonderful growth OF their
church since the time when few devoted oeliey-
cI gathered under this sell same root and listen
ei t9 the teachings of the pioneer oi their inlth,
4 chapter in the Bible was read and a few re-
marks made by Key. Abel Thomas, alter winch
the memorial service was read by pastor ana
itil. l;.rer.l n, attend the serSicos held M the
crave Of
REV. THOMAS JONES
Mr. .r.nc. vos tho minister who immediately
suaecotlci Mr. Murray and he was settled over
the parish Tor TWENTY-FIVE Years. A tall shaft Of
granite marks his burial place The same hands
that decorated the Murray barn had hung flowers
.0n this monument and leh them ON tie grave
The service was much like the preceding one bat
last before It's close. while the hymn was being
sung. bunch after bunch of flowers was placed
lovingly on the m0und-slmc left by those who
hal known him ia life, many by those to whom
be was personally stranger. but who knew and
reyeren6od him through hs works.
.......
e l"E GENERAL 'oN' ANlioN
was held in the large tent, and was one Of tie
most interesting meetings Of the whole celcbra-
ton, Gov Nasuoume OF Maine, who presided
in the place o. poy ferhami detained at the
council OF delegates, called the convention to or
der at hali-pasl 10 o'clock. lie made few very
interesting and eloquent remarks on the influence
that the tnver-allst religion had had on the
World and reviewed rs progress rom the Degin-
ming. Alter lac had finished speaking the band
p in ievJr OF patriotism played 80 liail Column
8 ma much 20 tne dtllght OF tne assembled null
rlouded tbp intsic they ,yere ouder and beartier