The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-20

Social Life at the Present Time" under
the following sub-topics: "Our Laws"
"Our Rich and Our Poor" "Our Social
Insincerities and Impurities"
The following resolutions were pre-
sented by Rev. T. E. Ballard and were
unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Real UNCONVENTIONAL
strength is measured by high Christian
character, mature scholarship and prac
tical ability of the ministry it supports,
rather than by the number Of preach
ers bearing it's name; and
WHEREAS, A church organization is Of
value to community only in proportion
to the permanency of it's organization and
the uprightness and purity of its people,
rather than the length of its member
ship roll, therefore, be it
Resotved, First, that the Universalist
Convention of Indiana and its Ministe
rial Circle should devote special atten-
ton and liberal expenditure of funds,
to the devising and execution of such
methods as will steadily improve the
character, ability and efficiency of all
the ministers who now enjoy the fellow
ship of such Convention.
Second, That our laws should be so
amended as to require all applicants for
license or ordination to pass rigid and
thorough examination in writing, before
their application is acted upon by the
committee, and the Fellowship Commit
tee should be required to hold two or
more sessions each year. for the transac-
ton of its business, and that no com.
plant against minister, nor application
for either license or ordination be heard
at any time except at regular session.
Third. That no application for license
or fellowship should be favorably acted
upon unless majority OF the Commit
tee of Fellowship in regular session,
shall enter on the record finding that
such applicant is qualified to preach
Universalism and that his Christian
character is absolutely unimpeachable.
Fourth, That churches should not be
organized except at such points and un-
der such circumstances as give reason
able promise that the organization will
be able to maintain regular services and
WELD good influence on the commun.
ity.
Thursday afternoon, the following pa
pers we're read and discussed General
Review of the Homiletic Review" Bro. r
B. Davis, Edwards; "The Introduction
and Proposition" Rev. F. I. Lathe, Ca
dir; THE Division and Conclusion" Rev.
j. F. Carney, Muncie; Methods of
Preaching, Written and Extempore Ser
MONS" Rev. G. F. Bushnell. Crawfords-
Vile. These papers and the ones pre-
sented on Wednesday afternoon, proved
that the Institute Plan" applied to min
isterial work can be made very effective.
Thursday evening was devoted to Sun
day school work. the subjects and the
speakers being as follows: Organized
Sunday school Effort" Mr.. Charles W..
Ross, President of Montgomery county
Sunday school Association, Crawfords-
vile; THE Sunday school as an Essen
tial Part of Church Work." Rev. J. w.
McCord. Roam; 1.-THE Duty of Parents
to the Sunday school," Rev. D. A. Pat
rick, Logansport. Rev. T. S. Guthrie
also made one of his characteristic adj
dresses.
Friday morning after the usual routine
business, the Circle adjourned to meet
in December at such place as shall be
selected by the executive board.
There were present during the ses-
sions, twelve ministers in fellowship, two
lay preachers and three licentiates. be-
sides three of the local ministers of other
denominations. The meetings were
characterized by spirit of earnestness
and zeal which promises we'll for future
work in Indiana. The local attendance
was not as large as could be wished, but
our friends of st. Paul's church proved
to be noble entertainers, and the breth-
rem departed for their homes with very
kindly feelings for Charlottesville and
it's citizens. CHARLES F. BUSHNELL.