The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-25
CHRISTIAN OONGREGATIONALIST
CONFERENCE AT PIQUA, o.
BY REV. j. p. MAO LEAN. PHI. D.

On April 15, 1896, there was held at
Piqua, O., a Conference between the
Christian New Light and Congrega-
tionalist denominations, embraced in
certain Ohio Associations. which, if fol-
lowed up, will be an important epoch in
religious history. 1t was the prelimi-
nary movement for the uniting of the
two bodies. Whether the end sought
for will be obtained, only time can
fathom.
That there are too many denomina-
tions all will agree. This country has
144. OF these III contain less member
ship than there inhabitants in the State
Of Ohio. The 144, however, are resolva-
BILE into AZ For instance, there are six
teen different kinds Of Methodists. about
as many Menonitee, probably twelve
kinds Of Dunkards, and SO on.
Why the Unitarian Christians New
Lights), and the Thnitarian Congrega-
tionalists should seek to unite their
forces is a difficult matter to understand.
In reality there is but little more in
common between them than there is be-
tween quite number of others.
Those who live within the limits of
the Miami New Light Conference, and
have kept informed as to the status of
things, know that the church is in de-
plorable condition, although reputed to
be the strongest and having the oldest
ministers. l have conferred with many
of their ministers. and not one of them
has expressed hopeful view. They
lack leader. No one among them is
able to rise equal to the occasion. Once
they had publishing house in Dayton.
This has been sold, and the paper, Her
aid Of Gospel Liberty, is published on
an outside press. The interminable
troubles with Rev. DR.. Long, President
of Antioch College, have been exceed
ingly detrimental to the church. have
read both sides, and listened to the de-
bates on the subject at the annual meet
ing of this (Miami Conference eighteen
months ago. 1t was a pitiable exhibit
tion Of impotence on the part of the trial
Committee in dealing with an obstreper-
GUS member. The final upshot was the
expulsion of DR.. Long from this Confer
ence. At once he applied for and was
admitted into the Ohio Conference. He
still holds forth at Antioch College.
These troubles and others that might be
mentioned, have caussd quite land
slide of their ministers into the Congre-
gationalist fold. Many who remain are
exceedingly restive, while others are de.
termined to hold on to their colors.
Not being personally acquainted with
any of the Congregationalists present.
and not being informed relative to their
private views, / am unable to form any
definite idea as to their intentions. What
occurs in public debate is not always a
fair index to what may be in the back
ground. Outside OF the Western Re-
serve and Columbus, the Congregation
alist church is weak in Ohio.
Among the Christians and Congrega-
tionalists the Conference was we'll at
tended, and every minister, with lay
delegate from each church in the pres
cribed district, we're urgently invited to
be present. On Wednesday forenoon at
8 o'clock the Conference proper assem-
bled in the audience room of the Chris
tian church. 1t was double-headed
assembly. DIR. Washington GLADDEN., of
Columbus, presided on the part Of the
Congregationalists, and DR.. j. B. Wes-
ton, of New York, for the Christians. In
order to prevent conflict DR.. GLADDEN.
officiated in the forenoon and DIR. Wes-
ton in the afternoon. The clergymen
present represented the best types. In
other words, the brains of both churches
were present. 1t took no critic to see
that while the Christians predominated
in point of numbers, the Congregation
alists were superior in intellect. The
discussions were of rather high order,
and spirit of genuine good feeling per.
vaded the meeting. There was not a
single utteranee that a Universalist