The Portland daily press., 1884-06-18

State Convention of UniversaIist Churches.
reported for the Press).

(Reported for the Press).
RoCKLAND, June II, 1884.
The Maine Universalist Convention o. ened
in the Universalist church in this city last eve
ming. A large delegation was present regre-
senting many parishes and large number of
clergymen snd laymen.
The session began last evening with SER
mon from the Rev. Henry Blanchard. He
was assisted by Rev. Mr.. Hoyt Of Skowhegan.
A large congregation was in attendance.
Mr.. Blanchard took as his text the 10th verse
Of the 4th chapter Of 1 Timothy-"For, there
fore, we both labor and suffer reproach, to.
cause we trust in the living God, who is the
Saviour of all men, especially of those who
believed" He spoke substantially as follows:
The student of the life of the apostle Paul easily
becomes enthusiastic in his praise. He was truly
man-so noble, so full of courage, peraeverDg so
sympathetic so full of reverence, that in studying
his words and Deeds ones heart is greatly stirred.
What was the secret of his life? What was the secret
OF his power? His faith in God. He believed that
there was One who ruled this universe for good
that i. He % was father who punished His children,
had come to redeem men from sin; that glorious
end would como, the final holiness and happiness of
all men. He needed this great faith as he toiled
and encountered obstacles The world needs his
faith to-day; it needs Universalism, the faith of
Paul. The speaker then recited the winchester
salists assert. Universalism might also be defined
as the belief of those who hold that God Furnishes
His children in order to improve them, and, that
the end, therefore, of final holiness and happiness
for all would be attained,
The world needs this faith then, first of all, be-
cause of its presentation of God Orthodoxy shows
Deity thinking of His glory and the satisfaction
of His vengeance. The "0rthodox" may not hold
this creed. They are noble men and women and
deserve commendation for their good Deeds But
Orthodoxy thus presents God. Moreover there are
men who cannot believe in personal loving God.
n hnfh mar pffoo in anhN NrQla .NOft "a
versalism comes with its message of the One God
who Furnishes only to improve
The world needs this faith also, because of its
doctrines concerning Christ. 1t says Christ is not
God, but man; the greatest man, the fullest revea
tion of Deity; the highest oracle of the spirit
Dogma has made Christ appear more lovable than
God. 1t has obscured the fatherhood of Deity 1t
has repelled thousands. To these the word of
Universalism concerning Christ comes with power.
Then again, in these days, many turn away from
Christ altogether. Universalists recognize the
greatness of other teachers but with the data fur
nished by the religions of the world, they believe
that Christ towers above all other great teachers as
does mountain above the hills. The world needs
the Universaist doctrine concerning the Scriptures
These are ubinspired records of inspired men, They
are the literature OF great people; the record of
revelation.
With this scholarly doctrine. one can meet the
filings Of the blatant decrers Of the Scriptures and
bring men to study and revere these marvellous and
matchless documents.
The world needs the word of Universalism con-
cerning the certainty of punishment. 1t teaches
that there is no escape from penalty. Death-bed
repentance will not save. What man deserves
that he will receive. BallOu taught the terror and
the certainty of punishment. He did not say that
there was no punishment after death. He only de-
cared that the Scriptures did not teach there was.
He wanted to make men fear the present hell No
body OF men today lay greater emphasis on the
tainty and awfulness of punishment than the Uni
versaist clergy. The world needs to hear these
solemn words. 1t needs also the hope of the final
triumph of the good over evil. That mourners
couraged, that patriots may have hope, that think
ers may not be overwhelmed by the mystery of the
universe it is needful to believe that God rules,
that there can be no eternal evil, that at last ali
men shall "come to themselves" and go to the
father.
This is the faith of Tennyson-
''That God which ever lives and loves
One God, one law, one element;
And one far-off, divine event,
To which the whole creation moves.".
This was the faith of Christ of Paul, of origen,
OF great company of the great-hearted. This Is
the message the world needs today.
The sermon closed with COMMUNICATIONS to the
ministry and aityand with an appeal for joyful and
proud proclamation of this inspiring faith.
RoCKLAND, June II, 1884.
The convention was called to order Tuesday,
a. m, at 10 O'Clock by Ara Cushman, presi-
dent, and Rev. j. Fl. Little was chosen secre.
tary pro tenn.
The devotional services at II O'Clock were
conducted by Rev. Mr.. Whitman of Dexter,
and Rev. Mr.. Aldrich of Fairfield, after which
RevR. S. Kellerman of Portland preached
from Matt. tx, S7.3S.
He said there was a silent, far-reaching religious
awaking; it demanded more of its minister's and re-
warded them better. 1t needed more ministers; it
wanted learned and earnest ones. All denomina-
tions were calling to young enter the minis
try. Mr. Kellerman gave statistics to show how
badly his church was in need of more clergy. He
found the cause of the dearth of ministers partly
with the church itself. As rule, young men re-
ceive hearty, consistent ENCOURAGEMENT to enter
the ministry, 6ltler from clerQVmou themselves
lalty or parents. He deplored the way people talk
about the Of the its hard
work and endurance But it is grand noble, pleas
ant lofty. The ministry is the greatest of an pro-
greater and more multiplied rewards. 1t is great in
war; 1t is great in peace. 1t has been the greatest
engine OF civilization, and light and progress in the
mid6le ages. AT the close he made strong appeal
to his brethren in the ministry to do what they
could to present the true claims of the ministry to
the parishes to be vgilant ana fulfill their part and
to parents to point their children to a profession
great, noble, useful, where worthy feet have trod
and where those who fall in the service heard the
voice which cries
Servant of God, well done!
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter the Masters joy.
Committees were appointed as follows:
Elections-Rev. L. S. Crosby, Jsseph Hammond,
Esq, Mrs. A. G. Abbott.
Religious Services-Rev. H. A. Philbrook, H. A.
Keene, Esq, Rev. X. S. Kelerman.
Unfinished Business-Rev. W. w. Hooper, Rev, Z.
A. Hoyt, H. @. Winslow, Esq.
Nominations Sidney Perham Dr. Ludwig
Portland, N. G. Kendall, Esq.
The following resolution was introduced by
Rev. Henry Blanchard:
RESOLVED That this Convention earnestly calls the
attention of thoughtful and earnest young men to
the profession of the ministry. 1t is believed that
to all who are determined to secure thorough
training In college and Divinity school, the minis
try offers hela of great usefulness dignity and
satisfaction.
This Convention cordially approves the growing
demand that the clergy of the Universalist denomi
nation shall fit themselves for heir high calling by
the discipline of the college and the Divinity school,
Laid on the table till Wednesdays session.
The application of South Windham parish
for fellowship was presented and referred to
the committee on fellowship.
Voted, that the report of the State Mission
ary be postponed until opening of the evening
session.
Adjourned to meet at o'clock this p. m.
This afternoon Rev. Mr.. Costello Weston
preached a discourse on "What we owe to
liberal Christianity" At three o'clock lay
mems meeting was held. Messrs. N. W.
Harris of Auburn, G. s. Fobss of Portland,
Henry Lord OF Bangor and Sidney Perham of
Portland made able addresses on varisus
points.
Fiffy-eighfh Annual Conference OF the
Congregational Churches Announce
ment of Committees Gen. j. L.. Cham
berlain Chosen Moderator.
(Biddeford Journal)
BDDEFoRD, June II.
The ifty-eighth annual meeting of the gen.
eral conference of the Congregational churches
of Maine convened at the Second Congrega-
tional church in this city at $50 a. m. to-day.
The floral decorations, which had been pre-
pared by the young ladies of the church, were
profuse and elaborate, and very tastefally ar
ranged. The high archway over the pulpit
was festooned from the ceiling with evergreen,
while on the wall at either side of the arch
way hung fan and sickle of evergreen and
flowers. On stand in the rear of the altar
was huge pyramid Of potted plants and vases
of cut flowers, while fronting the altar at its
base rested number Of large vases of fragrant
flowers of every name and hue. From the top
of, and fronting the altar, was suspended an
elegant cross of evergreen and flowers; around
the walls of the gallery hung floral wreaths of
the cross and crescent.
At the opening exercises hundreds of dele.