The New York herald., 1874-09-16
THE UNIVERSALIST CONVENTION.
Appointment OF Commi ttees, Statistics
and Financial Condition of the DE.
nnmI n n ion-ISt.o q ra m Inc for To-dau


Appointment OF Committees, Statistics
and Financial Condition of the DE.
nomInntion-Progra mmc for To-day.
The General Convention OF Universallsts In the
United States opened its sessions yesterday MORN
Ing IN the church OF the Divine Paternity Filth
avenue and ForSy-hfth street (Dr. Chapn'sl. A
prayer meeting. which lasted one hour, preceded
the business meeting. About 400 delegates are
expected, bur not half that number was present at
lne opening session yesterday, and the majority or
them represent New YORK city or State. Prom-
hent among the delegates present are Revs. f.
rlsher' oil canton; L. J. Fletcher, OF Buffalo; G. F.
Lee oUca; j. W. keyes, Auburn; G. h. Stocking,
syracuse; DR.. Chaplin OF this city; DR..
Asa sake, ol Rochester, n. Y; Rev. W. c. Blddle
Vi Lynn MASS; Dr. Sawyer, President or Turts
DIVINITY school, and DR.. Miner President OF TuYt,s
CoiIegei Dr' l.. H. Capen, of Providence, X. l. DIR.
Ryder ana Dr. Bolles, OF Massachusetts: Revs C.
fiuhrer' d. NJ !uIman and L. C. Sweetser, OF this
city; H. r. Nye, j. Il. Wilson and A. Cunnison or
Brooklyn; Rev. Washington Hooper and Rev. DIR.
Brooks, OF Philadelphia; Rev. c. H. FAY. OF the
District OF Columbia; i; Rev. Mr.. Crossey OF Indiana,
together with number OF prominent laymen and
few ladies. for the Universallsts make no dis
tncton in their representation on account Of SEX
There was fair attendance at the prayer meet
ing, which was led in suppl alton by the Rev. A.
r. Nye. OF Brooklyn who retuI ned thanks Tor the
benefits received IN the past and implored the
divine blessing and favor upon their present
gathering. After the singing OF hymn Mr.. Nye
read scripture lesson, Romans XX., ana DR..
Chapin then onefed prayer Short remarks were
made by some oi the Delegates on the prospects OF
the Convention and the work before t and the
pleasure IT gave lne speakers TO be present on
THE BUSINESS SESSION
was called to order by the Rev. Mr. Pullman, the
permanent secretary, and the proceedings opened
WIN prayer offered by Rev las Bailey, OF Read
ing, Pa. The roll OF delegates then called
after which an election for officers by ballot took
place. The choice OF the Convention fell upon
Generai oiRey me- Lawnence OF Rhode Island for
Vice President, and Revs w. Hooper and O.
fluhrer. Assistant Secretaries. DR.. Brooks, OF
Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee OF Ar
rangements. then reported the order OF services
Tor the Convention, which was approved. The
following committees were then appontcd =
on Elections-Rev Mr. Crossey. Indiana; D. c.
Tomiinson, OHIO, and Mrs: J. D. Mde. Michigan.
Pennsylvania: H. X. Nye, Brooklyn; Il. o. Sweet
ser, New York, and A: Gunnlson, Brooklyn:
on Unfinished BuSflteSS-Revs. j. NJ. Pullman.
New York: q. II. Fay, District of Columbia, and
Mr. J. s. Hussey. Connecticut.
Island and Dr.. Il. Fisher of Canton, N. Y
The bar OF the Convention was then liked, after
which the secretary read the MINUTES of the last
General Convention, which were slightly modified
and adopted An amendment to the constitution
was called up. which provides for change in the
time of holding the General Convention rom the
third Tuesday In September to the Wednesday
preceding the fourth Sunday IN October This
duenumenJ was before Tue last convention, out
was not acted upon. IL rs designed to give more
ample time ana better opportunity to absentees
and pieasure-soekers to be home and arrange
their business 50 as to attend The sessions OF the
Convention. Tne amendment was laid on the
table.
a committee obituaries was appointed con-
ssting oi Messrs q. W. Qulmby, j. W. Hanson ana
L. Hathaway.
STATISTICS AMP FINANCES.
The Treasurer's and Secretary's and trustees
reports were presented at the afternoon session.
They show that the receipts during the year
amounted to s22,525 and the disbursements to
$l9,S53. There is indebtedness the Con-
ventlon OF SIS. 700. The Murray Centennial Fund
amounts TO Sl2o. 900. There are % State Conven-
tlons and "a associations in aliaton with the
General Convention These represent 95l parishes.
63S churches and 657 ministers, 1880 members,
66l sunday schools. containing 54.532 pupils and
officers, 76l secular places OF worship, and the
value of the Church property is s7,s4o,447. The
denomination sustalns lour colleges and Il literary
institutions. which employ 9sprolessors and teach
ers, and the estimated value OF this prop
perty Is $2,295,ooo The denomination sup
ports also five weekly, one bi-weekly
and two monthly publications. and u publishing
house in Boston, whose net assets amount to
| s37s76. The Murray Centennial Fund was started
| in 1862 when 1t was proposed in the General Con-
sum should be expended to and theological
! students. the erection and sustentation OF
! churches and the dissemination OF denomnational
| literature.
The Convention scattered in the evening to
| listen to sermons preached by Dr. Sawyer IN the
Beecker street church and by DR.. Miner in the
Church OF our Father, Brooklyn, ana to prepare
business for to.days sessions. The Convention
will open this morning at balfpast eight O'Clock
with prayer meeting TO continue one hour. The
business session will commence at hali-past nine
A. NJ, and at eleven A. NJ. DR.. Capen. OF Provi-
dence, will preach the occasional sermon before
the Convention. AT three O'Clock "a social reunion
Will be held IN the lecture room OF DR.. Chapin's
church and at hall-pa seven P. NJ a mass meet
ing will be held in the church Itself, at which ad.
dresses will be delivered by Drs. Chaplin, Miner,
Ryder Bolles and MesArs. Pullman and Frotning-
ham.