The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-04

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deemer aud Tuttle. and Rochester.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.
The twenty-seventh annual Sunday
School Convention was called to order
Tuesday morning June 16, at Anoka, by
the President Mr.. L. N. McWhorter.
The delegates we're welcomed by Mrs.
W. p. Macomber, the efficient superin-
tendent Of the Anoka school. The
president then delivered the annual ad-
dress, which was an admirable survey of
the condition and needs of the Sunday
school. Mr.. A. H. Squier. of Albert Lea
read an interesting paper, entitled
What shall the harvest be?" The presi-
dent then called on Miss Perry of Min
neapolis to lead in discussion on
Primary class work." which was partici-
pated in by Miss Clausen of Rochester.
Miss Stockwell of Anoka and many
others. In the course of the remarks
an animated controversy arose over the
advisability of giving prizes to Sunday
school children. and the following reso-
luton was offered:
RESOLVED That it is the sense of this Union
that the practice of giving prizes to the Sunday
school scholars for attendance or well-doing is
injudicious and immoral in Its results
The words "for attendance" were
stricken from the resolution by an en-
phatic majority and as thus amended
the resolutions were adopted.
At the afternoon session Prof. ]. A..
Sanford, Phi. D., superintendent of the
Church of the Redeemer Sunday school
read an inspiring paper on "The Pre-
paration of the Teacher" in which he
emphasized the necessity of high ideals
for the teacher. Miss Ada Noble of
Austin also read hopeful paper on
1.-THE Possibilities Of the Sunday school"
A general discussion was then held on
the subject Lines of Contact and Con-
fict, between the Sunday school and
Y. P. G. u, and Sunday school and the
Church" which was profitable to all and
to the interests Of the organizations.
The following officers we're elected for
the ensuing year:
President, j. A. Sanford; Vice President. Rev.
A. r. TilliDghast; Secretary Miss Margaret
Clausen; Treasurer, Miss Alma Nourse.
THE CONVENTION OF CHURCHES
The session was opened with Presi-
dent Van Camper, of Rochester, in the
chair. Prayer was offered by Rev.
Howard MacQueary. The organization
of the Convention was then effected,
after which Rev. II. G. Richardson. of
Albert Lea, delivered the Occasional
Sermon on the topic: Rational Ele-
ments in Religion" from the text, aye
shall know the truth and the truth shall
make you free" The preachers posi-
ton was that great change had come
over not only the political but the social
and religious world owing to the in
vasion and dominancy of reason. Creede
and dogmas had lost their power, but
not through the choice of theologians.
but because events had forced an adj
vance from them.
He quoted Lecky to the effect, "That
while conscious opposition may confirm
the old opinion, the general enlarge
ment Of the mind by processes of
thought always compels the old opinion
to drop out Of it" and said that while
the multitude accepted truth slowly,
still all nature was on the forward move
and rise, and the race must also 60 on
and up.
Immediately after the sermon the
Convention took recess for lunch. Rev
George Crum, of Owatonna, pronounced
the benediction.
The afternoon session was opened with
hymn, and prayer was offered by Rev
DIR. Shinn, The different officers ano
standing committees of the Convention
made their reports at this time. That
of the Treasurer of the Convention
Capt. Russell Blakely, showed that there
had been but feeble response to the
calls for contributions from the churches
during the year. The report summar
lied as follows:
Cash on hand, June. 1896. ......... S674 Il
Receipts from ali sources ................ 1852 A
Disbursements. Observation-Disclosures. 1l5 81
Balance on hand, June, 1896, ............. 720 g.
OF the above balance S650.3S consti
tuted permanent missionary fund.
Fellowship Report.
The Committee of Fellowship and Dis
cipline presented the following report
for the year ending June, 1896:
July G. 1896. A letter of transfer was granted
to Rev. s. W. Sample to the New York Con
vention.
Sept. II, 1S95.-A letter of license was granted
to Mr.. A. r. Tillinghast of Anoka
Oct. 10, 1s95.-Fellowship was granted to Rev
A. Vedder upon letter of tran sfer from Wis
consin.
Jan. 2s, 1s96.-A call was issued for an.ordina-
ton council 10 meet in Minneapolis to examine
Rev. Lars Erikssol, the pastor-elect of the
Swedish Uniyersalist church of Minneapolis.
March 9, lS96-Ths council met in pursuance
to the above mentioned call in the parlors o
the Church of the Redeemer Rev. l.. G
Powers was elected chairman, and Mr.. f. d
Willis of 81. Paul. clerk. The council voteC
unanimously to recommend the ordination o.
Bro Eriksson. TIE service of ordination thu.
recommended took place in Minneapolis, Marcel
IS, Rev. j. M Atwood, comforting fellowship IL
behalf of this Convention,