Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-20
Singing by choir:
when can read my title clear"

Prayer was offered by Rev. -. T. Stevens.
After singing by the choir, Mr.. Moor an
nounced that on account of the necessary abb
sence of Gen. S. F. Herscy, President of the
Universaiist State Convention, he would call
upon the Hon. Sidney Perham, Vice Presi-
dent of the convention, who was present to
preside.
Nr. Perham said that he regretted the alb
sence of Gen. Ilersey, who had been such
liberal patron of the enterprises of the de-
nomination. We have met on an important
occasion-the one hundreth anniversary of
the preaching of our peculiar faith this
continuation the purpose of talking over this
whole subject He alluded to the wonderful
changes that had taken place since Murray
planted his foot upon our shores, the pro-
gress of our nation, through long and tedious
wars, with foreign and internal foes; the in
crease of population and resources; and the
facilities for communication of intelligence.
Moral and theological IDEAS have undergone
also no less changes: they have been greatly
modified. That progress has been onward
and upward, coming nearer and nearer to
divine truth Simultaneously with the preach
ing Of Murray, came the thought that gave
birth to liberty. The denomination has had
its infancy, has outlyed the days of super
sttion, and now takes its place beside the
other denominations of the land. 1t has been
found that there is a power in that religion
which teaches not so much how to avoid pun
ishment in the next world as to live godly
life in the present one.
The first duty is to see to it that our own
souls are consecrated to God. We occupy a
field that is peculiarly our own. Every de-
nomination is rallied around banner bear
ing different motto. On our banner is
inscribed the Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man. BY this sign we shall
go forth to conquer The opportunity for CEN
tenary offerings comes but once in a lifetime
and unless we give now, we shall never have
a like opportunity Schools must be main
tanned; missionaries sent out; our arms must
not be folded now; the more we give the
greater will be our ability to give. He was
glad that the effort to raise the burden of dett
from this particular Society was now to prove
successful.
Rev W. A. p. Dillingham; of Chicago, for
nerly pastor of the Universaist church in
this city, called upon. He said that in
order to appreciate this great movement we
must link it with other great movements
There are three things which seem to be con-
nected-phy steal changes, intelligence, and
the establishment of the church. He drew
lesson from the progress of the children of
Israel, the opening of the Christian di>pensa-
ton. invention of the printing press, and
showed the influence OF these improvements
on spiritual things. He urged entire conse-
Grafton TO the work.
The 3G2d hymn was sung.
Rev. Mr.. Skinner of Watervile was next
called upon, and addressed the meeting at
considerable length. He said that since the
centenary year began one church per wee X
had been buih or repaired. We ought to i'm
prove this food tide in our affairs. Thought
it was time to give money while earning it,
and not wait to bequeath it at death. The
speaker, like the others, referred in aPpropri-
ate language to the great changes in religious
societies during the past hundred years.
After the singing of hymn, the Rev DR.
Miner, of Boston, who had arrived in the |
afternoon train, was called to the stand and
spoke for an hour or more. He said lie was
happy to stand for the first time in the Capt.
tai OF Maine Under the exigcncy that Is upon
us, as Uniyersalists, we are engaged in an inn
portant work. The exigency is not on ac-
count of the fathers who had sacrificed so
much for the cause; they were suited to their
hour and their work. Neither is the cXigency
on account of the clergymen or laymen of
the day. They are worthy sons of noble
sires. 1t has grown upon us by reason of our
history and the labor which has been perform
cd. 1t calls upon us to appreciate our situa-
ton and bear our burdens chcerfuy. As
Universalists we have responsibilities which
we cannot shake off. Are we ready to take
them up?
Universalsm is not an accidental growth.
Four thousand years before Christine seeds
of preparation were planted They have
terminated slowly. Christianity did not
spring up with a rush; it took years to ma
turc it and make way for the coming of Jesus
Christ TO give direction to the work, and to
plant truth in the hearts of men. Along the
years until the reformation, it made slow pro-
grcss. Cniversalism has been provid cnially
preserved. 1t did not grow out of antagonism
to present religious sects. We are bound
together by no antagonistic bonds, but by the
bonds of infinite love, embracing angels and
men, gray-haired sires and tender children,
obedient and disobedient, building up into the |
stature of perfect manhood.
We are here lin ali these responsibilities. |
We have done nothing of which we may boast,
but must thank God for progress 1t has been
said that our progress had been slow, COM
pared with the Methodist denomination, of
about the same age as ours; but this is no fit
ting test. Repugnance to extreme Calyinism
th,1i finn