The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-25
THE Y, P. O. q. AND THE GENERAL
CONVENTION.

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ton of that organization to the Cen
eral Convention and methods OF CO.
operation between the two bodies, is
reported in the Christian Leader. 1t
was, by all accounts, lively and in
teresting discussion, with results that
must prove of substantial benefit to
our common cause. 1t would be
positive misfortune for the Y. P. G. u
to place itself in antagonism to the
one organization that represents the
Universalist Church in its organic re-
lations and inclusive of all minor or
CARNATIONS and auxiliaries expressed
and implied; it would be an equal
misfortune for the General Conven-
ton to assume any attitude of hostil-
ity to the younger organization or to
insist on action that would interfere
with the special enthusiasts and
ambitions of the young people as
represented in their Convention.
The result at Jersey City is reassur-
ing: there will be no conflict and
the unity of common purpose WILL
prevail. The young people are now,
and always have been, and Will re-
main, loyal to the general body OF our
church and will not enter upon any
divisive work. While they propose
to continue their special work in the
prosecution of the Southern missions
they will contribute to the funds OF
the General Convention and be help
ers in the financial emergency which
is bearing heavily on all our church
interests.
Jersey City '96" will be memora-
BILE not only for its splendid meeting
and we'll directed enthusiasm, but as
the meeting which emphasized the
loyalty of the Y. P. @. U. to the
General Convention and placed it
beyond any peradventure or suspi-
cion in the future.
Following is the Leaders report of
the interesting and profitable debate
at Jersey City and of the resolutions
finally adopted covering the points in
controversy:
Rev. Mr.. Tenney called for the resolu-
ton on the relation between the Y. 2.
G. U. and the General Convention. 1t
was read and the battle royal was on.
DR.. Nash was the first to secure the floor,
and be prefaced his speech with few
words on the serious import Of the pro-
posed action. He was not satisfied with
the resolution of the committee which
appropriated one thousand dollars for
the General Convention. He wanted the
Union to abolish its two cents week
system and adopt the Cent a-Day, with
the provision that for each subscription
secured by the Y. P. G. U. the General
Convention was to return one dollar to
the Union.
Rev. DIR. Sweetser who, together with
other visiting ministers, was granted
the courtesy of the floor, felt that an
other plan would be better, that of de-
voting the receipts of the two cents a
week to the mission work of the General
Convention. DIR. Shinn "shed some
light" as to what the General Conven-
ton was doing that bore favorably
upon the Union. President Felt re-
signed the chair to the Secretary, and
thrilled the audience with one OF his
great speeches, proclaiming the loyalty
of the Union to the General Convention,
and because of that loyalty, the right of
criticism. He was not satisfied with any
of the proposed resolutions, but he did
want unity, and he did want to help the
church, but it was not helping the
church to surrender success that we
might take up failure.
Rev. Mr.. Bisbee pointed out that the
Union was facing the most serious prob
lem in it's history. 1t was not ques
ton of giving some money to the Gen.
erel Convention, we we're all ready to do
that, but it was a question of church
unity; whether we will run three ma
chimes to do the same work as one. The
matter was so serious that he moved to
appoint special committee of seven to
provide resolution that would express
the feeling of the Convention. Mr. Cod
dington spoke on the motion. seeing no
use for the committee, if the Convention
would adopt his plan which was to carry
on the work in the South, and give the
General Convention all the rest of our
two cents a week income. The motion
to appoint a committee prevailed, and
the President appointed Rev. Frederick
A. Bisbee, chairman, Rev. G. Z. Nash, II.
n. Fowler, Miss M. A. Bortle. Miss Min
ME Perry, Mr.. F. W. Belts, |. P. Cod
dington, and on motion President Felt
was added.
The Convention adjourned for lunch,
and the committee got together during
the interval, and when the Convention
reassembled the chairman reported the
following which was adopted.
WHEREAS, The financial situation of 9
Unversalist Church demands the cordial Co
operation Of all departments of the church in
81. "A. .aftl ,s.f