The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-02
THURSDAY EVENING.
A PLATFORM MEETING.

scripture was reau ana prayer OHereu
by Rev. w. S. Perkins, of Connecticut.
Mr.. Perkins introduced Ex-Governor
Sidney Perham of Maine. as the presid-
ing officer of the meeting, explained that
he presided at the Centenary Conven
tion of 1870.
On Mr.. Perhams assuming the chair,
he alluded briefly to the Convention of
twenty-five years ago and to the new
spirit in the Christian world today.
BY appointment from the Convention,
a collection was taken at this point for,
the benefit of the Universalist Historical
Society.
The Chairman then introduced as the
first speaker of the evening, Hon. Henry
b. Metcalf, of Rhode Island, who ad
dressed the Convention on the subject,
"From Gloucester to Meriden."
The speaker carefully went over many
lines of progress during the twenty five
years since the Gloucester Convention,
including the material, the religious and
the mental. Our possessions as church
were compared. The moneys expended
by the Convention during the period I'M
der discussion. A careful statement OF
the organization and work of our young
people, and of the mighty power in their
hands was made, and the speaker pledged
his hearty support of every right endeav-
or by the body of our people who are
fast coming to the responsibility Of
carrying on the work of our church as
represented by its Convention. The
Convention unhappily has not always
enjoyed the undivided sympathy and
help of all its constituency. This was
said in no spirit of criticism, but in ex-
PLANTATION of the hindrances under which
the Convention had often conducted its
work. Our parishes have not even al
ways obeyed the law of their own max
ing. that every parish shall make every
year contribution to the Convention.
Ours is democratic body. All classes
are recognized, and stand on level.
The speaker closed by statement of
the everyday claim of humanity. Essays
on the theme are replaced by the age of
activity, which find expression in grand
Christian citizenship.
OUR WOMEN WORKERS.
The chairman introduced as the sec
ond speaker of the evening, Rev. Alice
K. Wright, of New York.
AS far as organized work is concerned,
our women workers came to the front
fret in 1869, when they organized to
assist in raising the Murray Fund.
During 1870 a permanent organization
was effected under the name of the Wo
mans Centenary Association. The work
of that body, its growth. and accomp-
lished results, were carefully set forth.
Recently new set of laws had been
adopted for the government of the re-
organized society, adapting it to the
larger work of the present and the flu
ture. Any parish that has not organ
lied Mission Circle has lost year; and
if it does not organize this year. it will
lose two years. A vast amount of work
can be done by these circles for the good
of our church. A program of topics on
missionary themes has been issued for
the education of our women on the sub
iect of Missions. Our women are taking
prominent places in public life outside
of our Church. thereby bringing the Uni
versalist church into notice. 1t is good
for our women to be thus actively en-
gagged in broader and freer activities
than formerly took all their attention.
They were better fitted for the home
and the training of children, and better
prepared to stand beside men in all the
affairs of life.
THE FUTURE OF THE UNIvERsALIsT
CHURCH.
The third speaker of the evening was
presented by the chairman, in the per-
son Of Rev. S. II. Robin. of Massachus
etts, who addressed the Convention on
the theme: The Future OF the Univer
salist Church.
No man can certainly tell of the future
1t may be bright in the morning. but
Waterloo may meet us in the evening
The present Andover would look queer
to the men who hedged about its found
alton. The future is uncertain. We
cannot make it what we would. l be-
lieve there is future for our work and
for our name. The future grows out Of
the present. We are not too closely or
ganized. The greatest churches are
thoroughly organized. A glance at our
funds shows that we have had financiers
in our midst. We have among us discon
tent Unity is the first requirement. We
should go forward. We have every rea
son to welcome truth, and must not look
susyiciously at scholarship. in science,
philosophy and religions, We ought to
put our hands on the strongest and alb
lest man aud send him to our churches.
He will do immense good. And we must
not be afraid of religion. A thousand
men on their knees, is better than So,
600 in gold. | pledge you the Univer-
salist Church; its past is glorious, its
present is assured; may it's future be
crowned with increase.