Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-25
notified of the dangerous character Of the
rock, but have never needed the warning.
THE UNITARIAN CONFERENCE.

| The national Unitarian conference opened
| at Rev. Mr. Hepworths church, in n. York,
| Wednesday morning Rev. DR.. Bellows read
| the annual report After paying an earnest
tribute to the late president ofthe association
| T. d. Eliot of New Bedford, he said all the
| local conferences were reported prosperous
| with increasing activity and traternal union
| among laymen. Fifteen Methodist and Con-
gregational ministers have Joined the Inlta-
| rians during the past two years, and there Is
! an increasing tendency toward the Unitarian
church. which is also steadily advancing IN
| England as is strikingly shown in the adms-
| sion of a Unitarian minister to the comms-
| sion of the revision of the scriptures. Dr.
Bellows report closed with a reference TO the
| proposed discussion of the new creed OF the
| church, counseling selfcontrol and respect
fer others
A resolution to refer to a special committee
without debate all matters relating to de-
claraton of a creed, with amendments for the
presentation Of confession of faith, provok-
ed a sharp discussion. and after opposition by
Rev. Messrs Hale and Hepworth, was laid on
the table, and the usual business committee
of four was appointed. Henry Chaplin of
Worcester was elected permanent president OF
the conference.
Several of the reports expressed positive
desire that the convention should attempt no
formal statement of faith, but leave all the
churches to perfect freedom of belief. Mr.
Scandlin, in his report from Grafton, made an
earnest appeal for the reorganization OF the
American Unitarian association, by admitting
local conferences TO share in its management,
for the consolidation of the finance and pub
fishing branches of the Sunday school asso-
citation, for greater practical efficiency. 9th
er reports, generally verbal and informal,
were made by delegates representing confer
ences in New York, and the southern and
western states.
A resolution, offered by Rev. DIR. Bellows
and advocated by him in a stirring speech,wa
adopted expressing the pleasure of the con-
vention at the reports presented and the evil
dences of growth and unity in the dcnomina-
ton which they embodied, and urging contin-
ual activity among the local conferences.
One hundred and eighty three churches,
100 of which are in Massachusetts, in Maine.
10 in n Hampshire, 4 in Vermont, and in
Rhode Island were represented by 497 dele
gates.
At the evening session, reports were pre-
scented by Mr.. Baldwin of Boston in favor OF
theater preaching, and Rev. L. E Hale on
fellowship with other denominations and the
education of children. A long discussion fol-
lowed on education. DIR. Bellows feared that
the Bible would be excluded in future from
the common schools. Preparations should be
made by improving Sunday schools. Several
were in favor of respecting the rights OF those
who objected to the Bible and prayers in
schools. Mr.. Coggswell of Massachusetts up
held the Bible in the schools. The debate
terminated in appointing committee on the
subject
On Thursday the number in attendance was
larger than the day before. The entire day
was devoted to the discussion of the PROPOSE
ton to modify or revise the ninth article of
the Constitution, which is as follows:
Article 9. To secure the largest unity of
spirit and the widest practical cooperation, it
is hereby declared that all declarations OF this
Conference, including the preamble and con-
stitution, are expressions only of its majority,
committing in no degree those who object to
them, and dependent wholly for their effects
upon the consent they command, their own
merits, from churches here represented, or
belonging within the circle of our fellow
ship.
Rev Dir. Hepworth offered the first propo-
sition, that the whole article be struck out.
and the following substituted:
Reforming our allegiance to the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and desiring to secure the
largest unity of spirit and earnest practical
corporations, we invite to our fellowship all
who profess and hold themselves Christians"
Rev Joseph May of Newburyport moved
that the ninth article be retained, and the words
provided, however, that nothing in this artl-
Gle shall be construed to remove this Con-
ference from its Christian basis be added.
This il considered as representing the views
of the extreme Left radical radical wing, and
was received by that side of the house with
hearty applause In the debate which follow
ed the most prominent men and women OF the
denomination participated.
Mr.. Mays amendment was adopted by
vote 324 to 2l8. On the question whether the
article as amended should become a part of
the Constitution it was decided in the mega
tive two thirds vote being necessary for
adoption. Mr.. Hepworth's substitute was to
come up Friday morning.
The Unitarian Conference on Friday
adopted Mr.. Hepworth's substitute for the
9th article of the Constitution by vote of266
to 33, and then voted to refer to committee
consisting of Revs. Samuel j. May, Jas. Free
man Clarke Henry w. Bellows, John Gard
ner, Geo. H. Hepworth, S. r. Calthrop and
Frederic rockingham all matters pertaining
to a statement of faith of the denomination,
their report to be submitted at the next meet
ing in 1872. The following officers were cleo
ted for the ensuing year;
President, Hon. f.. lockwood Hoar ofMassa
chusetts Vice Presidents, Geo William Cur
It's of New York; u. L. Shorey of Chicago
Geo Partridge of St. Louis, Mo; Manning I.
Force of Cincinnati; Jos. II. Choate of New
York; Gov Seth Padelford, of Providence.
Secretaries, Revs. Benz. ii, Bailey, Portland,
Me-; Aug. Woodbury., Providence; John ID.
Wells, Quincy, Mass, and n. III. Fish, Scit-
uate, Mass. Treasurer, Henry p kidder of
Boston. Council, Rev. II. w. Bellows, New
York; T.. L. Hale, James Freeman Clarke,
Boston; Geo. IL. Ilepworth, New York;
Carlton s. Staples and ARENAS Carter, Chi
cago; Frederic E. Clarke, Lawrence; VIM.
Weeden, Providence; Robt. S. Rantoul, Sa-
lem and Geo. o. Shattuck, Boston.