The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-18

seen in such an unpopular place This
is the earliest record of the advent OF
Universalism in the heart of the COM
monwealth. which ID 10 the formation
Of the church few years later.
Such was the beginning Of the church
which today has a membership of over
400 and which stands in the front rank
with the religious bodies of the city.
From the first it has gained in intiu-
ence and Importance. and new follow
ers have been won by its faith Rev.
Dr. Landers was succeeded III lS45 by
Rev Alderbt Case. Rev Mi. case, IN
lA9, by Rev. Obidiah II. Tjllotson; Rev.
Mr. Tnlotson. in 1853, by Rev. John G.
Adams; Rev. Mr.. Adams, in 1860, by
Rev Lndley NJ burlington, and Rev.
Mr. burlington in 1852, by Rev Thomas
E. St John. In September Of this year
the church was reorg anized by a new
declaration of faith, covenant ana
constitution The declaration was
s0meWhat more comprehensive than
the first confession of faith, and was
as follows:
Article 1. We believe that the Holy
Scripture of the Old and New Testa-
ments contains a revelation of the char
acCer and will of God; a clear and sut-
lCenJ rule of human faith and prac-
ice and plain declaration Of the des-
tiny Of mankind
Article ,. We believe in the unity
and absolute supremacy of Cod and
that for the express purpose of accom-
Fishing His own will. in the reconellla-
lion Of all things to himself, lie mas
sent his Son into the world, in the per
son Of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ; and that by the Holy Spirit OF
His grace, through the Christ, VIII lie
cause all evil to be overcome, all sin to
be finished, death to be destroyed. anu
everlasting Righteousness TO prevail.
Article 3. We believe that holiness
and true happiness are inseparaply con
nected and that it is the mission VI
every man to acknowledge Chrlst ny
an honest profession and well ordereu
lie.
It was found at this time that OF the
rs members. who had from time ~
Tine been admitted into the church
since It's organization, many had re-
moved from the city, some mao Nl iI.t
ally withdrawn, and others had torleit
ed all right to the Fellowship OF the
church. In view of these facts II was
thought best to reorganize the churc1
Transferring to the aew churcn doom
only such members as We're worthy alu
oesrous of retaining their relation u
church membership.
After four years OF work, Rev. Mr.. =
John was succeeded by Rev. benjamin
r, Bowles. who remained Tor soIle-
What over two years. On his reslg-
nation. Rev. Mr.. St John was calleo
70 the church for The second time, a ,lio
ne continued for ten years. During tnis
llme SO members were added ana the
church removed from its old location
now Continental hall lin 1S1O-1l, TO the
present site of Pleasant street, into the
building which has served since WIFE
various additions and changes.
Kew. Moses II. Harris, ID. D., was the
next pastor, and for over ten years ne
worked among the people, doing splen'
uid service, adding 167 members me
,hurch debt of ,;27 $50 was cancelled
curing his pastorate, by subscriptiVe
donations, payable n three Install
ments
In 1885, the Winchester confession
was adopted by the church as declar'
sson of faith, superseding the one
ADOPTED in 1862. rhe constitution was
amended and the list of members re.
used, With the second coming Of ReV
II Ht. John ana the paSleN dtt y -.
naflis, which followed, the church NE
"egan in earnest, and since prosperet
steadily and splendidly. During June
900 thirteen members We're dismissed
rom the church Cor the purpose O.
Iofmlng All Souls church, OF Whlci
ll'v, DR.. Harris is now the successIu
ana popular pastor. Rev. DR.. Gunnisoi
succeeded Rev. DIR. Harris on his reSls
naiion in 1890, and has since been a
NE head of the church. The work sine,
Hs coming has been marked. fully l0