National Republican., 1873-09-11

unity which pcrvadcd the demonstration,
these abuses werc Of less frequent occurrence
than might have boon apprehended. Here
and there an unworthy or poorly qualified
man would creep into tho ministry; yet few
Of the sects which have existed In this coun-
try can boast Of ministry so free from I'D
venturcrs and disroputabIe men.
About the year 1Af plan free from the
aforementioned defects was submitted by
the General Convention TO the State Conven-
tions for ratification or rejection. IL failed
Of receiving their approval. The doctrine OF
State rights was fatal to II. Another effort
to the same end, made In the convention Of
1885, also fell through. II was renewed at
| subsequent sessions, and after much Discus
sion and several revisions and amendments,
i II was adopted by the Convention assembled at
Gloucester, September, 1870, In honor of the
one hundrodth anniversary Of the landing OF
John Murray In America. The following
year II vas unanimously ratified by the s,atc
| conventions at their annual sessions, aud Is
now the fundamental ecclesiastical law OF the
Universallst Church.
| The organization as II now Is consists OF q
General Convention, whlchis composed OF the
presidents and secretaries Of the several
State conventions, together with pro rata
representation of clerical aud lay delegates
from each, Of State Conventions existing
within State limits, and Of parishes com
posed Of persons associated for religious I'm
provement and public worship. The supreme
power rests In the General Convention, which
Is the court OF final appeal in all cases Of fel.
lowshlp, discipline and government, The
constitutions Of tho State Conventions are
prescribed, and only varied 10 meet loca
wants and TO conform 10 State laws. Within
their respective limits, subject to the rules oi
the GonetM Convention, they have jurisdlc-
tion over the clergymen and parishes, and
they have sole authority In mattors OF license
fellowship, ordination and discipline, subjec
TO the right Of appeal. A very clear ant
and government 10 prcscribed, so that the
clergymen and parishes Of the remotes
frontier are under the same paternM car,
and subject to the same laws rs those OF thu
Oldest states and the LARGEST cities. Assem-
TO the Winchester Confession IL rcqulred'o
all ecclesiastical bodies, whether conventions
parishes or churches, and Of all candidate
Tor church membership and tie ministry.
The denomination already feels the quick
, euing influences Of the more thorough organ
ization. The General Convention has an In
vested fund Of s120, 900, raised during tn
.. centenary year, and called the Murray fund
Each parish is required to make an aunua
contribution 10 Its finances. 1t has sourc
Of revenue In the missionary boxes, whicl
, ,, are designed to be placed In every Univer
salist family. It Is giving aid to severn
|, pai ishcs In Important localities, as those i
, | washington, Indianapolis, DOS Moincs, &C.
. In their struggles 10 become self-sustaining
!, : and II Is rendering assistance to many youn
!, men preparing for tho ministry, in the thee
!, logical semlnaries Of Canton, N. Y, an
! Tufts college, Massachusetts. As It's reye
nucs from year to year increase, Its abllit
/. to supply tho constant demands for mission
Y ary work, and for aid TO struggling parishes
. will proportionally increase. 1t Il now bu
: Just entering upon the work for which II
4 powors were given. ....
u Besides the State Conventions, the psrishe
= and tho clergy, all working In harmony wilt
= the Convention, there are under Its jurisdlt
4 tion, and experien ling Of Its fostering cart
!, Ave colleges, one Of which TUFTS, nea
" Boston, has an endowment Of not far fror
= e1, ,000, 900; two theological semlnaries, elgf
I academies and preparatory schools, one {
: which CDean, at Franklin, Mass, has asset
!, to the amount Of t300, 900, and corps {
y about one hundred teachers, constantly er
: . gagged In these several Institutions.
|. Tho approaching session Of the Gener,
: . Convention Ia looked forward to In the d,
= nomination with deep interest. Meeting
!. the capital city Of the republic, II is desire
!. and hoped that Its deliberations may great
: contribute to the enlarging and strengthen
! Ing Of the Church OF which 1t is the represel
A tative body.