Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-23
UNIyERsALIsr CONVENTION.
Continuation of the Sessions at Gardner
-AppOistnent Of Committees.

Marion Crosley of Portland. There va. a
large number of people in attendance at this
service.
Appropriate addresses we're made by mem
bers Of the convention, interspersed with sing
ing by Rev. S. Mitchell and by the congrega.
ton.
At 10 o'clock the convention was called 10
order BY the president. Charles S. Forbe.
Esq, of Portland. The president stated
briefly the objects Of the convention, and an.
nounced the following COMMITTEES:
On Elections-Revs. L. L. Greene of Bath,
John Kimball, Turner: B. G. Barrows, Esq
Norway.
On Religious Services-Revs. J. S. Gled.
hill, Gardiner; NJ. Crosley, Portland Alfred
Woodma3, Esq, Portland.
On Unfinished Business-Rev. J. s. Vim
cent Calais George Trefentben, Esq, Port
land.
On Nominations-Rev. l. ]. Mead, Au.
gusta; Hon. Richard Dresser, Auburn; Daniel
Laro, Esq Auburn.
The committee on public services reported
by printed program the plan of the meetings
of the session.
While waiting for the report of the com
mittee on credentials, Rev. Q. H. Shinn, c.
S. Tarbox, Esq, Hon. Sidney H. Perhsm
Mr.. Dill, of Phillips, and Rev. Mr. Crosley,
made brief addresses, seeking to awaken new
interests in the minds of all present for the
Westbrook Seminary.
The committe on credentials reported that
there were SO delegates present, as author.
lied representatives of the Universalisi
churches of Maine.
At eleven o'clock the convention adjourned
until O'Clock p. M, to listen to sermon.
A passage of Scripture was read and prayer
offered by Rev. James Vincent of Calais.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. w. S.
Perkins of Lewiston. He took for his text
"We trust in the living God who is the Savior
of all men," Subject: Universalism. The
preacher spoke without notes. He said that
some do not understand our faith. 1t is not
a negatian. We are charged with preaching
a negative religion, the denial of eternal
punishment. 1t is positive faith. We
must be illustrated in the lives of its believ-
ers. We believe on God-in his personality
and in his justice; in the fact that he will re-
ward everyone according to his deeds. We
deny that God Furnishes for the sake of pun
ishment. Justice must be just. 1t can not
punish finite sin with infinite punishment.
The speaker continued: We believe in
Christ that he lived perfect life; that he
was the Savior of men by his example. Moth
ing is more perfect than a perfect humanity.
If we conform our lives to Him we have in
Him eternal life. We also believe in the
punishment Of sin. No earthly or Divine
power will remit the punishment. The penalty
of our disobedience cannot be laid upon
another. The faith of Universalsm is con-
sisteut. 1t is contradiction to say that God
of love will punish disobedient child eter-
nalIy. 1t is on ethical faith There can be
no transferance of guilt or righteousness.
The speaker furthermore said that the
doctrine of eternal punishment is not taugh,
in the Bible. Where there is one text that
can be construed to imply such doctrine,
there are six texts that declare the opposite.
Our faith is one of consolation. 1t gives hope
and comfort to ALL
The church was well filled with hearers
who listened with marked interest to the
sermon.
The morning service closed with singing
"The Ninety and Nine" by Rev. S. Mitchell.
The afternoon session of the convention
convened at 2 o'clock. Rev. J. II. Little, OF
Skowhegan, state missionary and secretary
of the convention, made his annual report OF
mission work of the denomination. He re-
ported lack of interest on the part of the
churches toward sustaining weak parishes.
Article 4, section l was amended as pro-
posed at the last session of the convention at
Bath, so that there shall be two vice presi-
dents instead of one.
Rev. Mr.. Crosley gave notice to amend the
constitution relating to change of time of
holding conventions.
1t was voted that hereafter that the secre
tarv Of the convention shall be the commi,te
on credentials.
The convention suspended business for the
following service:
Anthem, "Open Ye the Gates
By the Choir.
Reading Scripture and Prayer, Rev. J. II. Little
Singing, Rev. s. Mitchell
Celebration Of the Lords Supper.
Hymn. By the Choir
The occasional sermon was preached by
Rev. f. f. Peck of Bangor. Text: I'VE are
children of the light, etc" The growth OF
the church from darkness into light was the
theme of his discourse.
In his remarks he said that old creeds
harsh and cruel, are giving place to the ligh,
of Christian love and tenderness. We have
seen the world torn away from the dry, old
theelogies to find more satisfactory truths in
the fountains of Christian faith. The duty OF
the church in relation to the commercial ten.
denotes of the age was presented by the
speaker. The Universalist church must lif
up the standard of tender and lovirg God. Il
must be thoroughly alive to the great inter
ests of the social, the moral, and the spiritual
welfare of mankind.
The sermon was carefully written, and de
livered in q manner to gain the strict atten
ton of the audience. An anthem, ''Nearel
NV God to Thee" was sung by the choir, ant
.el Ill L.