New-York tribune., 1870-10-19

conyentionalit,es and fallen into the worlds ways they
have uniformly and rapidly been absorbed into other
churches sO that denomination they are IN danger
OF passing away; 80 indispensable Il IT, pIacucaly
speaking to have outward help some visible and
marks some form OF expression by wch tue lath 'na'
Is IN us can be made known and cherished
Liberty.
To some extent and with similar results our Unitarian
Churches have tried the experiment and by neglect OF
the few remaining forms OF Christian organization many
OF them have been enfeebed, and not n few Of them
have been closed whenever they have sought to re-
duce the ritual Of Christianity below that which Christ
and his Apostles thought incumbent upon themselves
they have isDguished We believe that reason ana the
lust OF Christian liberty would bring us back.
not TO the supersous observance of FORMS but to their
careful observance, needful helps and guides The
baptism OF the young, by which they are brought.
through outward form, into the visible Christian fod
and made feel that from the first they consecraed
TO God and his service their confirmation at suitable
age and after fitting instruction IN the CHRISTIAN fhil
by which they placed in just relation 10 Christ :
Church before the world has spoiled and corrupted
them and mature confession of rain IN Chilt
which the communion service implies; these things con,
sdered as means to spiritual emu snoVu Dy ItIS
among our positive duties, under tho law OF bcIty tse
To this law of liberty have thus far been faithful as
a denomination. both IN theory ana prague anu -,
though from time 10 time resolutions nave been paase
standin and prnctca work II ha never been In such
way TO trammel individual freeuo or eS1a9iia, e ~,
rectly or indirectly terms Of admission or conons on
acknowledged fellowship among our chrches 80 ~ ~ I o,
cardinal doctrine has been the unity Oi 'iOu ou cui'
principle has been the liberty whereWitb Chst ha ~
VS. free But here also we nave shown want vi ~,
cal WISDOM and have permitted the love oi frtaOh 20
mislead The vi dDgmatC invasion has bfIfdyeu
neglect OF essential truth. We nave justly sau
that all the wide differences among Christian sects are
consistent with Christian unity buI nave nl1st % . ie ~,
red that such differences are ulnpOrtant anu
practical results 1t does not follow because an IiNe
equal right Judge for themseves that te uo % bt
equally good and useful or that II matters ho' M
man believes provided that he f. sincere. II uofc mat
ter great deal Few things are more impor, =. ti
simplicity and drectness In our ncucatlon OF hris'Ln
truth There no denomination IN Chrstendcm dnorT r
imperfecy informed tO its prevailing ielrI liiI Ou
own Greater defniteness OF belief i needed ~ ho o
own or to attract others, Our churches anu . oai
We shall perish unless have more OF IT,
Every separate church should have =, i'm
sufficiently minute for the purp3ss oI pc,i, in u,
structOn and although there wond ne many ~ ~ahaes "a ~
difference among thcm they would come rucn hatI 10
general assembagcs might hnd some method oi Slln
ilar action II we could only come tqgethel ~ ,s i
OF love and Christian brotherhood stgau Oh ~
and recrminaOn, 10 learn ana declare me Iul hS u ~
in Jesus. We are sure that II could Dc Done ~ .o way
that would not involve the olecilOhdDe Ics'uIts ga
Crecduaking. and yet give u. The adv ht5e on 5IeaIE
frankness IN all onr work AIter an hesltion 20 & I
ura 10 Unitarian ON such subject can almost agree
with your eloquent preacher OF the last Conference r
BeOwr). that there Is duty more urgent than tho
duty ~ furnishing people with definite Christian
statement Of faith" But saving this neither he nor
would tofget the nit'.onS a. uspHon; a. hIthp; ~
cannot change our b1se OF forfeit the pftHrlgut Oh
freedom. When it comes to the test OF Christian
word IySES-f off Him Whom we follow. This is life
eternal, Ia know thee, the only true Cod aud Jesus
appcars that by the rule Of Interpretation
Christ sets Us ree- From rualistc religions =. From
each of them also learn that common sense, expert
ence eNpcdiency tue usage OF the Christian Church the
our use OF freedom The liberty therefore, not license
even when most universally given; not freedom from
larger ana nobler manhood the service OF God by the
attainment Of personal spiritual lie.
CHRI,T's TEACHING.
The teaching ~ Jesus Christ the truth Of Cod and
hi, command. are the law OF God and our spiritual
freedom ia most perfectly attained when we have
most fully received His truth and law into hearts
As He himself said. II ye abide in my word ye shall
be my disciples indeed, and ye shall know th" truth
and the truth shall set yOu free" There are two con
cevabe WAYS by when mel may conc 10 te Lh' lrd-s
OF The highest spiritual truth and 10 p rect system OF
rational or phiosophical the other i, the path OF
Chrs stian obedience. ~ the former Ie" prf'oh- on
physical thought may Iisc from step % step
seeking after God. ii hapy they may, fnd Him
man can know ond find it u be the same that Jesus
taught to the samaritan woman 1872 years ago & ,tQd
spirit in truth" or in seeking 10 attain tho perfect
ideal of human virtue determine 20 live every day up
~ our hi ,het convictions Of duty e. do 10 IN
dulge no impure thought, 10 have selfish motive, tn
dG%Sy aSg te ~ ey Slowly and painfully We Struggle upward
with many doubts and fears, questioning OF me way;
and with uncertain aIn until having iaDofed 'ons 1nu
hard, come. perhaps. to one VINO 0lehs IRE o'fll
lures" and shows Us Ia Chrisis example and tne Gos'
system OF morality the RUE Oy "hleh We nave i"l'
II well, therefore that in The hrt formation Of THIS
Conference Of Unitarian christian thurche, hOi"bh
standing the exaggerated fear creed4 the clear coneS
SiOu pi >
made in our preamble ana j. thefeDN III al '
we do If the force of that plain ayOwal has been M
hot vas not the intention OF the Conference In the
changes made The Xth Article OF the Constitution was
in nv opinion mistake OF hherahty WIN SOod lhteh
lion but without the desired result IL was intended To
express no more than Is true IN al associated fegOus
bodies, even with those VINO slg tle siltes o,, t t
differences or opinion may exist 10 -, ~ ~ sh
honest Interpretation of words may alO" anu h lhe
proceeding of the Conference, from time 20 @ @tne
binding Only upon tlo oH,ICnS,s 'iat ~ "a
consent them. Thus had already, Dten chPtess'u
ference was organized and only intended by me
majority Of the Conference 70 emphasize te sa prH
cipe of con iOnal independence by incorporating II
INFO the Constitution Unfortunately, IN the last hurry
OF action, after excited discussion the article Was
ad0pcd in form which seems 10 do great deal more
and almost 10 neuraze platform itself, by ma KING
the Conference as open TO those who reject Chrst a. 10
those who receive Him II We could take ont OF thc hnth
article the words including the preamble ana Constu
tiO II would certainly be improved rms HOuu leaNe
while the Conference itself would remain
where IL first placed. upon dlsuhctlSs @ m
ievers would desire 10 come. But II this method I'M
practicable unwise perhaps some equally eheaclous
ITav may be found of expressing our unshaken purpose
20 tsnd where we have always stood Unitarian Chris
tian churches disciples Of thc Lord Jesus Christ and
having done all, to stand.
DUNES.
For this most certainly, at all times and in every place,
II i our bounden duty do As conference OF churches
and a members it, the first and indispensable requisite
IN Christian success is to keep ourselves openly earn
estl,, and without preyaricaion Christian ground
fens of Christ and liberty without turning either To the
right hand left going straight forward 10 DO the once
OF evangelists "n the cause or CHRISTIAN ialth ana
work Il the only rightfu course for us to pursue III
would be great mistake TO court the favor OF those
called nrthodoX by any Language except that which most
,,1airiv conveys the faith really hold. We desire
tber brotherhood and affection, but ask for IT only
nn Dauai terms still greater would be the mistake
pd the sin 10 lower the Christian standard for the sake
oG attracting those who cannot submit themselves
" tbc Gcsnel claims OF Jesus Christ. In Of our
western cities the attempt made TO establish re-
ilgous society upon what was called the broadest pos
4. atda "A nrpn0rpl which
~ nuusinn 10 supreme Beng made. The attention
OF the clergyman was called TO the omission, and he
~iained IN by saving that there were great many in
Adrls and atheists In the community whom he Wished To
conclGate Instead OF conciliang them they laughed
svasions OF truth TO use stronger terms answer
and ministers i'm their studies who know little OF the