The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-27
ANOTHER IDEA norm IN BOSTON
The Religion Of federation Espoused by the
Rev. Adirondack Murray.

Boston. May 2G.-The Rev. w. II. II. Muir
ray in Music Hail. to-day. unfolded his plan for
q new Church, that in his belief, New England
stands in need Of He was fortunate in having
been bred and educated where theological
antagonisms and UNCONVENTIONAL differences
were unknown. and when he came to Boston. no
could not understand the feeling on the part of
cvangelicals that made certain words have the
significance of epithets. To him the word
Universalist" denoted simply branch Of the
family Of Christ that held 70 n moro hopeful
opinion touching the salvation OF man than he
did The word Unitarian" WAS n mystery to
him and is yet mystery. Spiritualist' de-
scrbed. to his mind, people who believe what
all Christians believe. and something moro that
most Christians do not believe. As to the spirit
world. with plenty Of spirits in it. that he had
always accepted; that the spirits could make
themselves manifest TO MS in the flesh, he re-
garded ms u harmless and sometimes bcnevo-
lent dclusion. He had found that in all tho
denominations good predominGted. ami his
efforts had been To push aside whatever differ
ences existed and bring about Il union OF all
Christian souls on q natural Christian basis
Tho Church he had i2rmrd was morg than
world as far as II wnf benevolent and reverent.
and as far ms II loved God and man. \ Hndoo
priest II he was CHARACTERIZED by these was "A
full brother, and Il priest OF Rome. native or
foreign born. was entitled to a chair aud plate
The speaker fancied that the time had already
come for a church that should represent tho
unity OF the worlds future rather than tho
divisions of the past 1t should not be parish
church with simply local following.
The parish church beginning with the town
ship system of New England could not do the
work required Of IL ina metropolis. Only about
fifty per cent OF the Protestant population OF the
New England cities attend any religious ser
vice. and not over onc-half o. the sttiugs OF the
parish churches are occupied. The churches
in Boston are not 50 well iilled on the sabbath
now as they were forty years ago The tnult is
not in the people. but In the system Of religious
administration. and the system must accommo-
date itself TO the people.
In the new plan economic considerations
must not he overlooked. Endowments had
proved a failure. aud the speaker disiavored
pew rental. Under the operation OF the latter
The churches were becoming thp property of the
rich. and the poor have not the Gospel preached
10 them His plan did moi include the building
privileges could be enjoyed by those outside
we'll rs inside the city limits. Boston. WOrces-
ter. and Springlcld. and every city and village
and hamlet on the face Of the earth whence
son or daughter should como lourneying to the
centre would give names TO lis msinbcrship
known as a creed, All who worship God with
reyerrnt minds who believe in the Son a. II
revelation of Himselfi who strive, ~ moved by
the spirit. 20 live godly lives. would be eligible
10 become members. His plan did not conteIn-
plato building "a denOminauonal church. He
belonged to only one denomination. the Chris
tian denomination. In his ministerial capacity
Methodist. or Baptist. or Episcopalian. or Rit-
ualist meant Christian. then he, rs minister,
was all OF these. he was in fellowship with
them all. far Hs they represented the true
nature and purpose of the Christ
The speaker proposed that 400 benevolent
| persons of Boston should each subscr be $500 (;
| that they should be regarded and held in re-
membrance as the founders of the enterprise.
| their names being properly displayed within
the edifcc itself the 5000 0OO thus raised 10 be
| intrustcd 10 the keeping Of twelve trustees. Of
| whom the Governor OF the State should always
| be Chairman. the eleven others 10 be chosen by
| the 400 founders. and to be taken from the SOW
| eral denominations OF the country AZ impair
| italy as could hs arrasced. iiy,- trom Borson
and six from the New England States at large.
| one from each State only through death or
resignation any Va 'ancy TO occur. and - he
! filled by the remaining members Of the board.
| To the control oi these twelve men thus elected
| should be committed the temporal affairs of the
! Church. The building contemplated should be
| of stone and capable of seating 5000 persons.
| the seats so arranged that each on" might com
! mand an unimpeded view oi the platform. The
| platform should be capable ot seating 1000
| singers. and the organ the best that can be
| built