The Portland daily press., 1878-10-09
The Slate Uai.arian Conference


The Maine State Conference Of Unitarian
churches began its session in the Unitarian
church, Saco, with sermon by Rev. j. T. w.
Ware of Boston, Monday night. The church
was well filed with an audience that listened
with close attention to Mr. Wares able sermon.
The preacher considered how our Unit arian
churches and new ones which may be estab-
lished, can be filed with believing, willing aud
happy congregations 1t was frankly stated as
the opinion Of the speaker that the denomina-
ton as a sect has not held its own, at least in
the old centres. He attributed this falling off
in numbers to the Indifference of the laymep.
The churches are mainly sustained by ministers
and women. If the churches are to regain
their strength the laymen must taks an active
part. Further, If the denomination is to grow
it must become mission church. Max Muller
has shown that only those religions have sur
vived which have been missionary or their
nature. So, said the speaker, will it be with
sects. II the Unitarian denomination would
revive and become power it must push for
ward and make its views known. Before this
can be done, however, the preacher insisted
that there must be some definite statement of
those truths which Unitarians unite in believ-
ing. This must not be Of the nature Of creed
used as test of fellowship, bat an affirmation
Of positive belief UDitarians are charged with
having no affirmative faith; their doctrine is
said to be one merely of negation. This is not
so. They have faith adapted to the wants of
the people. Unless this is explicitly stated and
enthusiastically put forward the denomination
will surely die out. The effect of this candid
review Of the Unit aran position was not to dis
courage the advocates of Unitarian views, but
to revive them to new activity. They were re-
minded that they have a grand belief, bat it
must be grandly believed.
At half-past eight yesterday morning
prayer and conference meeting was held in the
church conducted by Rev. r. R. Shipren of
Boston. Remarks were made by Rev. Messrs.
Ware, Vinal and Sheldon. At the close of the
the hour followed report of the treasurer, M.
P. Emery of this city, aud ira nsacton Of bust
ness.
The conference then listened to an essay on
missionary Work." by Rev. G. W. Back of
this city. The views of the essayist accorded
very nearly with those presented BY Rev. Mr..
Ware on the preceding evening. He empha-
sized the need of simple statement of Unita-
rian faith. A brief sketch of the Uoitarian
movement was presented. Daring the early
period of Unitarian, which he characterized as
'exodus" the hody was held together by mega
tions of doctrine from which it dssented. In
the development OF the Unitarian denomination
a time has come. which the writer termed the
period of 'corqaest," when something positive
is needed. 1t must carry its definite simple
faith to the people. The essayist put the mat
ter practically before the conference by propos-
ing that committee be appointed to consider
the subject of formulating statement of faith
to be reported at the next annual meeting.
The essay was followed by discussion of the
subject treated. in which Rev. G. G. Vinal of
Kennsbunk, Rev. Mr.. Vincent of New York,
Rev. J. A. Bellows of Waterville, Mr.. Geo. f.
Talbot of this city, Rev. NJ. j. Savage Of Bos-
ton, Rev. r. R. Shipper of Boston took part.