The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-20
NATIONAL USsTARlAv CONFERENCE.

Number OF DcIegatcs--Rcpcrf Of the Council
ny the Rev. DIR. Deilows-ConGition and
Prospects of tho Unitarian Eody--The
Downfall Of the French Emperor and the
Pope Will Fayorably Acct Liberal Pro-
tesla yisni.
The first morning session OF the fourth Unitarian
Conference was held at ten A. M. at the Church of
the Messiah, Park avanue. yesterday. There were
$40 lcgatcs present. representing 200 Unitarian
churches and associations OF the different States
ana Territories or the Union. The Conference was
very largely attended. mostly by ladies and gentle
men that period OF lie which is associated with
falling leaves.
After an opening PRAYER by the Rev. Dr. Wheeler
a committee OF three, consisting OF Mr.. Robert Coll
yer, Rev. Dr. Brigham and Rev. Charles Lowe.
were unanimously elected TO nominate q tempo
rary chairman, In place OF Mr.. Thomas ID. Elliott,
deceased. The Rev. Mr.. Ellis and the Rev. Mr..
Virgins appointed secretaries of the Con-
ference
report OF the Council was read by Rev. DIR. Bel
lows, beginning with eulogium the late Mr..
Thomas u. Elliot, whose death has caused vacancy
in the midst OF the conference. The Speaker gave
glowing account OF the past records, the condi-
ton prospects Of the local conferences OF the
Unitarian Association. He noted their steady In.
crease IN zeal and wisdom.
The report recommends hearty cooperation
divided only as the Christian Church always has
been, adhering to the Christ of Cod others to
the spirit OF God. and SO long as the God behind
both is not denied this difference ought not to
separate brethren or occasion denial OF
the organization OF conferences is the ade-
auate supply OF the ministry. II has hitherto
NOMINATION.. and by converts nom the ministry OF
other creeds The Council recommends the appoint
ment or q tribunal whose task u should be to test
I'm una les i'm nd cha pff hn
applicants from The latter ella 5. 1t also recon-
mends that the theological schools of the denomna-
tlon should give six months free instruction to
such converts. The object OF these schools should
be to lift theology TO her oxn throne rs queen OF
The downfall Of the empire in France and the end
OF the POpe's reign in Italy have opened new fields
Of the Unitarians is steadily revivlng in England,
! and free Thought has nowhere holder and ADLER
champions than IN that country Of orthodox Pro
liberal Protestant organizations in Paris and
Geneva and the granting OF y small subsidy to the
/ former further recommended.
The Council proposes the erection OF national
| Unitarian church in the District OF Washington. It
/ should be a commanding edidce. AS the Unltarans
| in Washington comparatively few number
| they cannot sustain, alone the burden OF this ex
pense. The Council therefore proposes to raise
| $1,000 towards the erection Of national
| Unitarian church., which shonld also be
20 the oera Srner m gteT
that a review be started represent the theological
science OF the body which should be sustained by
the Conference. The speaker stated the dissemina
ton OF the denominaiiona literature has never been
| so successful as now.
| cepted and thanks were passed 10 General Jones'
Postmaster OF New York, for anording postal faci
Reports OF the local Conferences were made in
succession by the gentlemen appointed for the pur-
pose. and al one O'Clock the delegates adjourned to
| the adolng room to partake OF refreshments
Judge CHAPLIN, OF Worcester, MASS, took the chair
at the opening Of the afternoon session motion
that the local Conferences should enter INTO rccOg
nzed relations with the American Unitarian Assoc
alton in Boston was laid on the table after an ami
mated discussion, in which several delegates took
| part.
The session closed with discourse by the Rev.
DR.. Bellows. who deprecated all measures that
would be likely to disturb the present harmony OF
| the Unitarian body. The speaker said, rs a Confer
ence must stand together and work together
There il no power on earth that can divide this
body and never WAS Il so absolutely one as now
We show 10 the religious world that the Unitarans
be by our adversaries.
The session concluded at four O'Clock IN the after.
| noon.
The Conference met again in the evening Mt half
past seven O'Clock to listen 10 discourse by Rev.
| Mr.. Hepworth on Theatre Preaching
Rev. Mr.. Hepworth not having made his appear
| ance Mr.. w. u. Baldwin, OF Boston. discussed the
same subject. He said the masses are not properly
met with by our denomination-there are thousands
who do not know what Is 10 hear the Word Of God
pne experlmeat Q. t1eare preacnlng ws 1rea A. she
tatiOn
That committee OF ten be appointed, to whom win
referred the subject OF public education In its
! laton to religious education, with permission to
confer with persons OF other religions, IN the hope
OF an approach to union OF the puDllc sentiment
| questions OF public education.
| Resolutions referring TO friendly relations with
other christian bodies were presented by the Com.
| mttee on Business and adopted.
The Conference will meet again to-day at nine
| O'Clock A. NJ. At ten the discussion Will begin on
the statement Of faith introduced by Rev. Mr.. Nav,
OF syracuse; at TWO O'Clock r. NJ. the same subject,
| continued by Rev. Mr.. Putnam, OF Brooklyn: nc
| hafpast seven In the evening missionary meet
ing, with addresses by Professor Everett ana Others
AMERICAN CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
~~~~---~~-~>~~~>~~~-~~~
It's Anniversary Meeting Ycstcrda y-Thc
| Annual Report.
At the Church Of the Holy Trinity, corner Of Mad
son avenue and Forty-second street, the American
Church Missionary Society yesterday held It's ami