The Portland daily press., 1881-05-10
IN RE COUSINS.
Two Protests from Universalists.
WHAT THE SECRETARY SAYS

WHAT THE SECRETARY SAYS.
Mr.. Editor:-It has been announced that
Rev. Mr.. Cousens of Bridgton is to be sup
ported in that village as an Independent
preacher and that the Universalist church is to
be opened for his use. 1t is only just to all
parties to state that the authority for such use
of that church does not come from the Univer-
salist parish in Bridgton, the members of which
have no fellowship with the movement. The
parish has been temporarily dispossessed of its
church by the action of corporate body that
holds a claim against it for money loaned to
make repairs on the church. Last year. while
the writer hereof was its pastor, the parish
raised what was understood to be sum suffi-
Gent to liquidate the claim referred to-all it
could raise-bnt the majority of the directors
of the monied institution, in formal meeting,
voted not to accept the sum raised and ten
dered, and demanded a considerable advance.
Therefore the hands of the parish have been
tied for a season, and the corporation gives
leases of the church property.
Yours truly, IL. MEAD,
Sec Me. Univ. Convention.
NOT UNIvERsALIsT MOVEMENT.
BRmGToN, May s, 1881.
Mr.. Editor:-It is possible that from recent
publications relating to the independent re-
v ". vi.
Cousens, some injustice may be done the Uni
versalst society of this village. 1t is. stated
that ''the Universalist church has been ell
gaged' for the services: and some of our
friends abroad have received the impression
that the Universalists of Bridgton are in SYM
pathy with the movement. This is not the
case. On the contrary, every member of that
society enters solemn protest against such
Dissertation of their house of worship.
1t should be stated that on account of finan.
cial embarrassments the Universaist society is
not now in control of the church. The Bridg-
ton Savings Bank holds mortgage on the
property and has taken possession. No SER
vice has been held in the church for several
months. The society owns the furniture of
the church, including the organ, carpets cush-
ions, ETC., and when it was known that the
bank had offered to let the church to preach
er expelled from the pulpit and fellowship of
sister denomination for Immoral and unchris-
tian conduct" preparations were at once made
by the Universalist society to remove from the
church every article of every description
owned by the society," programme which
will be speedily consummated when it is fully
determined that the church is to be opened to
Mr.. Cousens, as it never will be with the as
sent of the Unversalist society.
1t is understood that the attitude of the Uni
VeTSallst ksoclety TOWARDS Vno movement, TO-
gether with the vigorous handling of the case
in the PRESS OF Saturday. has given to the
independent" movement its quietus. The
public sentiment of the village is certainly
strongly opposed to so mischievous proceed
ing.
The new Methodist pastor, Rev. Francis
Grosvenor, commenced his ministerial labors
on Sunday. He was very cordially received
by an unusually large audience, and it is
thought he will receive the cordial support and
sympathy OF a united society, despite the un-
pleasant controversy which thas been created
by the trial and expulsion of the former pas
tor UNIvERSALIST.