Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-10-29
M. II M4NeAsARIAMs FoLLowEss.
Organization or n National society
in PHILADELPHIA

About 200 adherents and friends of the
Rev. Mr.. Mangasarian held congrega-
tional meeting last night week in the Ice
tore. DOM of the Rev. Mr.. Ames' Unitarian
Church, Broad aud Brandywine streets,
Philadelphia. Considerably moro than
onn-half of the persons present were
Indies. At 10 minutes after y the young
clergyman offered short invocation. MIR.
Edwin Ralston was then chosen secretary.
Mr. Culbert stated thnt the meetingwas
to be considered an adjourned session of
the meeting last Wednesday night. The
purpose was to elect officers to take
charge of the church association. ''Mr.
Mangnsarian, he added, "would state the
objects of the new society.
Mr.. Mangasarian said his intention wns
not to make speech, but to talk about
organizing a moral and spiritual church.
The object of the society was TO serve
God as they understood His truths. He
would recognize other Christian bodies
whose members worship God according
to their eonsciences, but he did not know
whether they would recognize the Inde-
pendent Christian Church. They were
band of men and women come together
to search the truth, and took upon them
of faith or particular doctrine.
+" In this book" said Mr.. Mangasarian,
holding up leather-coyered blank book,
81 have written out covenant which ali
who become members of our church will
be asked to sign. It is very short. 1
will read il:
eve, whose names are hereto prescribed,
associate ourselves together as a Christian
church for the purpose OF moral and
spiritual improvement and of promoting
truth and righteousness in the world,
through the study, practice and diffusion
OF pure religion, as taught and lived by
Jesus Christ, love to God and love TO man,
Hecognizing the right OF private judg-
ment and saeredness OF individual convic-
aon, we require no assent to any other doc
trinal statement as basis of Christian fell
lowship, but we welcome all who desire to
cooperate with us in advancing the King
dom of God.
All that Is required of any one who de-
sires to join our church." said Mr.. Man
gasarian, is, that he shall sign that cove
nant. When he does SO he is member.
Then II there are any who do not desire to
sign It they can become contributing menu
bers, and have a voice In the management.
/ have been asked by members OF the old
church whether 1t would not be we'll to get
letters OF dismissal from their churches and
present them here. l do not think you
could got letters from other churches. Be-
sides, do not think 1t necessary. All you
have to do to become members OF the
church is to sign the covenant.
President Culbert said the election of
trustees was now in order. Anyone could
vote for trustees who had subscribed for
Che support of the church. In order to
give all an opportunity to subscribe a
brief recess would be taken.
Dnring the recess Mr. Mangasarian was
presented with handsome morocco
bouud pulpit Bible, the gift of Francis
Il. Moore. Mr.. Culbert then stated the
committee of arrangements had thought
best that 81 trustees should DO chosen.
The board would serve for six months
only. Twenty-one trustees were elected
by aoclamation.
Mr.. Culbert announced that services
for the present would be held in st.
Georges Hall. 1t was the intention to
build or bny o church, but before that
could be done the society would have to
be incorporated, and other things done
whioh required timo. ~,
A stranger who announced that he was
a clergyman said he was ready to cast in
his lot and work with the movement. His
name was O'Hara. Joseph G. Ditman, the
well-known paper maker, who is promi-
nently mentioned in connection with
the postmastership, made a few remarks.
He approved Mr.. Mangasarian's course,
and declared that he would support the
movement heartily. Mr.. Ditman is one
of the trustees. George w. Carr and o
young Armenian also made speeches.