The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-17
w hitefield, of Massachusetts,, and Fl.
j. Litchfeld, Of. Wisconsin, were APP
pointed secretaries.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

These prellmlnarles over, PreslQenC
Felt began his annual address. He
said in part:
Salvation is our program. From
the most Insignificant plant in the
woods to the human soul, the strug-
gle is for something higher. In man the
effort is to reach the il finite. The seri-
business of today lies in the weakling
grasp with which we taxi hold. 1t is
the peculiar business OF the Y. p. @. U.
to strengthen that grasp. The burden
Of sin, the crushing weight of disap-
pointment and sorrow, finds no relief
outside the philosophy of the church. /
have longed for single voice to arise
and call from sea to sea, in voice which
all must hear and follow the principles
of the Universalist Church.
1.-THE Y. P. @. U. must desire above all
else to assist the denomination in im
proving its opportunities. We are not
m embers of little nor of a poor church,
but ore which daily grows in strength.
The growth Of our organization makes
greater responsibility necessary. 1t
vas easy to handle at its inception, but
it is growing large, and its management
is serious matter. If it is matter for
congratulation to have builded so much
in so short time, it is matter for grave
thought to rightly conduct the force we
have called into existence. Our first
work is, of course, religious. but very close
to that must come the upbuilding of the
de nomination. Tha order is no lor ger
baby. 1t must conduct itself as an
dult. 1t is with earnest prayerfulness
that bring before you the great prob
lie m of how to show the world united
Universalist church.
No Division Wanted.
"We will never be so large that we can
stand division. Our unity will come,
but how? There are grave difficulties,
but they must be overcome. They must
be overcome on the floor of this conven-
tion. The Y. P. @. U. has worked along
lines of its own. 1t will be difficult to
form an amalgamation which will not
cut off some of it's privileges. The church
can afford to give point. Our organ
ization is of more vital interest to
the church than similar societies are to
other churches. We must have such a
union that general convention of the
Universalist Church will be the ruling
body. At the same time the parent
body must not in any way abate or
smother the Y. T. G. us feeling of inde-
pendent responsibility. The question is
before you. Silent be that voice which
shall rise in discord. Closed be those
lips which shall speak words which shall
give us cause for regret. l bring mes
sage of confidence. There is no real
cause for apprehension of danger to the
Universalist church. We are strong and
represent church whose voice shall be
heard"
After the several notices were given,
the first meeting of the conventions
was closed by congregational singing
and the benediction.
o Q Q Q oooo
o FIRST DAY, THURSDAY, JULY 8. o,
Q Q
At S:45, promptly, Thursday morn
ing, the convention began the SER
vices of the day by a devotional
meeting, conducted by Harry A.
Hersey, of Massachusetts. The topic
was, Sources of Power" and after q.
short exposition of the subject, MANY
brief addresses were had, and the
congregation united in several
hymns. One of the delegates said,
81 am prouder than ever of the Uni
versalist Church. Men are cryipp
for the bread of life, and our faith
supplies what the world needs" An.
other said: "The most helpful words
that l can speak are these: L am a
Universalist.' They are helpful. be-
cause they enshrine faith, and the
faith the world needs"
The morning session was mainly
devoted to business and reports. The
large attendance filed the church al
most otis capacity. 1t was remark
able congregation, notwithstapd-
ing the great heat of the early morn
ing. Rev. G. p. Nash, of Michigan.
offered prayer, after which the "Glorv
Hallelujah" chorus was sung with
great spirit, Prof. Straub, of Illinois,
leading.
President Felt ordered the roll call,
and announced some changes in the
committees. During the interim be-
tween the close of the devotional
meeting and the opening of the
busines session, the New York dele
cation which had assembled in an
ante-room, marched into the church
singing its state song.
The Southern Work.
The reports of the officers of the
Union was the first order of the morn