The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-07
OUR PROFESSION OF FAITH.

change of our creed, perhaps some OF
our brethren will be glad to know the
history of our present Profession of
Faith. TWAS adopted by our fathers
in the denomination at Winchester,
N. H., in 1903. A committee was ap-
pointed the previous year, at the
General Convention, to draft such a
creed. The committee was composed
of some of the most influential and
judicious of the clergymen. The
venerable Zebulon Streeter headed
the list, and was assisted by Revs'
George Richards, Hosea Ballou,
Walter Ferris,and Zephaniah Lathe.
Father Ballou repeatedly informed
the late DIR. Whittemore that Walter
Ferris drew up the creed, and he
was wont to eulogize Mr.. Ferris as a
man of candor, nobleness, and con-
secration. The circumstances that
called for creed and discussions at
tending its adoption are related by
Rev. N. Stacy, in his very interesting
Memoirs. He speaks of the ecstacy
with which he attended the Conven-
ton at Winchester, and then proceeds
in the following strain:
"There was measure called for
at this time, which in its adoption by
the Council, produced considerable
argument in the discussion, and no
little sensation among the brethren,
which was the adoption of written
creed, or confession of faith. 1t be-
came absolutely necessary, to save
Universalists in New England, and
particularly in New Hampshire, from
clerical oppression. In those days,
the Presbyterians and Congregation
alists were denominated the Standing
Order, and had legal right to tax
every individual in the parish for the
support of the clergy; and the only
remedy the individual had, to avoid
paying such tax to them, was to join
some other sect, and bring certifi-
cate from them to the Standing
Order that he had joined that society,
and actually paid taxes to them.
This had been done in one case or
more, in the State of New Hampshire;
but, nevertheless, the Standing Order
proceeded to collect the tax. Resist
ance was made and the case was
finally carried up to the Supreme
Court, which decided that there was
no such order known as Universalists
for they had no creed or profession
of faith to distinguish them from the
Standing Order; and they were, con-
sequently, compelled to pay taxes to
them.
"Our brethren felt afraid of creeds.
They had read, seen and experienced
as they supposed, the distracting,
illiberal and prosecuting effects of
human creeds; and they wished to
avoid the vortex of that whirlpool
into which they had seen SO many
drawn to inevitable destruction. The
Bible was a sufficient creed; it was
all the creed they wanted,-all they
needed; it was sufficiently definite,
and every one had an equal right to
construe it for himself, while he did
not deny its inspiration and author
ity. They felt no inclination to take
upon themselves yoke which neither
they nor their fathers had been able
to bear. They had so far lived with
out creed, and they had lived in
perfect union. Now, they very much
feared, should they go to making
creeds, they would become divided,
and like others who had gone before
them, begin to cherish an exclusive
spirit. But what should be done9
They sympathized deeply with the
prosecuted brethren in New Hamp-
shire, and wished, if possible to re-
lieve them. A committee was ap-
pointed the previous year to prepare
confession of faith; and Mr.. Walter
Ferris in behalf of the committee pre-
sented confession so unobjectiona-
BILE, that it was difficult to find where
the most fastidious could dissent
from it, or how it could lead to divis-
ion.
"a motion was made to adopt it;
and probably the longest and warm
est debate ensued that had ever been
known in that deliberative body. 1t
was, however, conducted throughout
with the kindest feelings, but with
much earnestness and sensibility;
tears and smiles by the attentive
auditors followed the pathetic appeals
of the speakers ON each side. Among
its warmest advocates were George
Richards, Hosea Ballou, Walter Fer
ris and Zephaniah Lathe; and among