The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
THE COLUMBUS LIBERAL RELIGI-
GUS CONFERENCE.

ed under the auspices of the Ohio Min
isterial Association, and the program,
arranged by Rev. S. G. Durham, Chair
man of the Executive Committee. was
carried out with very little variation.
Tuesday evening DR.. E. L. Rexford
delivered an address of welcome in
which he said, "The Conference was
held, not in the interest of party or Sect
but in the name of that supreme inter
est which has challenged the reverent
thought and attention OF the world in
all ages and all countries name of
Religion" The tendency is more and
more to domesticate religion for use on
these earthly shores. 1t is not a scheme
or plan detached from the universal
order. but the aggregate movement and
law of the entire thought of God. Relig
ion is the best meaning and experience
of all things. DIR. Rexford emphasized
the necessity of united action by the
different liberal churches, and the object
of the Conference was to strengthen the
defenses of right, and to create such
a spirit that people will say, Fellowship
is credible" brotherhood is credible"
"God is credible" From this standpoint
he extended hearty welcome to all.
Rev. E. A. Coil, of Marietta, responded
in behalf of the Unitarians. He greeted
the assembly as brothers and sisters,
not on the ground of the unity of dogma,
but on the basis of a common parentage.
Rev. Moses j. Cries, of Columbus, spoke
in behalf of the liberal Israelites He
said he was not there because the Jews
were becoming more liberal. 1t was the
Christians who we're becoming liberal.
The Jewish religion. the oldest in the
world, was the least understood. and the
Jew was often misjudged by his Chris
tian brethren. These Conferences were
signs of liberalism, not in the Jew, but
in the world. The Jews had been called
clannish, but hand has never been ex-
tended to Jew that he has not received
in like spirit. He urged liberal organ
izations to stand together.
Rev. John Goddard, DID,, of Cincin-
natl, responded in behalf of the New
Churchmen, (Swedenborgian). His ad-
dress was an inspiring one. we'll calcu-
lated to lift his hearers into an atmos-
pbere of love and good will.
WEDNESDAY.
Brief devotional services in which Rev
John Richardson offered prayer, opened
the exercises of Wednesday. In absence
OF Rev. Andrew Wilson, President of
the Ministerial Association, Rev. S. G.
Dunham was chosen Chairman.
The first paper of the morning was by
Rev. E. A. Coil, of Marietta, on "How
Can We Unite for Practical Progress?"
The suggestions were numerous in re-
gard to methods in which people of diff
ferent liberal churches could unite for
the uplifting of humanity, without in
terfering with dogmatic opinions. or
church organization. Much interest
was aroused and excellent addresses
we're made, by Revs. E. w. Preble, Abbie
E. Danforth, o. G. Colegrove, DIR. j.
Goddard, and Miss Burt, of Unity
church, Cleveland. Rev. U. S. Milburn.
of Cincinnati, presented paper on,
"Poets of the Liberal Church." The
paper clearly indicated by historical
reference and quotations, that the poets
who touched the hearts and aroused
nobler ambitions, were those whose souls
were inspired by faith in the Father
hood of God, the brotherhood of man.
and the final triumph of good over evil
in every form.
The fl rst paper of the afternoon, was
by Rev. Moses j. Cries. of Cleveland, on
"The Jews and Judaism Many inter-
esting historical facts were presented,
correcting many errors entertained in
regard to Judaism. He referred to the
prejudices entertained and encouraged
in regard to the part the Jews took in
the death Of Jesus, earnestly denying
that it was sought by that nation. He
mentioned the different grades of opin-
ions prevailing; and said that basal
thought in all Judaism was the unity
and Fatherhood of God and the unity
and brotherhood of man. The provi-
dence of God in the destruction of Jew
ish nationality was acknowledged as a
blessing. in that it sent these ideas out
into all lands and among all people.
An interesting episode occurred at
this point. Rev. Mr., Humgate, of the
Baptist church, asked permission to
make some inquiries. He expressed the
kindliest feelings toward the Jews; but
wanted to know if they we're not direct
ly responsible for the crucifxion Of
Jesus? Mr.. Cries said that the high
priest and his associates sought the
death of Jesus, but not the people at
large. The antagonism of the high
priest was aroused by the fear of being
supplanted by Jesus. His death was
secured because of his acknowledgment
that he was king of the jews" which
meant treason to the Roman govern
ment. His offense was political, not re-
ligious. Mr.. Cries exhibited the most
courteous manner, at this stage OF the
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