The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-07
Conference Notes.

AT the Conference at Portland. Rev.
Mr.. Wells told story of a polygamist
who had two wives; one wanting him to
look old, pulled out his gray hairs, and
the old not wanting him to look young.
pulled out his black hairs. So he be-
came bald. "If this picking away at
creeds doesn't stop. the general church
will be bald and have to wear denomi-
national wig" said Bro. Wells, and the
radical contingent was swept back amid
the general hilarity.
In speaking of the literature of our
church for the future at Syracuse Con-
ference, Rev. f. A. Bisbee said 81 must
be of unmistakable Universalism. 1t
must be loyal to Jesus, the worlds in
be warm, generous and tolerant. 1t
must be narrow as the word 'denomina.
tionaP is narrow. 1t must be broad as
the word Christian is broad"
Rev. DR.. Asa SAKE said at Syracuse:
doubt and negative liberalism seem to
be the most Astounding factor to be
found in the religious world. The great
churches are trying to restate the old
doctrines 30 that this new ferment shall
not shatter them to pieces. These new
religious ideas will not long consent to
be treated as negative quantity and
coddled into an innocuous desuetude.
To do this their full work. they must be
in the hands of those who recognize
them as the prophets and forces Of
new epoch, who are proud of them and
carry them on the heart. What church
shall step forth and reap this great har-
vest? Shall it be ours? l think it may
be. l solemnly think it ought to be-"
DIR. e. G. Sweetser, in an address at
the Syracuse Conference, on the oppor-
tunity of the Universalist Church from
the side of doctrine said among other
things: I'VE are given the opportunity
of exposing the so-called new orthodoxy
teaching. 1t is defective; it is hodge
podge; it is partly Scriptural. partly non
Scriptural, partly honest and partly dis
honest. 1t makes the great mistake of
trying to carry new wine in old skins.
Here lies great opportunity of the Uni
versalist Church, to set forth clear idea
of those facts. The Universalist Church
in order to meet this opportunity must
be thoroughly Christian. Rationalism
means that we will be cut off. The
world will never be satisfied with a
Christless church. Ii our Church would
endure it must be truly evangelical.
truth of the incarnation; whether we
understand it or not, are able to inter
pref it or not, let us believe it"
Rev. DR.. j. Coleman Adams gave an
excellent address on "The Place of the
Bible in Modern Life" at Syracuse. The
Bible, he said, was studied for two pur-
poses. for the sake of it's doctrines and
for the sake of discovering its true ma.
ture. The latter he considered the more
important He believed the power of
the Bible greatly due to the fact that it
is a comparatively modern book. He
contended that it contained past, present
aud the future. being above all other
reason for it's universally was owing to
it's being translated into the life and
thought of the age.
AT Portland Conference. Rev. DIR.
George w. Bicknell remarked: II bow in
reverence and admiration before the very
few men who can teach us the principles
of Higher Criticism; and to others who
are walking in the higher avenues of
scholarship; we will learn of them; but
while the Universalist Church should
seek to be cultured church, though
not uncomfortably so, and it's ministry
cultured ministry. though not to that
degree to induce spiritual dyspepsia, yet
l have no patience with that obsequous
bowling before the standards of select
few, who prevent, or may prevent by
their juicelessness. our church from be.
coming practical, hearty. soul-working
church, its ministry practical minis
try, with life enough and vigor enough
to bring into being scores of other
churches, even though they may com
mence in sort Of helpless infancy"
Rev. w. H. Morrison, in discussing
financial matters, asked. "WhY is it that
churches of other sects financially poor
or than our own, do far more than we
for missions? With a broad faith we
are narrow in our offerings. The fault
is in our methods. We laoor with de.
linquent, not with generous parishes.
We depend ON circulars and perfunctory
announcements. Or. il the agent goes
forth, he goes where he is not needed
right to the parishes that have done
their duty! Why not spend all his time
with the parishes that need to be walked
up? We do not have business methods.
The speaker believed in return to the
quotas"