The Portland daily press., 1896-10-21

back to the quota system Of raising
money. Mr.. Morrison created some-
thing of a sensation, and his remarks were
literally applauded.
There was then an INQUIRY as to the
actual condition of the finances Of the
General Convention, and Rev. H. W.
Rugg responded. He said that in spite
of the hard times the invested funds had
increased, and they were about S270, 600.
These brought an interest of about AZ
per cent. The expenses uring the year
have not exceeded the receipts by more
than $1,000. The receipts for the year
seemed to be sufficient to meet enter
prlses to which the convention Is COM
mitted, viz. tbs support of theological
students at $3.50 yearly each, and for the
missions on the Pacific coast, Virginia
and the South. No money, however,
was available for the Japan mission, and
a special call must be made for it.
| Rev. Mr.. Dillingham;, of North Attic
boro, said he understood that the funds
Of the convention yielded IL par cent.
He would ask how much interest was
paid on money the convention borrowed.
1t was replied that the rate was and 6
per cent. sit seems to me poor bank
ing, said Mr.. Dillingham;, ''if we can
not get as much interest as we pay"
Rev. 6. L. Perrin, d. D., now of the
Every Day church in Boston, and the
founder of tho Japan mission. next spoke.
He did not believe thu convention was
goirg to the "demnition bow-wows."
There were as good business men, among
the ministers as among lawyers. The
church could manage it's affairs prosper
ously. He advocted a Denomination
Day." greater activity and aggressive.
ness In the UNCONVENTIONAL press, greater
publicity of the financial affairs Of the
denomination. He believed in the cent
day pledge; but the financial situation
would never be much beuter until there
was more enthusiasm. The principal
thing was to get money. One secretary,
| fifteen secretaries, in an office, could not
do it. (Applause.) A general. in the field
was needed. We are trying tt conduct a
great denomination from Offices. A
bankrupt sale in ten weeks.
This completed that portion of the pro-
ceedings relating to raising money. Then
followed the discussion on organization,
Rev. F. W. Hamilton, of Massachusetts,
leading of. He thought the organiza-
ton was very good as it was, but the
people should be better informed OF it,
and 1t should be brought to their atten-
| ton oftener. Some thought the conyen-
tion should be more democratic. That
would De we'll; but there were difficult
| ties. Direct parish representation would
be well, but it had It's difficulties. After
all the spirit behind the organization
was the main thing. Loyalty in the
| place of irresponsible criticism was need
ed. Applause.)
Rev. Charles ConkIin, of Massachu-
setts, said that the object of every minis
ter should be to make converts, and he
who simply wrote beautiful essays for
his people merited the term used by a
stump speaker the other day, luxurious
loafer. ;" (Cries of Amen.) There is too
much looking to the general convention
for aid, and too little local zeal and &C
tivity. The parishes are organized for
everything but missions. He knew not
The growing cities should be colonized
The old city churches are too selfish to
c0lonize.
Rev. F. A. Dillingham; did not believe
the organization of the Universalist
church was the best possible. 1t was too
close an organization, with. too little au-
thority IN 1T. There was no commander
and no plan of campaign. TIL, church
needs to be reorgan lied from tine founda-
tion. We live at poor dying rate to pay
the minister and keep the church doors
open. We are too Indifferent to the great
field of humanity around us, and our
organization encourages this indifference.
We have an invested fund. / wish it
drew more interest. I wish instead Of
shrinking our funds, we could have an
increase In souls, where interest does cot
shrink.
| Rev. Geo. L. Demarest, D. b., of
Manchester, N. H., secretary of the con-
|
ization was not hopeless. The board of
trustees had done things ahead of their
means. hoping to get the means. The
disappointment in this regard was the
cause of the trouble.
| Then there was debate by Rev. Marion
Crosley, formerly of Portland, and others.
QUESTION OF AN EDUCATED MIN
| ISTRY.
In the afternoon the subject Of i'm
proyement in education was the topic.
Rev. DR.. Henry Blanchard of Portland,
led off. He spoke particularly of the ed
ucation required Of the clergyman. In
the first place he believed that particular
attention should be paid to physique and
elooution. The ability to appear we'll and
speak we'll was of the highest Importance.
He was aware that the prejudice against
elooution had driven many to the oppo-
site extreme. But this should not cause
1 u Il 1. L