The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-16
THE PLATFORM MEETING.

| lug me6tluS.
THE PLATFORM MEETING.
On Wednesday evening platform
meeting was held. Mr.. r. B. Taylor,
of the Bay City parish, presided in the
absence of G. A. Newcomb, of Detroit,
who was assigned that duty. The choir
was present and added greatly to the
enjoyment Of the occasion. The So
prano, at the opening of the service,
rendered the solo, 81 heard the voice of
Jesus say" in very beautiful and
touching manner, followed by the quar-
tet in "Come unto Me-" The attend
ance, while not equaling that of Tues
day evening, was quite large. Without
preliminaries DR.. Cone was introduced
to give an address on Progress in
Theology" He began by noticing the
question which is frequently raised,
Is Theology a Progressive Sciencep
The answer was in the affirmative, and
necessarily affirmative, if theology is a
science. Since, then, theology is pro-
gressive, the theme calls for some indi-
cation of the principal lines along which
theological progress proceeds. The ad-
dress was a clean cut and pointed state
ment Of how theology.has been affected
by the use of the reasoning powers, the
enlargement Of the human mind, and
the refinement and softening of the
human sensibilities. An abstract is
in hand for publication. DR.. Cone has
rarely excelled this address.
Rev. DR.. Rexford's topic was "The
Quickening Power Of Universalism."
He discussed at length the question
raised by the French and English posi-
twists as to whether religion will en-
dure when the intellect of man reaches
it's highest state of progress. The prob
lens growing out Of this question are
interesting. Certainly the childhood
superstitions of the world will be left
behind. To meet the coming emer-
gency we must expand our ideas of re-
ligion. The CALCULATIONS of spiritual
enthusiasm will count for nothing. We
must change, if need be, and broaden
out in our thinking about religion.
Universalism multiplies the constitu-
encies of religion. 1t uses everything;
hence its quickening power and posi-
| bilities of the future. The address
occupied half an hour. 1t was in the
best vein of the fascinating speaker
searching, eloquent and Astounding in
lively witticisms. DR.. Rexford's use
of Copperfield's enthusiastic love of
dora" will be remembered for many
day.
Rev. Charles Fluhrer followed with
an address on "Our Missionary Work"
He had expected to pass the contribu-
ton box-to get the pledges for the
work of next year, but was himself sin
box" by the action of the Convention
in voting the direct assessment. Fol-
lowing this introduction, the speaker
branched out into brave and earnest
plea for parish interest in the work of
the Convention. 1t is not foreign
work; it belongs to all. Every parish
is strengthened by its contributions for
this work. Only by cooperation can
we realize our highest success. The
Convention has done well this year.
See to it, friends, that you do not
neglect or ignore the work in the flu
ture. The earnest plea cannot be fol-
lowed in detail; yet every word would
do good if it could reach the people.
Mr.. Fluhrer's experience as Secretary,
and his Identification with our denomi-
national work, lent special emphasis to
his words. He understood the need
and spoke the needed words.
The Michigan Convention. for sew
eral years, has made speciality of its
platform meetings. 1t never had a
better one than this of Wednesday
evening. So ran the comment at the
end of the protracted exercises. The
people were enthusiastic. Criticism
was at big discount.
CONFERENCE MEETINGS.
The services of each Cay of the Con-
vention were opened by prayer and
conference meetings. These meetings
were held in the Sunday school room,
and were occasions of earnest spiritual
interest. The conference of Tuesday
morning was conducted by Rev. R. d.
Towne. Wednesday morning, Rev. j.
M. Getchell presided, and Thursday
morning the meeting was conducted by
Rev. W. L. Gibbs. Many impressive
and helpful addresses were made, and
each days conference was a fitting
preparation for the subsequent work of
the Convention.
THE sUNDAY-sCHO0L MEETING.
Thursday afternoon, beginning at 2,
was devoted to Sunday-school interests