Passaic City record., 1895-07-27
HAND IN HAND.
Ministerial Union Formed 70
Combat Evil.
Protestants and Catholics to Work,
Together.

Thirty-one clergymen, representing six dis
tinct religious denominations, net IN the
Aver, Mass, town hall and formed new
ministerial union to be known as the United
Religious Association. Inc meeting was
somewhat unusual in its lcharacter, in that
both Protestant and Catholic met on COM
mon footing to discuss the great questions OF
religious affliation. Not discordant note
was struck and the spirit OF the days pro-
ceedings were permeated with good IeiloW-
ship and brotherly love. 1t was certainly an
epoch in the religious history of New Eng
land.
The morning session opened with praise
and prayer servicein which all heartily Joined.
Rev. William J. Cloues of Littleton was
elected chairman and Rev. E. l. Lindh OF
West Acton secretary.
Slips of paper were passed around, upon
which each clergyman expressed his opinion
of what the objects of the organization
should be. Some of these opinions follow:
Fr McKenna-I would suggest that the
title be made broad, such as United Religious
Association.
G. E. Littlefleld-Fraternity to ministers,
federation of the sects, practical application
of our common Christianity.
William s. Heywood-The promotion OF
personal righteousness, the suppression OF
the existing social evils, the extension of good
citizenship and the building up OF the king
dom OF God.
S. P. Everett-The furtherance Of social
reforms and the uplifting of man.
H. J. Torrey-The promotion OF love and
the co. operation of all Christians.
W.R. Buxton-To aim to solve the educa-
tional, philanthropic and sociological prob
lens.
L. E. Schertf-Temperance social purity.
pure literature and the awakening OF rell-
gion among the people.
Isadore Lindh--To cultivate the sentiment
xr-bo tha fot hprhOnd nf God
and the brotherhood of man to promote all
works of practical charity and benevolence
and the endeavor to help one another to
usher in the kingdom of God upon earth.
A. W. Blankford-That we may become
better acquainted with each other.
The committee then retired, taking the
slips with them to aid in compiling their re-
port, which was presented later in the day.
The roll was then called and it was found
that the following denominations were rep
resented: Baptist, S. Catholic, 1 F; Congrega-
tionalist, 8 ;German Evangelical, l.; Unitarian,
IL; Universalist. /; total, 81.
Those present we're: W. f. Greenman,
Fitchburg; H. F. Hallett, Aver; w. P. Hay
ward, Sterling; E. Loomis, Bedford G.. E.
Littefeld. Peterboro, N. H. P. A. McKenna,
Marlboro; E. g. Rood. Shirley William J.
Robinson, Ashby; F. E. Sharf, Bolton J. H.
Sheane, Harvard F. c. Sheriff. Clinton; W.
J. Bait. Concord Junction; G. G. Torrey,
Harvard; .. L. Everett, Aver; d. H. WeStOu,
Dunstable; A. W. Blackford, Shirley; Joshua
Young, Groton; j. w. Roberts, Aver; G. S.
Shaw, Ashby; E. l. Lindh, West Acton; J.
Torrey Shirley; W. r. Buxton, South Acton;
E. f. Clarke, West Acton; I. F. Porter, Little
ton: A. J. Rich, Milford, n H.. W. J. Cloues,
Lttleton.
The report of the committee on organiza-
ton was made by Rev. A. ]. Rich. 1t was
as follows Name-The United States Re-
ligious association. Object-Resolved, that
we form ourselves into an organization, the
object of which shall be fellowship and ac-
auaintance with each others religious doc
trines, local cooperation with each other on
the basis of love to God and man, and to the
furtherance of all social reforms and the
bringing into the kingdom of God. Clergy
men in attendance at the meetings OF this
association shall be deemed members thereof.
Officers-President, two vice presidents, cor
responding secretary, recording secretary,
treasurer, and an executive committee of
five. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in spring and
autumn.
The report was adopted, after which the
following officers were elected President,
William J. Cloues ;vice-presidents, P. A. Nc
Kenna and Joshua Young: corresponding
secretary, William ]. Bait; recording secre-.
tary, E. l. Lindh; assistant secretary, Fl. F.
Hallett; executive committee. A. w. Black
ford. W. W. Campbell. I. F. Porter, s. P.
Everett and W. R. Buxton.