The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-17

| d. Bayley was elected Secretary. The
Chairman then introduced DR.. A. L. Ken
nedy, who delivered an interesting adj
dress, setting forth the object and advan-
tage of the organization. The doctor said
"Universalists had not utilized the social
feature as an element of UNCONVENTIONAL
power. In its origin and as it exists to-
day, our sect is essentially congregational.
The State Conventions and the General
Conventions, the links which bind our
congregations together, are held annu-
ally and but for three or four days.
These are by compulsion devoted strict
| ly to business. Clerical delegates feeling
! that they will be expected to be in their
pulpits on the following Sabbath, hasten
to return. Lay delegates follow their
example, and get back to business, for
these conventions are held during the
busy season when no body has time for
visits among the families, nor for excur-
sions into the neighborhoods of the places
where Conventions are held. Golden oppor-
tunities of quickening ZEAL and strengthen
| ing the purpose of the workers by familiar
social intercourse are thus annually lost.
"Other denominations, the speaker con-
tinued, chad done better. They had fore
seen that the coast of New Jersey from Sandy
Hook to Cape May was destined to become
| the great sea bathing resort of Americans
| living east of the Mississippi, and according
| ly, in the true missionary spirit, had selected
| stations, erected places of worship, encour-
aged the building near them of public and
private houses, made provision for prayer
and praise services during the week as well
as on the Sabbath, and had taken measures
through the pulpit, the Sunday school and
the press, to draw to their places of worship
all adherents of their faith, and other visiting
coast during the Summer.
"About midway between the extremities
of coast and Oh the shore of Barnegat Bay,
lay the spot more hallowed by Universaiists
than any in the country. There Thomas
Potter had built church for an unknown
but expected preacher. There John Muir
ray had landed. The we'll where he first
met Potter, the hospitable dwelling in
which he was entertained, and the church
are all there So is Potter's grave, and there
stands the beautiful memorial church. 1t
has been said that the money contributed to
build that church has been sunk, but such
cannot, must not be the case. New Jersey
is doing what she can to prevent it. This
meeting and the society to be here formed
will cooperate with her, and other societies
will help, until the Interstate association
shall be organized next summer on the hal
lowed ground and shall insure its perpetual
preservation for UNCONVENTIONAL purposes.
But three hours all-rail ride from New York
City, and less than two hours from Phila-
delphia, its accessibility is all that can be de-
sired. Not at all adapted at present to the
purposes of a pleasure resort, it, as the site
of the New Jersey State Convention of last
year, demonstrated its suitableness as a rail-
lying point for Universalists who meet for
worship, for social intercourse and sacred
conference. So we'll satisfied was the Con-
vention with its first years experience that it
adjourned to meet there again this year, and
it extends cordial invitation to all of like
precious faith to attend. Let us as heartily
accept it and join in establishing a Univers-
alist station which shall in time be thronged
with worshipers all summer, and send its in
fuence to the remotest borders of our Zion"
The following motion was then read: "That
in the opinion of the meeting it is desirable
to form q local society, for the purpose of
cooperating with other societies in the work
of developing the Potter Memorial Chapel
b
national center for the growth and dissen-
ination of Universalism.' The Hon. E. G.
Lee supported the motion in pointed speech
in the course of which he remarked that what
Mecca was to the the Mohammedans, and
Jerusalem to the Jews so might the Potter
Memorial Church and its surroundings be-
come to Universalists" After which, the
question being taken, the motion was carried
On motion the Chair appointed the follow
ing committee to draft a plan of organiza-
ton: DIR. A. l.. Kennedy, Hon. E. G. Lee,
Mr.. Weston D. Bayley, Mrs. John Mason Jr.,
and Miss f. I. Williams. The committee re-
tired, and after elaboration presented draft
of constitution and bylaws, which, after
discussion we're adopted.
The following officers were then elected for
the ensuing year: President, Hon. e. G. Lee;
Vice President, Mr.. John Mason, Jr.; Secre-
tary Mrs. Sarah A. Gale; Treasurer and Re-
cording Secretary, Mr.. Geo. W. Dessalet;
Executive Committee Mr.. VIM. NJ. Brown,
Mrs. RUSSELL Mrs. A. E. Wilson, Mrs. Char
lotte Gilbert, Mrs. Susan Collins, Mrs. VIM.
Dubosq, Miss F. l. Williams, DR.. A. L. Ken
nedy and Weston d. Bayley. The meeting
then adjourned.
We trust that other churches, initiating the
good example here set, will also form
branches of the Murray Grove Association
and be suitably represented at the meeting
for organization to be held at the Potter
church on the 25th of August, 1886.
4Sl1e a1tertur.