The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-20

The UniversaIist club OF Rhode Island
Discusses Christian Unity.


Discusses Christian Unity.
The regular meeting Of the Universal
ist Club of Rhode Island was held at
Tillinghast's assembly rooms last even
ing. At O'Clock the club began to as
semble and at 1880 the guests. l23 in num-
ber, sat down TO an elegant supper, such
as Tillinghast knows best how To serve.
The menu presented was such as would
tickle the palate Of the most fastidious
epicure. Among those present as special
que SITS were A. l.. Calder Of this city. the
Rev. George G.. Hamilton of Roxbury,
Conn; the Rev. l.. II. Blackford OF Wal
than, Mass, and Gov. Brown.
After the collation. had been disposed
OF the Rev. George q. Hamilton address
ed the assembly on the topic OF the even
ing. christian Unity" lie showed the
vast Importance of a unification of Chris
tian relations, and traced the growth OF
the idea from its inception at Hartford
through its various stages OF ev-
olution To its present state Of attainment.
The subject Is vastly important.
Love for God In the characteristic OF the
spirit Earth aud it's problems is deep
mystery To the human soul, but it realiz-
es sooner or later the love of God. The
spirit may be every where but its light
must burn upon the altar of every
church What one church may attain
another may fail of, but all together
work TO the glory of GOD. l believe in
the Spiritual church but do not decry
tue Importance OF other churches. Dur
ing the war all regiments went forth to
the struggle each in emulation OF the
other, but all struggled for the common
end. SO the church must emulate the
example OF the best, but all strive for the
common cause of God. All churches
.s... a L. lxs-.x ~
God. There must be individuality and
unity"
The Rev. L. B. Blachford then con-
tinued the discussion, after paying a
delicate compliment To the repast. He
spoke as follows ''The subject OF Chris
tan unity is large one. Tnere has been
a change in the attitude of Christians
toward each other, but there are regions
where harmony cannot obtain. The
spirit OF denominationalism has pre-
vailed in some remote communities to
humiliating degree. This spirit of Chris
tian unity Is not yet realized. There are
many obstacles in the way. Ministers
antagonize each other too much in small
communities. The spirit OF proselyte-
ism is still extant. Complete unity is
still in the future. There is still spirit
OF disiniegration that separates us.
When we are in extreme need we don't
think of petty technicalities that separ-
ate us in moments OF prosperity.
God Uses all sorts Of instrumentalities
to bring about the result that he desires.
Christian unity does not mean that we
shall give up any conviction. We must
stand faithful TO our convictions. The
churches are beginning to understand
each other"
Gov. Brown then delivered short adj
dress. He thanked the club for the honor
conferred upon him and addressed him.
self briefly to the topic OF the evening by
saying that the time for Christian unity
had not get arrived, but that there Is not
so great difference among The churches
of God.
The Rev J. b. Jordan of Pawtucket,
spoke briefly. saying that he was not like
the press and then was given no oppor-
tunity to deliver it, He detailed briefly
the condition of the church and its policy,
in Pawtucket, and said that the church
there was one with all churches for the
glory of God. He related some war iu-
cidents and compared the soldiers devo-
tion to the flag to the devotion of the
Christian to the battle flag OF Gods
army. He believes that the time when
all clannish banners will unite under one
service to God is close at hand.
The Rev. d. l.. Fisher of East Attic
boro, WAS called upon to speak and ex-
pressed himself as interested and inspired
by the discussion OF the evening
The Rev. Il. A. Dillingham; Of North
Atteboro. was next called upon and
spoke in humorous vein of the attempts
to inveigle him into speech. Touching
upon the subject of the evening. he said
that the consummation of Christian
unity was yet afar off. Many things
must be learned before Christian unity
prevails. We must discard our petty
hobbies. We must realize our duty to
fellow man. That is practical Christian
unity. We must use the church as AN
Endorsement for God.
During the business meeting at the be-
ginning of the evening. George H. Talbot
of the First Universalist church was
elected q member.