The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-06
THURSDAY,


half-hour was too short, as many had not
opportunity to take parts, who would
gladly have done 30.
At 10 A. M. Rev. r. E. Olmsted read
we'll prepared paper on 1.-THE Curse and
Cure of Sectarianism." He spoke on the
"signs of the times" as pointing to bet
ter day, when there will be less wrang-
ling over creeds and dogmas. He told
us that the cure lies in the cultivation
of the spirit OF charity so that we shall
work together for the good of humanity.
An exchange of pulpits does not mean
an exchange of beliefs. We should
strive to put away the non essentials.
and work together on the essentials OF
religion His paper was full of quota.
tons and illustrations, and was followed
by remarks by Revs. DIR. Garfield and
Rexford and Rev. John Richardson.
Rev. G. A. Koenig, of the German
Evangelical Lutheran church. presented
very interesting paper on "Modern
Pessimism as set forth by Schopenhauer
and Van Hartman" He pictured the
men and their philosophy, and then de-
clared that he was not pessimist, but
an optimist. Let the philosophy Of pes
simism triumph, what will be the result?
Destruction! Let Christianity with it's
optimism triumph. What will result?
Peace and righteousness shall triumph,
and the will of the Holy Father shall be
done on earth and in heaven.
Rev. U. S. Milburn quoted the defini-
ton: "An optimist is one who is happy
when he is miserable; pessimist is one
who is miserable when he is happy"
Rev. J. P. MacLean, Pb. D., of Greenville,
read paper on 1.-The Bible in the High
Court OF Modern Criticism" The Bible
is now where it has always been. Inter-
pretations of it change. A better know
ledge of it brings it nearer to the spirit
ual needs of man. 1t has had the most
criticism of all books. No harm has
BEEN done the Bible by criticism.
Criticism is not modern. Origen was
the father of Biblical criticism. The
higher criticism is a misnomer. All
actual criticism is the same; seeking
purity and truth, and the permanent.
Christians everywhere believe Justly that
the Bible will stand.
At2P.M. DIR. Rexford, by invitation of
the President of the Association, spoke
on the subject of "Church Membership"
to the interest of all present.
He pronounced our evangelical method
OF receiving members to be faulty.
Many men and women Of intelligence in
our congregations. will not go through
extensive forms and ceremonies, when
the result signifies 30 little. He ap-
pealed for simpler form of enrolling as
members all those who ought to give
their names and influence for the
church.
Rev. Geo. A. Thayer. pastor of the
First Unitarian church. Cincinnati. gave
an address, upon "a United Liberal
Church" which attracted the attention
and interest of all. The Union we need
is sympathetic rather than organic. The
spread of new knowledge and the love of
humanity in these days have drawn the
people out of sectarian narrowness, and
into broader practical union. In hu-
manitarian work all UNCONVENTIONAL
lines are lost. There is natural SYM
patty and union between Unitarians
and Universalists. whether we vote for
it by resolutions or not. We need to get
better understanding of the mission
and relation of our liberal churches.
DIR. Re1ford continued this subject by
reviewing the attitude Of the Unitarians
and Universalists to each other, giving
the history and growth of each. Work
men on both sides of the Alps labored in
making tunnel. until they met in the
center. Then came commerce. The
Unitarians and Universalists have come
to meet likewise. The next thing for US
to think of is commerce"
At 7:30 P. NJ. mass meeting was held,
at which the following program was OBJ
served: l, "The Church and Future
Life" Rev. H. L. Garfield, DID. 2. "The
Church and this Life" Rev. U. s. Mil
burn. 3. "The Church and Reforms"
Rev. Henrietta G. Moore. it is enough
to say that each subject received treat
ment that was satisfactory, and inspirit
ing to the large congregation present.
This report is but very meager syn
opsis of the proceedings of one of the best
meetings ever held of the Ohio Minis
terial Association. If there were diff
erences of opinion they were expressed
without exhibition of personal feeling
The program, as arranged by Rev. U. S.
Milburn, Chairman of Executive Com
mittee, was rendered with but very
slight variations. The entertainment by
the Springfield pastor and congregation
was most cordial and all felt that lit was
good to be there" The following is a
list of those present, all of whom took
some part in the meetings. Geo. w. Sias
Lolita d. Crosley. III. L. Garfield, DID,,
G. E. Jones. E. l.. Rexford, DID,, r. e.
Olmsted. j. P. MacLsan, Phi. D., o. G..
Colegrove. r. N. John. j. A. Stoner. j..
w. Henley, DID,. Henrietta G. Moore. j..
H. Blackford, John Richardson, Eben
Mumford, DIR. G. A. Thayer and Rev. c..
Koanio