The New York herald., 1870-10-21
RELIGIOUS CONVENTIONS.



UNITARIAN CONFERENCE.
Proposed Amendment or the Ninth Article ON
the Statement Of BcIicf-NIotion by Rov.
Mr.. May, Of Ncwburyport, Opposing Rev.
MIR. Hepworth's Amendment.
The Conference held its second morning session
AZ ten O'Clock A. M, yesterday in the Church OF the
Messiah All The delegates, TO the number OF GOT,
both ladies' and gentlemen, were present. and tho
attendance was very large, IN spite Of the uniavor
aDie weather, an animated discussion on the ques-
tion Of creed being anticipated.
Judge Henry Chaplin. OF Worcester, Mass, acted
~ temporary president.
The session was opened with a prayer by Inc Rev.
James Clarke, OF Boston, Mass, after which the Rev.
Mr. Hepworth came forward ana proposed the fol-
lowing
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 4#nu
That all the OF the article be omitted and the
following substituted our NJ epiancc 10
spirit and The widest practical oo-operaon we unite 70 our
isow,hp all those who profsu and call themselves Chris
The speaker said:-I want TO alter the ninth arti-
Gle Of the constitution in order to draw all of MS into
q closer union and with the desire Of increasing
brothcrly love, We therefore, after long considera
ton, have decided To submit to YOU this change.
When the ninth section Of the constitution 1t
stands was framed we were weary, our minds were
tired out; but after calmly considering IL we ought
to to the conclusion that It Is unfortunate in
its expression and does not embody the spirit Of
those who had charge OF It's framing. The spirit Of
liberation, which is embodied IN the article as it
now stands, claims our sympathy. We do not want
10 forge manaces for the minds or Others. We pro-
pose TO stand by the Gospel OF Jesus Christ and by
Jesus Christ as embodied IN the Gospel Not that
we love Caesar less. but that we love Rome more.
In order to promote the spirit OF liberation have
so altered the ninth article that it is not
nd
clique; its object is TO express our good will
to every man who Is willing TO do honest Christian
WORK In cooperation with w. We d0 not only pro.
less to believe In liberty, but wc have embodied
liberty in our body ecciesiastc. The characteristics
OF our Unitarian denomination have always been
Christ and liberty The amendment, as present il,
places the Unitarian denomination on an indubit-
ably Christian basis. There is not single indy-
dual present who does not desire TO do
that much. One main object or this proposition
should be emphasized; it is. tiat as Conference we
should put ourselves on Christian basis; thai all
those who worked for the creation Of this Con.
ference are willing TO give their votes upon solid
In our body; no blue coat and regulation buttons;
we only desire TO rally under the glorious nag or
Christ. we are ready to give the body our hearts
or Christ without liberty.
WITH CHRIST AND LIBERTY
we shall march forward TO victory and our funre
will be grander than oar past.
The next speaker was the Rev. CHARLES LOVE-
who heartily seconded the proposition OF Mr. Hep
worth.
Rev. Mr.. CLARKE, Of Boston, and Rev. Mr.. CAL
THRoP, OF Syracuse, and MIR. NIGHTINGALE spoke
III favor OF MIR. Hepworth's motion
Rev. Mr.. MAY, Of Nowburyport, Mass, sad:-
There ls doubt in my mind as 10 what constitutes
Christian. have been brought up in the belef
that 1t meant perfect liberty OF thought The amend.
ment OF MIR. Hepworth proposes that We should bc
required 10 call ana profess ourselves Christians.
stand Oh q broader ground. | cannot cooperate
with the body II the amendment as proposed by Mr..
| jIepworth be passed, and | move that the ninth
article be retained as IL now stands, z.:--"To
secure the largest unity OF spirit and The
widest practicai cooperation, II is hereby declared
that all the declarations OF Ibis conference nclud
ing The preamble, are expressions only OF Its ma
orty, committing in no degree those VINO object 60
them, and dependent wholly for Their effect upon the
consent they command on their merits from the
churches here represented or belonging within the
ment:--"Provldcd that nothing IN In, article be
construed to remove this conference from It's Chris
tian basis"
| Rev. Mr.. FnoTHNGHAM, of Brooklyn, combated
the views OF The iast speaker. He saldI call Christ
my Master, not rs the tyrant Of my soul, but my
lowing amendment OF Mr.. HepwOrih's proposition:-
After The words ITO invite TO our fellowship all
| those who unite with Jesus in building Gods kim.
| DOM
Rev. DR.. BELLOWS made q conciatory speech.
] He said:-We desire to keep you ailwithin the limits
| OF our denomination, anu pay the utmost Difference
10 the scrupes OF both sides OF the body. If are
10 have Christianity defined fabric will pun TO
| pieces. it should define Itself in our minds ana
| consclences.
Rev. RoBERT LAIRD COLLIER recommended that
the amendments OF Rev. MI. May and Rev. Mr.
rockingham be Withdrawn and Mr.. Hepworthis
substitute OF the ninth article be passed by unanI
nous vote.
Rev. Mr.. CoRDNoR from Montreal, spoke IN favor
OF Mr. Hepworths proposition
Rev. Mr.. CHADWICK, OF Brooklyn, recommended
Mr.. HepwOrih's motion as amended by Rev. Mr.
rockingham.
Rev. Mr.. COGGswElL and Rev. LYMAN SHoREY
spoke IN favor OF the nintn article II now stands
after which the meeting adjourned 10 partake vi
refreshments.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
was opened at two O'Clock with prayer by Rev.
FREDERICK FROTHiNGnAM, of Buffalo, n. Y.
Rev. Mr.. MAY, OF Syracuse continued the discus
sion OF the same subject
Mrs. JULIA WARD HOWE, Rev. Mr. MussEY, OF
Cambridge, and Rev. Mr. SPAULDING, advocated the
retaining OF the ninth article as II now stands
Rev. Mr.. VICARS recommended the amendment
as proposed by Mr. Frothlngham.
Rev. Mr.. AIMEs, OF California, said he did not re-
sent II If any one called him Christian. II by Chris
tianity was meant any obstruction to Gol's truths,
then he planted himself fairly and sGuarey OUTSIDE
Christianity.
AT this stage Of The proceedings Rev. Mr. FRO
THINGHAM, with the permission ol the Conference
withdrew hls amendment, anu vote was taken on
Rev. Mr. Mays proposition. Tcllers were appointed
and the result was-2l6 votes against ls9.
The proposition OF the ninth article az amended
by Rev. Mr.. May, to form part OF the constitution,
was then put to the Conference with the following
result:-Vote In favor 2l6; against lSg. This is
virtually a defeat OF Mr.. Mays amendment which
requires tWothird vote TO be placed in the const-
iutiOD
The Conference then adjourned.
The third morning Session VIII open to-day al ten
O'Clock A. NJ, when Rev. Mr.. Hcpwortn VIII have
the floor and renew his proposition.
TlE NEW YORK PI2EsBNFERiAss II srssleX,