The New York herald., 1870-10-24
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

UDitnrinnissn in America--Its Position snd
ProspecIs--Sermon by tho Rev. q. III. Hep.
worth.
Ihls church was crowded yesterday by large and
intelligent congregation. The services were as
usual, but the interest OF the people was than
ordinarily displayed. After the singing OF selected
hymns and an eloquent prayer the pastor, Mr.. Hep.
worth, preached sermon the position ana pros.
poets OF Unitaranism In America, selecting for his
text First Psalms, 2-"HiS delight is in the law Ol
the Lord.n
The largest Conference, he satd which has ever
been held by our body has just been brought 10 q
triumphantly successful and perfectly satisfactory
conclusion. We met knowing that the question OF
our UNCONVENTIONAL allegiance to Jesus Christ and
the Scriptures would be fully and freely discussed.
This fnct and The immense interest on the subject
which has been awakened in our body during the
last two years brought TO New York more than 900
delegates representing every section Of the Conti-
nent They came not only from New England
which has heretofore BEEN the home and stronghold
the states OF the great West, from OHIO, Michigan,
Illinois, MISSOURI and California. And we were all
OF which we are composed. As looked round upon
the men who accept our system OF doctrines could
not help feeling OF pride-quite justl1able,
think-tnat tney were, SO many OF them,
PROMINENT, ACTIVE AND EARNEST FORCES
in the several communities which they represented
There were scholars whose printed works exert a
narrow limits OF our sect, ana found
their, tnslr way into into many Of the theological
eloquent preachers from West and East, whose
words were listened TO with delight by the men,
devoted their ample fortune the Lords service in
building up or aiding philanthropic institutions.
Altogether it was rare collection OF men.
And these delegates all came with a firm and
fixed determination that the religious position Of
the body should be settled beyond dlspate. If the
community had misunderstood US IL should be SET
right. III q lew men VINO DO not represent
opinions have given wrong IMPRESSION OF our alle-
gance to the Son of God and our peIe In the Scrip
lures as divine rule OF life, we were determined to
put ourselves on such unequivocal ground that
HEREAFTER MISTAKES WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE
This was the general spirit OF the meeting. IL was
spirit which pervaGed not simply that part OF the
body which IS called conservative, but Also think
! may say equally, tnat part winch mas been called
radical. gentler truer and more fraternal spirit
never pervaded religious assembly. It seemed TO
me that the holy Ghost had really descended, for We
never before felt our Dearness to each other or to
God 80 completely. In discussion concerning the
weightiest matters q discussion that was at times
heated 10 a white heat there was a desire on the
part OF every one to see lair play, and determine
tion on the part OF ali TO fix the body on solid
Christian foundation And this was done. In our
preamble we affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is
''tne chief corner stone.i In the ninth article we
reafrm our allegiance 70 Him ana to His Gospel,
and then invite all who wish to be His followers TO
unite with us IN Cnristian work. With such plat
form We must claim the respect and the regard and
the sympathy Of the whole community. Other sects
may say, "You shall not work with us unless you
believe exactly as We don We say, III you wish to
be % follower OF Jesus Christ
CONE AND LEND Us A HAND
In the work OF regeneration. We have succeeded,
as no other religious sect has done, in unUinp the
spirit OF Christ with the spirit or liberty. have nc
douot that we shall gain larger hearing and soon
take our piac by the side OF the most influential
sects in doing the work OF the Lord and III giving
direction TO the thought and the purpose OF the age
The man who hereafter says that Untariapism Is
not, in It's largest and best sense, founded 0i Christ
and the Gospel is criminaliy stupid or insincere.
have no doubt that
OUR FUTURE Is SECURE
beyond peradventure. The whole current or the
time n0ws III our direction. quarter of the good
people III tnls city Of New York, whether they know
that man shah inform himself concerning our po-
sion. The more nc thinks of The matter the more
closely allied 10 US will he become. "With CHARITY
| toward all, with mance toward none We mus. &C
WAY, that the Holy Spirit VI God ana taa
| blessing OF kl45 SOU will go Win US.