New-York tribune., 1870-10-22
THE UNITARIAN CONFERENCE

The Unitarian Conference closed its sessions
yesterday. In the dignity, culture, and char
acter of its delegates it would compare favor
ably with any convention that has met here
of late, though manifestly inferior to the
memorable one that was presided over by the
late Gov. Andrew in 1866. Beside an unusu-
ally large proportion of ministers, there was a
generous sprinkling of lawyers, jurists, writer's
philanthropists, and merchants, mixed in with
many "mOthers in Israel" and not few
daughters who undoubtedly aspire to that
eminence. Our reports give faithful record
of the three days dOngs, with the ebb and
flow of debate and much of the currents
and cOunter-currents Of thought and feeling
as is of general interest. The reports showed
that the churches of this denomination are grow
ing in numbers and reigiOusinteresi; that thereis
an increase in the spirit of unity and practical
fellowship among them, and that they are
doing large amount of charitable and philan-
thrOpic work in the communities where they
are seyerally located. The vote 10 raise $780,,
600 to endow a new Theological School in Chi
cagO indicates a determination TO keep the
standard of ministerial scholarship at the
highest point; while the urgent request that
Harvard shall widen her Divinity School into
Theological College, by having all denomi-
nations represented in its Faculty, shows a
refreshing breadth of catholcity, and looks
toward a practical union of all sects.
The special significance of this session of
the Conference, however, consists in its deal
ing with the problem of Christian fellowship.
The Unitarian body owes its present import
ance very largely to the fact that it repre-
sents the confluence of historical and rational
istic streams Of thought. 1t is more largely
impregnated with the lationalistic temper,
methods, and ideas than any other religious
body In Amerca-sO much so that of late there
has been strong determination on the part
Oh extreme conservatives to stop the encroach-
ments OF the rationalists by the adoption Of
a creed and the Withholding of funds. The
temper OF the denomination, as shown by the
reports of Wednesday, and the applause of
the delegates to every sentiment in favor of
the largest liberty, led the conservative
party TO modify their original intention
and oher statement SO general in its
character, and SO generally satisfactory TO
all parties, that there was scarcely ground
enough between them for contest,
while the rationalists, who had the majority,
had already agreed to coneedo quite as much
as their opponents asked. The debate of
thursday was courteous but tedious, and set
tied nothing. On Friday morning the Confer
ence almost unanimously reafihmed allegiance
TO the Gospel Of Christ, and invited into it's
fellowship all who wish to be his followers
and u also unanimously sustained the policy
OF the Association in aiding ministers and So
eieties who claim to be Christian. without in
qnir1ng into the grounds Of their faith. SO
the whole question may be considered IA set
tied in favor of the largest possible liberty
consistent with the Christian confession, leav-
ing 1t to each individual to decide the latter
for himself