The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-04
CHICAGO, '97."


church, in biennial session. For
various reasons, it is generally be-
lieved that the session will be an i'm
portant one, and that great interest
will attach to its deliberations. Meet
ing in Chicago, which is a central
convention city, whence all roads
lead, and in perhaps the most popular
city in the country for visitors, it is
contde ntly expected that the atten-
dance will be large, certainly larger
than has been had in recent years.
We make no doubt that the Chicago
Convention of '97 will have many
visitors, and that the Universalists of
the surrounding country and from
the western states generally. as we'll
as the eastern states, will be on hand
in goodly numbers. The representa-
ton in the Convention is more
doubtful matter and depends very
largely on the care and forethought
OF the State Conventions and their
officers. 1t should be the aim of the
secretaries of the several conventions
to ascertain at the earliest possible
moment whether the delegates elect
ed propose to attend and discharge
their duties.
Direct pledges to this end should
be exacted; and in case any of those
elected as delegates cannot attend,
the executive officers of the State
Conventions should at once make APP
pointments which will ensure the
representation of the state in the
general UNCONVENTIONAL council. 1t
is very important that state delega-
tons, both clerical an l lay, should be
as complete as possible. Attention
to this matter, not later than the first
of October, by the State Convention
officials, will be needed to make up
complete representative body.
The popular interest in the creed
question will undoubtedly make
itself manifest at this biennial session.
The proposed Meriden creed will
come up for final ratification or reiec
tiCn. There is not the slightest
doubt among those who have watched
the currents of opinion, as expressed
in our papers during the last two
years, that the proposition to substi-
tute the Meriden articles for the time
honored winchester Profession"
will be summarily rejected.
1t is expected, however, that other
propositions touching the creed will
be presented and largely discussed.
Once the Meriden articles are dis
posed of. no final action at this con-
vention is possible on the "creed
question" All propositions for a
change in the creed, or in the articles
of our organization, will be referred
and go over to another biennial ses-
sion. The interest, however, in the
discussion, may largely occupy the
attention of the convention and pos
sibly to the detriment of the more
important and vital interests of the
church.
The report of the Board of Trus-
tees will be awaited with great inter
est. 1t will reveal the financial con-
dition of the convention, and outline
what has been done during the past
two years in the line of the mission
airy work and church extension.
The exact status of the Japan mis-
sion will then be made known, and
incidently the report will show what
results have followed, if any, from
the infusion of new blood" into the
board of trustees, which was accom-
plished after much travail at the
Meriden Convention two years ago.
NOV LII NdSus VI LOuUdTU UNI
versitv, is the chairman of the COM
mittee on program for the Chicago
session. We trust that the conven-
ton will be favored with fresh and
attractive list of topics bearing on
the present needs and future welfare
of the church, with speakers of es-
tablished reputation to present the
same before the convention. Chicago
will naturally expect on the platform
ON that occasion our ablest and most
influential clergymen. Tuesday eve
ming the occasional sermon will be
delivered by Rev. A. G.. Rogers, DID,,
of Pennsylvania.
The Wednesday night meeting
should be made an impressive occa-
ton, as the largest congregation Of
the Convention will be present at that
time. The influence of this meeting
will be far reaching; and if the topics
are such as deal with the vital neces-
stiles of the church, the impression
made will be of lasting value, not
only to Chicago, but throughout our