The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-13
CHICAGO MINISTER'S MEETING.
Echoes of the Convention. I"


The November meeting of the Uni
vereaist Ministers Association of
Chicago. held as usual at the rooms of
the Western Branch on Monday fort
night, the first day OF the month, called
together nine members and one visitor
REV. Costello Weston of New Jersey.
The following members were present
Rev. Messrs. Crane, Garfield, Cantwell,
Gregory, Hanson. Lewis, Slade, Jardine
and Millar.
DR.. Garfield, the recently elected
chairman, presided. Rev. Robert Jar
dine is the secretary for the new term.
After preliminary devotions the subject
for consideration was announced
Echoes of the Convention" The chair
man began the speaking by a brief
review OF the late General Convention,
commencing its general spirit and the
action which was taken on the PROBES
sion of Faith. He believed it would take
high rank as the largest and most use
full convention our church has held.
DR.. Cantwel would leave others to
eulogizs the convention. There were
marked particulars in which it fell
short as an ideal deiberative body
There was no discussion on the impor-
taDt matters involved in the report Of
the Committee on Official Reports; no
response from the floor as to the Japan
Mission; no hearty word for the mission.
airy work; no emphasis given to the
responsibility of the pastors, and no
discussion of the financial problems
which the convention must face for the
next two years. Even the important
section relating to the Field Secretary,
was referred without discussion. In
these particulars DR.. Cantwell thought
the convention, as body, fell short OF
its duty.
Mr.. Jardine spoke with reference to
the proposition for Field Secretary.
We need supervision at the bottom and
not at the top. No man could do the
work proposed for a body of seven hun
dred churches spread out over our large
territory.
DR.. Hanson referred to the first Gen :
eral Convention he attended in Troy, n.
Y, forty-seven years ago. Thought that
we have had several conventions which
in usefulness and the hold they took on
the various communities which would ri
val if not surpass. the session of '97. He
believed ia the state superintendency.
He criticised the vote by which the
amendment to the Declaration Of Prin-
ciples touching the Holy Spirit was lost.
Mr.. Millar wanted to know why, il the
world was so rapidly tending to Univer-
salism, We could not secure larger
membership for the church. He thought
the occasional sermon was remarkably
fine. We need the power from on high
for our larger success.
Mr.. Johonnot commended the frater-
nal spirit of the convention. He was
prouder than ever of the Winchester
Profession although ne commended the
recent action by which the Winchester
articles we're made non-mandatory.
Mr.. Gregory announced that he had
bsen spiritually refreshed by the con-
vention. The conference meetings were
delightful. He felt himself better man
every way for the baptism which he re-
ceived.
DR.. Crane analysed the action touch
ing the creed and pointed out some of
its inconsistencies. He was pleased with
the general spirit of the body. 1t was
good convention-one of the best.
Messrs. Slads, Lewis aud Weston were
also heard, and all referred TO the con-
vention as presenting many hopeful fea.
lures and in important particulars
finely representative of the church.
The next meeting will be addressed by
Rev. j. S. Cook. State Superintendent,
on the question. "How may our settle
pastors assist in the general missionary
work of the church."