The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-09-19

The reports by our ministers of work
done are made at the annual meeting,
the time of which has been changed to
the first week in June instead of at the
sessions of the State Convention, as
heretofore.
The reports of this year covered
period of nine months from Sept. l, 1895,
to June l, 1896.
Fifteen ordained ministers reported
1,115 sermons delivered, So lectures, II
funerals. 4S marriages, LA members re.
ceived. 40 adults baptized. % children
baptized, 780 families in parishes, 1907
church members, an increase in mem ber-
ship OF 158 and decrease, mostly caused
by death, OF %. Expenses in filling ap-
pointments S33l.53 and salaries amount
ing to s5.627.45. OF the fifteen reporting
only nine had been engaged all the time
in regular work.
Three licentiates reported 104 sermons,
IA lectures. funerals, members re-
ceived, As families in parishes, 101 mem.
bers, an increase of 4. Salaries amount
ing to S346.35 we're reported. One of
these brethren had been employed regu-
larry for six months, his report covering
that time.
These reports are not full. Some of
our active churches not being repre-
sented at all, but they evidence encour.
aging activity on the part of our minis.
ters. Our prayer is that soon we may be
able to report every church active and
conducting regular services, with a con-
slant increase in effectiveness as liberal
churches.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES f. BUSHNELL, Secretary.
The committee on the revision of our
manual made report through it's chair
man, Rev. T. E. Ballard, of Crawfords-
vile. The proposed manual was read
and adopted article by article. 1t will
soon be printed and ready for distribu-
tiop.
Mr.. George Rogers, of La Fayette
with the consent of the Convention, pre-.
sented memorial and petition from
the trustees Of the La Fayette church to
the Indiana Convention. After some
discussion it was moved and carried that
the prayer Of the petition presented by
trustees George Rogers, Beckwith Co.'S
ner and others be granted. The being
called for by yeas and nays, resulted as
follows: so yeas. l nay and asked to
be excused.
RESOLUTIONS.
The Committee on Resolutions re.
ported as follows:
1. RESOLVED: That the thanks of this Con-
vention be rendered the McCordsville people
for their hospitality, for the admirable manner
In which this Convention has been entertained,
and for their loyalty to the denomination in
agreeing to entertain the Convention In so short
a time previous to its annual meeting. Unani-
mously adopted.
II. To Bro. Joseph M. Bulla and Revs. Ira
b. Grandy and B. F. Foster: The officers and
delegates of the Indiana Universalist Conyen-
ton In convention assembled, extend to you In
your afficton, their sympathy. and assure you
that your absence from our annual meeting Is
noted and felt by all present. May the Father
OF Love sustain and comfort you is our prayer.
(Adopted with request that the Secretary mail
at once copy to each of the brothers men
toned.)
rlof l1gck fha
State observe Young Peoples Day, devoting at
least one service to the interests of the Young
Pc pies Christian Union, explaining Its place
In the church organization. its missionary en-
Ierprises and endeavors. its past accomplish
menEs and future prospects. (Adopted.)
ANTI-RATIONALISM
w. WHEREAS: The Universalist
Churches and Convention of Indiana
have all been builded up to their present
position upon the theory that the Bible
is infallible authority in all matt ers of
religious faith and practice, and,
WHEREAS; During the last few years,
there has appeared in our ministerial
force few preachers who by their pub
lie utterances in our pulpits and especi.
ally at the meetings Of our Associations,
ministerial circles and Conventions, and
by their private conversations and con-
duct when among our people and when
among strangers. seek to belittle the |
Bible as an infallible guide in matters of
religious life; and who. under the mis-
leading guise Of "higher criticism" are
in the habit of asserting that certain as.
sumed facts of science are true and that |
they contradict the Bible. and that the
Bible must give way to these assumed
facts. and all true religion must cor.
form to and be based upon science,
and the old position of our church in
reference to the Bible must be aband-
oned, and Rationalism be substituted: |
and
WHEREAS: These so.called Higher
Critics." or rationalists. are not in any |
sense building up the Universalist