The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-12
Election of Unitarian Club
Officers.
The Question "What Unita-
rianiSm Stands For.
II Was Ably Discussed by the Men,
bers OF the Club.

| Club was held at Iillinghsst Assembly
rooms, last night, President Stone in the
| chsir.
| A brief business session followed the
dinner and then the discussion of the
previous meeting Oh "Wbat Does Unita-
risnism STAND For" was resumed by the
club memb befs.
| Treasurer James Shaw, Jr., reported
that the receipts for the year amounted
TO si01I.S6 and the expenditure to ssl0.43.
| The following officers were elected for
1897: President, John j. Jencks; vice
preaident, Leonard NJ. Shelley; secretary,
| William II. EDDY; treasurer, James shaw,
| Jr. executive council, Albert L. Paider,
End, George B. .Olney and :rbeodore r..
| iillingbast.
President Stone then introduced Mr..
Joseph q. Ely. An abstract of his payer
is as follows:
THE NEw-oLD REVIVAL.
"Upitarisnism started in revolt
against the absurd tiles of q Calvinistic
creed and the dogmatic assertion OF in
credible statements. But ia its essence it
claimed to outrank even Puritapism In
Its unseIfish devotion To principle. This
at bottom Is Whist II stands for. 1t 10 the
relig ion of the more advanced and intelli-
is not a proselytiDg faith, anc 1t does not
demand and never can expect large num-
bers. But 1t does demand and should
command the mighty energy of intelli-
gent enthusiasm for the idpas that make
for righteousness.
Has 1t these quslities in its mem bers
ard il not do we not need q revival on
these lines? We are fond of congratulate
ing ourselves on the great leavep ing
power which Unitarian thought has had !;
now it has practically reduced the intel
lectual absurdities of orthodox creeis to
condition where they are unbelievable.
But wnen We come to examine the exact
condition of things is 1t SO satisfactory
after all?
The Puritan, whatever may be said of
him, had one virtue. the possession of
which excuse, multitude of sins,
especially rs they were the outgrowth of
reasoning on unfounded assumptions.
mean the devotion to principle az he saw
it. Unitsrianism may have widered the
vision, but:has 1t increased the virtue?
Have we, who have the greater light
which has led us into larger intellectual
fields increased in like rr >portion the Pur-
itsn devotion to principle.
,,,t
intelIcctusIism and soms times even weak.
encd into sentimentalism and had o back
ward look for rituslsm which Ia absurd
IL for no other resson than because with
us 1t is SO inconsistent and plainly
fictitious.
comforts the insincerity within the
church adds fuel to the willing sincerity
without. New England's vigor OF
thought that stood for high minded prin-
ciplss Is Undermined by disbelief in
creens pretended To be believed and by
belief. however clearly stated. which ex-
bausts itself In Its brilliant and rhetorial
utterance.
In this condition OF affairs is there any
question az to what Unitarianism should
stand for? It should stand for the virtues
OF the Puritan whose intellectual blind
ness it has cured. This is the new old
revival which it should now e,pouse or IL
is moribund and will ultimately become
a mummy, interesting only as an histori.
cal fact.
Mr.. William II. Eddy, secretary-eiect OF
the club made an earnest appeal for more
thorough organization. A summary of
his address Is:
ORGANIZATION IN UNITARIAN CHURCHES
Unitsrisns have great respect for busi-
ness management and a great contempt for
doctrire, thereby einbling that strange
monarch. Frederick the Great, who es-
teemeo the wrstcheG verse he composed
much moro highly than mis- brilliant
campaigns. For IL any church is upas-
sailsbl on the subject OF creed IL is the
Unitarian md few IL any have been man.
aged with less OF an eye to business.
In connection with q church, business is
not primarily n question OF dollars and
cents. 1t is a question OF members and
workers.
MIR. EDDY then for the purpose OF Illus.
tratlon cited the case OF an elaborstsly
orgauizd evangelical church and enumer-
ateo its many auxiliary societies and
unions.
"What rave wc," no asked, "to corre-
spond TO this mechanism? How many
Home Missionary societi,s do wc sustain
or foreignY Have We ouythinc TO corre-
spond with the Union Lesgue3 Ana have