National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-15
UNITARIAN TALK.
The Conference at All Soals' Chureh-The
Forward Look OF UnifarrnnIsm.


A Unitarian Conference was held at All
Souls Church yesterday morning, and was opened
with devotional exercises led by Rev. Mr.. Wilson,
of Salem, Mass Hon. G. B. Loring presided. The
morning was taken up with an interesting discus
sion of an essay by Rev. Mr.. Hornbrooke, on
Christianity Larger than its Interpretations" The
evening session of the Unitarian Conference at All
Souls Church was attended by large congrega-
ton, although not so great Ill numbers as on the
previous night. There were many Unitarian min
listers present, despite the fact that number Of
them had left for home on the afternoon train.
The evening was given up to addresses on IS Uni
tarianism and Its Forward Look" DR.. Shipper
opened the meeting. briefly speaking of the pro-
gress of the church in Washington; that the Uni
tarians had gathered the idea of conference from
Methodists. As a class, Unitarians had been too
fond of peace, and shank from controversy. They
now were anxious to propagandizes to show the
rest OF the world how glorious was the peace OF
UnItaranSm, and to invite others to partake OF It.
He read letter from William Ellery Claiming
written in 1922 showing the stay at-home spirit OF
Unitarianism fifty years ago. They had made
progress, however, in those fifty years, and the
meeting tonight was what might be truly styled
missionary meeting
After the singing of hymn by the consrega-
ton Rev. Mr. Ames took the pulpit. Last night,
install the people. 1t takes whole church to
preach the gospel There is difference between
a church whose members arc all intent upon do
ing Gods work and church whose people desire
to make only luxury out of religion. There is
no use in building up church for any purpose
that can be accomplished without it. Its work is
TO transfer human beings from the kingdom OF
Satan TO the kingdom of Christ. The church that
does not take into its hopper gristful of sinners
and turn them out saints is not doing its proper
work 1t is the church's duty to look after the de-
graded and neglected classes, elevate them as far
possible, and prevent increase of that class.
Rev. Mr.. Buckingham said that, while he en-
couraged the missionary idea, he did hot wish the
idea to go forth that they wanted to make all of
Washington UnitarianS. The missionary spirit
was in the imitation of Christ, who went about
doing good. To purify the politics of the leading
classes in this neighbOrhood, to elevate the poti
cal morality of the country to rectify all the evils
which infest aud corrupt socety-that is mission
airy work which benefits the Unitarian
Church. Rev. Mr.. Young, Of California,
said he believed in bigoted Unitariansim. He did
not believe they had had enough bigotry in that
church. He believed in missionary work, in edu
eating their children in the religious faith of their
fathers in holding on with zeal and fervor to the
principles the traditions the spirit of the Unitarian
Church. He believed in bigoted Unitarianism
because he thought from the seed of its principles
would arise fairer plants of religion and morality
than from the seeds of the other faiths.
Rev. Mr.. Reynolds believed that the church was
Goton the high road 10 prosperity, and was not
really strong and powerful, when it was not doing
to elevate and purify the outsiders He
believed that no religious body existed by acct
dent They existed because of necessity for
their existence in the human heart, and hence he
glad at the prosperity and increase of all re-
igiOus bodies But he did believe there was room
Tor UnitarianiSm. 1t was their duty when they |
found souls hungering for the truth, as exhibited
IN Unitarian ideas to minister to them. He re- |
viewed the various branches of missionary work |
N Washington. To assist in the spread of Uni |
arian principles in the South was peculiarly in |
he line of work of this church.
Rev. Dr. Stebbins said there was nothing so |
powerful in society as good life. That was the |
means by which the good work would be fastened. |
The power of pure religious daily life will build
and make thissociety strong better than sweetly
singing choir, famous as yours Isl better than elo- |
luent preacher justly celebrated yours is. The |
ogic of consistent Christian life is the most con-
-incing to the souls of men.
Rev. Mr. Wilson, Rev. Mr.. Humphreys and Rev. |
1r. Powers were the next speakers, the latter |
hosing the conference meeting, which was dis
missed with the benediction by the pastor. Be-
idcs the speakers there were present of ministers
rev. Messrs. J. W. Winkley, Metcalf, Waterhouse,
Io-nbrooke and others.