The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
NEBRASKA STATE CONFERENCE

salists met in Omaha, october 1918.
The session opened with a sermon by
Rev. E. H. Chaplin, of Lincoln, at 8 p. NJ.
on Wednesday.
Thursday morning at $50 the business
session was opened with devotional ser
vices. Prayer was offered by Rev Mary
Gerard Andrews. Mrs. w. H. Holmes
was chosen Secretary pro tenn. Presi-
dent, M. B. G. True, of Tecumseh, deliv-
cred his annual address, reviewing the
condition of the churches in the State
and the progress of the cause from the
beginning of his occupancy of the presi-
Dental chair two years ago. Omaha
and Lincoln were in fairly prosperous
condition. There were some dormant
parishes, owing chiefly to the difficulty
of OBJ aiming a $1,000 pulpit intellect for
$500. AS to the outlook in the direction
of increasing the number of churches,
Mr.. True thought it not encouraging,
but was glad to be able to take the
broader view which revealed the rapid
liberalizing of the orthodox churches
everywhere. They are all progressing
toward the liberal belief of the Univer-
salist and Unitarian churches. He coun-
seled fidelity, courage and activity in
all lines of denominational work After
the completion of the usual routine bus
mess, the remainder of the morning SEES
sion was occupied by five minute reports
and speeches from the delegates present.
At the opening of the afternoon SEES
sion Rev. E. HI. Chaplin was elected to
represent Nebraska at Meriden Conn.,,
and the various conference committees
were announced.
An hour was given to the discussion
of the Sunday school work. 1t was led
by Mr.. True, the chairman, who ques-
toned the wisdom of teaching children
theology to any extent. He believed in
teaching them useful moral lessons from
the history of the Jews, with all the
modern light thrown upon the subject
that could be acquired. He deplored the
utter ignorance of all denominations
upon the subject of the Jews.
In regard to the international lessons
for Sunday school work, he did not think
them adapted to all grades. Rev. Mrs.
Andrews followed Mr.. True and spoke
of the readiness of the child mind to re-
ceive religious thought as explained by
the liberal church, such thoughts for in
stance as the Fatherhood of God, the
IL lei opI fho hoonfU Of haaUaO-
ly things.
During DIR. Chapin's remarks she
touched upon the international lessons,
and said that while they were not ideal
they we're greatly to be desired above
such desultory instruction as children
received before they were in existence.
For very young children the lessons, as
adapted to the Universalist creed, she
considered weak, but, on the whole, the
system was much better than could be
devised by individual minds to bring
the great essential truths to children's
understanding. Rev. Mr.. Chaplin, of
Lincoln, was in favor of the kindergar
ten Sunday school, as the children enjoy
getting knowledge in that way, and be
believed that it was the natural means Of
acquiring it. In his Sunday school he
had not used the international lessons,
but had taught comparative religion
the Old Testament, life of Christ, and
was now instructing in the study of
Christianity as revealed in the Acts.
The afternoon closed with a paper
upon the Relation of Universaism to
the Thought of the World" by Rev. Mar
tina Garner Jones, of Seneca. Kansas, for
which we hope to make room hereafter.
The sermon of Thursday evening was
given by Rev. Newton Mann, pastor of
the Unitarian church Of Omaha. The
Friday morning session was given to the
discussion of missionary work in the
West, led by Rev. Mary Gerard Andrews.
A general discussion followed partici
pated in by Mr.. d. A. Cline, of Lincoln.
and many others.
A committee was appointed whose
business it will be to seek out the iso-
lated Universalists of the State and
move toward the organization of Con-
ference church. Rev. Mrs. Andrews and
DIR. Chaplin were appointed visitors to
Lombard University. Officers we're
elected as follows Mr.. M. B. G. True,
President; Rev. Mary G. Andrews, Vice
President; Miss Nellie Baker, Tecumseh.
Secretary, and DIR. d. A. Cline, Treas
urer. The usual votes of courtesy were
passed and the morning session closed
with the administration of the Commun-
ion,-the pastor and Rev. f. Ii. Chaplin
officiating.
The evening session was given to the
Young Peoples Christian Union.
Informal reports were given as follows
Boston 49," by DIR. Chaplin. THE
Iowa Conference" by Rev. Martha Gar
ner Jones' Nebraska State Union" by
Miss Kate Holmes, read in her absence
by Miss Ada Lester. Report was also
made Of the work in Kansas, after which
an able sermon on the subject of the
objectionable Sin, was delivered by Rev.
Mrs. Jones, of Kansas.
The music in charge of Mr.. j. G.. Car