The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
THE MINISTER'S CONFERENCE.

The Ministers Conference which
convened for its first session in St.
Paul's vestry at s o'clock Monday
evening of Convention Week, was
under the charge of Rev. DR.. Crum
of Iowa, representing the Western
Pastors Institute. and Rev. W. A.
Dillingham; of Connecticut. The
meeting was private conference of
the pastors and clergymen of the
church with the object of securing
free interchange of opinion as to the
administration of our church affairs,
both local and general. Forty-seven
clergymen were present at the open
ing session and during the subse-
quent deliberations seventy or more
were in consultation.
Considerable emphasis was laid at
the beginning on the necessity of this
conference being entirely private to
the ministers and it was understood
that it's discussions we're not to be
reported. But nothing was said or
done that could not be safely re-
ported to the entire church.
The impression prevailed in some
quarters that secret action would be
taken on the creed question and other
important measures which were to
come before the convention. Moth
ing of this kind developed at these
meetings. The spiritual needs of
the church and problems confronting
parishes and pastors were alone con-
sidered. What can be done to best
conserve the spiritual interests of our
church and to increase the spirit of
loyalty and inspire a larger meas
ure of unity and devotion among the
clergy? This was the great question
and he controlling impulse in all
minds and hearts.
The influence of this Pastors Con-
ference was felt throughout the ses-
sions of the General Convention. A
true pentecostal feeling prevailed and
all seemed of one mind and heart and
ready and willing to be led by the
Spirit Unity prevailed, harmony of
purpose, if not of thought, was de-
veloped and all we're willing to con-
secrate themselves anew to the work
of the Universalist Church.
The deliberations conducted in this
spirit resulted in the presentation on
the floor of the General Convention
of memorial involving the appoint
ment by the Board of Trustees of
General Field Secretary, and
Council of Administration, to ''stimu
late and supervise the spiritual ac-
tivities of the church" and for "the
creation and operation of an adequate
and necessary evangelism" This
memorial was adopted unanimously
and the following Covenant agreed to
and adopted by rising vote, the sew
enty ministers then kneeling and DR..
Atwood offering simple, but heart
searching prayer for renewed conse-
Grafton and the divine help in keep
ing the vow made in that solemn
hour.
THE MINISTER'S COVENANT.
We the ordained ministers of the Uni
versalist Church, profoundly desiring to
give full proof of our ministry by max
| ing the utmost of our united strength
in the upbuilding of the divine kingdom
on earth, and in order to promote q
deeper unity of purpose am ong ourselves
through the cultivation OF spirit Of
loyalty and subordination in the practi-
cal administration of the church, here
by mutually covenant with each other
and solemnly pledge to our beloved
church that we will, at all times, hold
ourselves in due subsection to the
authorities and policies of the Univer-
salist Church, to that end subordinating
when needtul our personal preferences,
and that we will earnestly endeavor to
sustain the appointed authorities of the
church and to carry into effect the poll
ciee adopted by the conventions as long
M fbau confinua To ha avareiaad ovar no