The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-16
LIBERAL CONFERENCE AT To-
PEKA, KAN.

The Union Liberal Christian Confer
ence under the auspices of the Missouri
Valley Unitarian Conference at Topeka,
met on Tuesday and Wednesday, May
and 6.
The Conference opened Tuesday in a
very informal manner without prayer or
song. The response to the welcome was
made by Universalist, Prof. Pierce, of
Topeka. Rev. Chas. r. East, of Kansas
City, told how liberal Christians might
unite. He did not believe in uniting
establishments. We might unite in
spreading the good tidings of universal
salvation, in giving a rational interpreta.
ton to the Bible and 10 saving those
who we're drifting into agnosticism.
Bro. East took occasion to say, I'VE want
the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing
but the Bible" He elected some OPP
position.
Mr.. Roberts. of Kansas City, preached
fine sermon at night.
The remarkable feature of the pro-
gram was the appearance of the South
Methodist preacher, upon the platform
Wednesday night to discuss with Uni
versalist and Unitari an. = "What J.
Want to Preach and What the People
Want to Hear" Another remarkable
feature was the criticism offered by both
the Methodist and the Unitarian against
their own churches. The Methodist
scored total depravity, ridiculed his
members, and assured US that they had
knocked hell" out of one of their creed.
al statements. HE preached" "more
rational atonement" and lived in his
own communion in the hopes of reform
ing it. When he was Bishop he prom
ised to have Unitarian delegates at his
Conference. This gentleman was Mr..
r. T. Kerlin, of Jamesport, Mo.
Mr.. Forbush, of Chicago Superin-
tendent Of the A. U. A. for the Central
West said his church stood for science.
for literature, for philosophy for culture
for advanced sociology, for the Higher
Criticism, ect., ect., "but the Unitarian
church does not stand for religion" Mr..
Forbush regrets this and announces the
downfall of the church unless they be-
come religious. The one thing necessary,
however. as he said. is belief in God.
And this leads me to say that Jesus did
not receive honorable mention through
this Conference from the Unitarians
present. One speaker. the best one
there, assured us that he was good
man." lest some of us might get the i'm
preston that he was knave. Mr.. For
bush has very superior air. He in
formed the audience that the efforts of
Kerlin and myself reminded him of a
vaudeville performance. 1t riled me a
little but l refrained from saying some
pretty hard things as characterizing
their part of the meeting. which might
have said, and contented myself by re-
marking, at the close, that this meeting
was unique in the condemnation the
clergymen had visited upon their own
churches.
While l was preparing for the minis
try sometimes had doubts whether /
belonged in the Universalist Church or
in the Unitarian. came back from this
Conference nightly we'll satisfied with
my choice. If might advise such a
superior body l would recommend that
they reconsider the Saratoga declara
ton and fully decide whether they "be-
lieve in the religion of Jesus" or not.
II not to abandon his name. If they
do, to recognize Jesus as their teacher
and master and to study his words and
manner of life and to preach the same.
G. l.. BALL.