Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-10-30

the Southern States was opened by Rev O. II.
weld OF baltimore in terse and pithy address.
In working In the South he said. the Southern
character must be considered, differing as ii does
from that Of the East, the West or the Middle
States. The most prominent characteristic of
the Southern mind he pronounced to be conserv-
Atlsm; tender reverence for and chringing TO
all things old, as such. 9. The predominant reli,
gious tendency he should call Oalvinistic, not so
much that that special form OF theology
prevailed, as that the bent of the
| Southern religious mind is to exat
the Divine Attribute of Justice almost to the
overshadowing Of the Infinite Mercy. He con-
sidered 1t necessary that any teacher, desiring
to disseminate broadly liberal religious truths
in the minds of this peculiar people. should be
| able to enter into their feelings to acknowledge
| ing the general truths underlying their sincere
| belief, and from that standpoint interpret them
on higher and broader plane. Mr.. Weld con-
cluded by saving that IL he should construct
map of the United States to suit himself he
should paint the ground work black. illumna-
ting ii with spots and zones of white In Mas
| sachusetts broad circle OF light surrounding
Boston, and stretching it's illumination to Maine
| New Hampshire, and Connecticut, in some mea-
sure, Then a stretch OF darkness, till you
| touch Syracuse. Then spots larger or smaller
| in New York, Philadelphia Chicago; but
all through the South, only feeble little
twinkles and points Of light. OF course by the
he considered the proper name for the religious
| faith taught by their communion. flavor of
| -impcity in the Bostonian and Unitarian point
/ OF view debating these latter remarks, caused
some involuntary Smiles in spite of the admi-
ration inspired by the manner and method of
| the address
| Rev r. r. Shippen followed in an extempo.
raneOus discourse bubbling with animation and
| bristling with anecdote He made some allu-
sion to the meeting being smaller than might
have been expected, but congratulated himself
and the rest, on the conviction that the earnest
ness OF the audience assembled was enough to
make up for any lack OF members; on the princi-
pile Of the man who in bis ordinary state, weighed
| l26 pounds. but - when he was mad, weighed
a ton" MIR. Shippen's remarks were directed to
convincing his audience of the benefit of the
Association. and that it was better to contribute
| to the general fund intrusting the distribution
to the American Unitarian Association, than to
| trust to private management. In proof Of this.
he brought forward the state of affairs at Vine
land which had been previously discussed.
At the close of this ddrsss which was listened
to throughout with much interest and pleasure.
the Rev. j. b. Harrison, of MOntolair, was called
upon for some remarks, and responded by say
ing that, though not prepared to speak upon the
subjects under diecusson he was glad to have
the opportunity of expressing his pleasure in
being present as q visitor to the Conference He
had come to have good time, and good time
he had had and expected to have till the close OF
the meetings Warming as he proceeded, Mr..
Harrison pronounced glowing eulogium upon
the central and grand characteristic of the Unitar
ian churchits sacred regard for the religious lib
erty of all, granting free room for the individ-
uslity OF each mind unchecked by the presence
of prejudice, and the control OF creeds. 1t was
this which was dear 10 him, this which had
drawn him from the Methodist church, where he
had been for ten years pastor. He had been
snug and comfortable enough there, Graded on
tho pillows of ready made belief, but this truth
bad found him out, followed him and shaken
him from his repose. Now he had been stirred
10 wide awake that he did not even believe in
all that his Unitarian friends told him, but he
respected and sympathized with and was one
with them, in the power of the Spirit from whom
come all Divine gifts.
Several epeakers followed with brief remarks
Mary Grew uttered an earnest and weighty
meaning against the dangers of temporizng
suppressng special truths relating to life. in or
der to press general truths OF doctrne.
The Rev G.. Ames earnestly assented to
and pressed still further the lessons of Miss
Crews speech and proceeded in an address Of
much beauty and power, to consider the charac-
ter of the church of liberal Oh istiaus calling
themselves Unlarians. the end and aim OF their
teachings To war with errors of theology was
far less their aim than to press home the pure
morality Of the Founder OF the Chris
tan Faith. In the course of his remarks,
Mr. Ames passed in review the points of Mr.
Yields address, less to criticiAe than to supple
ment them.
After some further remarks by Mrs. Ames and
others, the Conference, on suggestion of Geo
W Stone. the chairman, determined to devote
a part of its next and concluding session to the
practica consideration Of How to Do" the
things which they had 30 eloquently been taught
should be done.
THURSDAY MORNING.
At 80, there was short devotional meeting,
conducted by Mr.. Catlin.
The business sessions of the Conference were
resumed at o'clock, the exercises opening with
an essay upon the Religious Culture of Children,
by Miss Mary Grew. She argued the importance
OF home influence as the basis of true religious
nulturA WArna1 AGAINST the avia nj all h.
eT giving their children too ascetic and gloomy
view Of their religious duties, or, on the other
hand neglectiDg to minister to the higher and
more spiritual part of their nature in their care
to supply the pleasures Of the lower life. She
particularly dwet upon the need OF some modih-
cation Of the Ordinary routine of the Sunday
| school, 30 as to make it more interesting and at
trAoive, and which should also include the older
youth who graduate from the Sunday School into
the Church.
MIR. Harrison asserted that Sunday Schools
must continue to fail 80 long as the idea was to
put things into the children rather than to draw
out and develope what was already there. He
would never supply special religious instruction
| till child hungered for and demanded it. He
thought the mother was the God-appointed min
lister to the Child and her teachings far beyond
all others.
An animated discussion followed these re-
marks, many members contributing their views
and stating their difficulties. Mrs Ames gave
her ideas upon the absolute necessity of apply
ing T6IBlOub anu even tu6OlORtchl 10 lno
training of children, with much grace and clear
| ness, illustrating her remarks with INSTANCES
| and anecdotes. A ripple of pleasant and friend
| ly excitement stirred the meeting.
| George W. Roberts, of Wilmington, read a pa
per on sunday School Work. pointing out what,
| in his opinion were defects in present methods,
and characterizing the children in many schools
az IAN army of unfortunates, led by incapables,"
under conditions which obstruct rather than
| transmit the light.
After this, the discussion continued, taking it's
color and shape partly from the ESSAYS and part
| ly from considerations of "How to Do it, -" how
| best to accomplish the total work of Christian
Church.
Mr. Israel explained the plan lately adopted
/ IN Wilmington, which substitutes for the Sunday
| School free conversational meeting OF old and
/ young, with blackboard exercises every Sunday
| afternoon.
| Mrs. Ames, Miss Grew and Messrs. Stone,
| Roberts and Shippen spoke on the subject and
the time was closely occupied to the moment Of
adjournment.
|, - South New Jersey Affairs,
The potato crop of Cumberland is very large
| this year. s@