Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-23
THE UNIVkRSALISIS,

Tho General Convention of tho Unite
States II. Session Mi,sneapolis-Svnop
sis of Business Transacted Yesterday.
The general convention Of the Universal
lists of the United States assembled in Mime
apolis yesterday. The sessions were held i
the Church of the Redeemer, and the atten
dance during the day was very large. As
is the first convention of this denomination
ever held in the State the people are DOM
all in their power to make it success, an,
will endeavor to make the visit of the dele
gates as pleasant as possible.
The business transacted yesterday was O.
no special Importance outside the conven
ton, as the greatest portion Of the time wa!
occupied in organizing and preparing tn
work for to-day and tomorrow.
The morning session was opened at
O'Clock with general praise meeting.
At $50 the convention proper proceeded
follows:
President-Hon. Israel Washburn.
Vice President-Mr. Russell Blakeley, O.
St. Paul.
Secretary-S. T.. Demorest, of New Hamp
shire.
Some bushes necessarily had to be trans
acted, and then the communion service wal
conducted by Rev. j. Fl. futile and Rev
Geo. 81. Deere. Rev. Mr.. Deere addressed {
few remarks appropriate to the occasion tt
the assembly, in which he explained the sig
nifcance of the ceremony. Prayer was of.
tered and the bread and wine, symbolical of
the body and blood of the Saviour, were
partaken of by the convention.
hymn was sung and then Rev. A. J.
Patterson, of Massachusetts, delivered an
interesting and very impressive sermon.
The subject was, .sYe see your Calling, Breth-
rem" lst Cor, 1925. "Give diligence to
make your calling and election sure" 2nd
Peter, lilo.
After speaking of the extension OF the
church, the unity and harmony that must
the Sabbath was discussed, and finally the
church about as follows:
As religious power the Catholic church has
seen its day. II has still some political inlu-
ence, but it has ceased in large measure to lie
the guardian of souls. Even in Protestant
England the church service is neglected. The
people tire of the tedious repetitions, and have
deserted the sanctuaries. The great masses of
the people, even in Christian England, are
wandering as sheep without a shepherd. All
over Europe skepticism is stealing in.
in the old beliefs. Science and the central
doctrines of the evangelical church can never
go hand in hand. The old time interpretations
of the bible are in conflict with the revela-
lions of science, in earth and air,
in sea and sky. Amid ali
this conflict of opinion between science and
superstition our church has stood unmoved.
We have been certai that no foundation stone
would be shaken by scientific investigation
Our faith has shown clearer and brighter with
each new ray of light which scientific progress
has flashed upon it. The bible, as we inter
pre- it, has not suffered. A church which has
such faith and such system of interpreta-
ton is evidently called in the providence of
God to stand between superstition on the one
hand and skepticism on the other and save
men from each evil tendency by uniting them
in calm, reverend rational and living faith
in G"d. This, the Universalist church will do
if it is true to its high calling. Il is what the
world needs to-day-to marry the bible and
science, to marry faith and reason.
At the afternoon session the time was oc.
cupied in listening to the reports of trus-
t. es and treasurers and the transaction of
some business appertaining to the interests
of the convention.
In the evening the church was packed full
with an audience eager to listen to the SER
mon of Rev. DR.. Miner, of Massachusetts.
To-day will be the most interesting of the
week, and the programme is as follows:
$3.50 A. M.-Praise and prayer meeting, to
close at 9:45.
1000 A. M.-Business of the convention.
2:3O P. M.-Service of song aud praise.
2:45 P. M.-Business of the convention.
1880 P. M.-Mass meeting. Hon. Israel Wash
burn, of Maine, presiding; subieot-"What
shall we do then?" a. As to personal religion,
Rev. DR.. Ryder, of Illinois; B.. As to educa-
sion, Rev. Dr.. Rexford, of Ohio; c. As to mis-
sions, Rev. Henry W. Rugg, of Rhode Island.