The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-16


useless, if not worse than that, to start
a church where it is known that one can
not live. What we want is systematic,
intelligent work. There is room in the
State for many more churches than we
have. But we must exercise good sense
in trying to organize them. The mis-
sion at Oshkosh was reported as in a
healthy and fairly successful condition.
Recommendations for future work were
given, and the work largely outlined.
Upon the whole the report was not dis
! couraging, except in the matter OF church
property throughout the State lying idle
and sinking into decay.
There being no further business be-
| fore the meeting, Rev. T. H. Tabor, edi
tor Mdnfords Magazine, on invitation OF
| the president, addressed it on the sub
| iect of denominational literature. Re-
marks were made by the Revs. Rogers,
Crawford, Dinsmore, Hoyt and Hastings.
| Convention adjourned to meet at $50
| Wednesday morning.
EVENING SESSION.
| At 8 o'clock the Occasional Sermon
| was given to a large audience, filling
the church in every part, by Rev. J. M.
Payson, of La Crosse, assisted in the de-
votional services by Rev. T. II. Tabor.
The following is only an imperfect alb
stract of what was very eloquent and
earnest presentation of very practical
| theme. The attention and evident in
terest by which it was received by the
audience testified to the power of the
| thought and the force and earnestness
| of the speaker. The subject was:
''THE ADAPTATION OF UNIvERsALIsM TO
THE PRESENT AGE"
The Universalist Church has much
reason for hopefulness. Our present
| rate of growth is sufficient to greatly
| inspire us. And ought not Universal
ism to prosper? 1t is in harmony with
modern thought, while the old theology
is in decided conflict with it. This is
thinking age. The old idea of the di-
vine government will not bear the light
of thought. Universalism is the friend
of intellectual progress. 1t loves to
| stand where all the sun of thought can
shine upon it. There is a more impor-
| tant respect in which Universalism is in
harmony with modern thought, while
| the old theology is at variance with it.
| Let us look for a moment at the attitude
which the old and new faith sustain, to
certain scientific ideas. There is an
| irreconcilable conflict between the old
| theology and science. The God of Uni
versalism is the God of science. Does
not this fact, that Universalism is in
harmony with modern thought, while
the old theology is at variance with it,
open grand field of opportunity for us
! as people? 1t also emphasizes an i'm
| portant duty. 1t seems to me that the
Universalist church is the divinely ap
pointed guardian of the true Gospel.
| To what extent are we faithful to our
| opportunity and our duty?
SECOND MORNING.
Wednesday morning an interesting
| conference was held at 8 o'clock, led by
Rev. B. F. Rogers. Rev. Edgar Leavitt
read the fourteenth chapter of John.
The theme was Jesus the Way, the Truth,
| the Life. Prayer was offered and remarks
made by several persons. 1t was meet
ing full of the Spirit and rich in Chris
tian thought.
The Convention was called to order by
the president at $50, and was opened
by prayer by Rev. Fl. Slade. Following
this came the reading of the minutes of
| the previous meeting.
| Mrs Latin, chairman of the commit
tee on secretary's report, read thesre-
port of the committee, which was ac-
cepted, and hereby appended.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
We heartily concur in the recommen-
dation of the secretary regarding or
| ganized and intelligent work in our
State, to the end that more we'll planned
and successful work may be done.
We agree with the secretary that the
executive board should take measures
to find points where churches may be
established with some probability of
success, and to this end we recommend
that some one member of the board he
especially appointed to have the work
in charge.
We endorse the secretary in his sug-
| gestion that the ministers of the State
take measures for holding series ofmeet-
ings at different points in the State, and
we appeal to the working pastors of the
| State to take up this work of occupying
the waste places, so far as possible, in
the spirit of conservation to the cause.
| We further concur with him in tn
recommendation that every parish in
the State be requested to contribute to
the missionary work of the State; and
that the secretary be very persistent in
obtaining these contributions from every
parish in our fellowship.
THE COMMITTEE OF FELLOWSHIP re-
ported letter granted to Rev. H. j.
| Orelup ON transfer from the Minnesota
Convention. Letter to Rev. A. N. Som
ers for one year, and also to H, Her.
| brechter.
TOther items in this report missing
ED.
Adjourned to meet at $50 P. NJ
Immediately after adjournment came
| the communion sermon, preached at TO-.