National Republican., 1883-10-24
Meetings Preliminary to The Convention Which
Assemblies This Morning.
The Women's Centenary Association
and the Work It Has Done.
Addresses by Rev. MesSrs. Capon and Hayden on
Education and the Ministry
List OF Delegates who Have Arrived
Programme for To-day.

was commenced, Mrs. NJ. Louise Thomas, of
Philadelphia, the president IN the chair.
Mrs. Rev. Caroline a. Soule opened the ses-
sion by prayer.
The report Of the recording secretary was
read and adopted. The treasurer, Mrs. NJ. A.
Adams, of Massachusetts,, showed the
finances of the association TO be in healthy
and ilourishing condition. During tho year
$4,000 has boon collected in dues and $4,000
was given by Miss II. IL. Fay for an organ for
the church in this city.
The report brought good cheer to the mem
bers, and was adopted unanimously.
very gratifying report of the publishing
company was made showing progress in the
good work of sending out tracts. letters and
papers. Fully 100000 pages of tracts have
been scattered broadcast over the world by
which means the religion of Jesus Christ has
reached those mostly in need Of IL.
Mrs. Soule and Mrs. Thomas spoke con-
corning the distribution of these papers,
showing that the labor performed in this
direction had been long and indefatigable
On calling for the reports of vice presidents
a very encouraging letter was read from Mrs.
g. A. Quinby, of Maine. Mrs. NJ. l.. Draper
of Massachusetts,, made few remarks on the
progress Of tho association in her state, say
ing tersely that the blessing comes from tho
little things we do Alright.
Mrs. L. ID. Tomlinson, substitute for Mrs
IL. L. Lough, vice president for Ohio, gave o
good report of matters in the Buckeye state
Satisfactory reports were received from Illi-
nois, Texas, and Kansas. From the latter
state and the District of Columbia Mrs. Barnes
and Mrs. Emily l.. Sherwood, respectively,
gave glowing reports of progress. In the new
church in which they met the organ, the
stand, the book upon it have been the gifts
of women. The money collected was more
than the amount asked for, and the labors of
the ladies here in this city had been amply
rewarded.
Tho ranort r.o,,, +bn trrstoos or tI,o Tr,,;vo.
salist missionary post at Glasgow Scotland,
was very gratifying TO the members in this
country. The committee on nominations
reported the following named ladies for Off
GERS of the executive board President Mrs.
nj. l.. Thomas, of Philadelphia; recording
secretary, Mrs. L. G. Browne, of New York;
corresponding secretary Mrs. o. Z. Contwcll,
Massachusetts,; northwest corresponding Sec
rotary, Mrs T. d. Tomlnson, vice Mrs. L. r.
Hanson, Chicago; treasurer, Mrs. NJ. l.. Deane,
District of Columbia; publishing committee,
Mrs. Q. A. Soule, president emeritus.
A rising vote of thanks was given Mrs. M.
A. Adams, the retiring treasurer; also Mrs.
Hanson. A public meeting will be held in
the church Thursday. Immediately after the
morning session of the convention, when
Mesdames Soule, Thomas, Barnes, Hanna
ford, and others will address the meeting.
The object of this association is to promote
the interests of the Universalist church
throughout the world, and particularly in
the United States, and it has vice presidents
IN every state, territory, and district in this
country, as we'll as in the United Kingdom
and Canada.
The Universalist general conference was
pretaced last night by two very interesting
lectures-the first by Rev. L. II. Capen, d. D.,
president of Tufts college, Massachusetts, on
Our Schools" and the other entitled "The
Ministry" by Rev. G. A. Hayden, of Maine.
After singing by the choir and prayer the
regular pastor. DIR. Kent in few wclcom-
ing remarks, introduced Rev. T.. III. Capen,
who said: There is no subject of moro vital
Importance or more to the hearts of Univer-
salists than our schools. Our denomination
must live by their institutions, and no body
of Christians ever illustrated this truth
clearer than Universalists.
The people are interested in this subject,
and the men of the olden times who held to
the truth of our faith looked forward to the
time when institutions for the purpose of
training men to carry forward and advocate
our faith and principles in clear and intel
lectual manner would be established. Our
publishing houses turn out books, periodicals,
and papers in great numbers and we must
place our colleges on the same or equal footing
with other great institutions of the land The
endowments must be generous and large, that
we may be able to send forth strong, true,
intelligent, substantial men to preach.
A short time ago we were byword and re-
branch of the Christian tree and that VIC are
doing the work of Christ.
The progress made in and by our schools in
the east and west is simply astonishing.
Large sums of money have been donated and
hundreds of young men have been educated.
The people are looking to the duty
before them. These matters arc com
ing before them in u new light.
We are living in an age of progress, and
nothing is seen more plainly than the progress
of education. The college which wishes to
succeed must move with the age Taft's col
lege, Massachusetts,; st. Lawrence university,
New York; Buchtel college, Ohio; Lombard
university, Illinois; Dean academy, Massa-
chusetts Westbrook seminary, Maine God
dard seminary, Vermont, and Clinton Liberal
institute, New York, are among the institu-
tions of learning controlled by the Univer-
salsts.
Young men are too anxious to hasten into
the ministry. The men who go into the
ministry must be capable to cope with minis
ters of every other denomination and to do
so successfully they must first be thoroughly
educated The speaker closed by saying you
must do your duty-see that you raise the
standard of ministerial educatiOn-so the
minister may be able to teach you the word
of God as it should be taught.
Rev, G.. A. Hayden said as to the ministry
that there is u call for ministers from ali
sides, but there are plenty of ministers and
churches what we want in our ministers ID
earnestness Throw your whole soul into the
work The people want what they believe
The minister has not the time TO solve the
; questions of scientists nor answer those of the
doubter. The point to gain is this; Declare
the message of the gospel as you understand
it. Our power Is Gods power, and this power
is our faith in Gods power within us. Men
are wanted to preach the gospel rs IL is and
nothing more nor less,
What we want is brave, sincere men tC
emphasize the truth, and we want it told and
emphasized in every path.
The conference proper begins this morning
and the following is tho programme:
Mnrnlng-s:3O, Introductory conference meeting
10, organization Of the conventions 1880, commu.
nion service--Rev, Alex Kent, the pustor, Oflciat
lug; II, occasional services-Rey Henry w. kugg
OF Rhode Island.
Aflernoon-13O, reports of the board of trustees
treasurer, ana special committees ana business
the convention.
Evenlng-7:90, gddresses-Church Method. Rev.
W. S. Grove, OF Illinois; The outlook, Rev. ii, II,
Nye, OF Pennsylvania.
Fourteen states and Canada are represented
and the following are the names of the min
listers and delegates present last night:
Maine-Revs. /. ]. Meade, H. S. Whmen, II. A
Phiibrook, c. A. Hayden and ii. BlRchard, and
ten laymen.
New Hampshire--Revs. r. T. Polk, o. z. Reisi
and Dr. McAllster, and five laymen,
Vermont t--Reys J. n Emery, H. s. Rice, l..
Massaohp psetts--Revs. G. w. Biddle, ", A. start
Miner. Eddy. COuen. Harris q. H. Lee, w. s.