The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-11-11
THE UNIvERsALIsTs.
steps Taken For Union With the Uni
tarians.
From the November outlook.

steps Taken For Union With the Uni.
tarians.
From the November outlook,
The biennial session Of the Universal
list General Convention at Boston, Octo-
ber 2O-25, inclusive, was one Of more
than usual importance. One is inn
pressed first with the fact that the indi-
vidualistic spirit which has character
lied the Univeralsts almost a. strongly
~ the Unitarians is getting harnessed
for cooperative effort. II was stated
that more than half of the pastors have
already subscribed TO the covenant
formed at the preceding convention. II
is worth quoting In full for its admiral
spirit;
We, the ordained ministers Of the
Universalist church, profoundly desir-
ing 90 give full proof of our ministry by
making the utmost Of our united
strength In the upbuilding OF the divine
kingdom on earth, aud in order 10 pro-
mote deeper unity Of purpose among
ourselves through the cultivation OF u
spirit of loyalty and subordination in
the practical administration Of the
Church, hereby mutually covenant with
each other and solemnly pledge 10 our
beloved Church that we will, all times,
hold ourselves IN due subjection 10 the
authorities and policies Of the Univer-
salist Church, 10 that end subordinatng
when needful our personal preferences,
and that we will earnestly endeavOr to
sustain the appointed authorities of the
Church, and 10 carry into effect the poll
cies adopted by the conventions.
Never before has the Universalist min
istry been 30 closely united rs now, and
the prospect is hopeful that something
like unanimity in this covenant is 10 be
secured. Another point gained ut this
convention vas the imitation Of what is
likely TO be at least closer cooperation
between the Universalist and Unitarian
bodies II has been found especially de-
sirablc in small communities, to prevent
the friction and waste ensuing when
those who have 40 much In common are
kept apart by denominational jealousy
or rivalry. Unitarians have long de.
sired some plan Of union, but their
oyertures have not been warmly re-
ceived. Some influential Uniyersalists
have strongly antagonized them ON theo.
logical grounds. Moreover, the Uni
yersalst churches, being twice as mum
erous as the Unitarian, have ON that ac-
count also been less earnest for a june.
tion OF forces. At Boston, however, for
the first time, each body met the other
fairly halfway. The delegation APP
pointed by the recent Unitarian confer
ence was cordially welcomed, aud their
overture was agreed TO, that commit
tee Of five from each body should con-
slider plans for closer cooperation aud
report at the next meeting Of each.
This was opposed 10y Dr. Sweeter, OF
Philadelphia, in a speech Of severe criti.
icism upon unitarians, but il WIS car
ried by the strong majority OF l0l TO 20.
Unlversalist Principles.
Since the centennial churches In 1870,
admission To their fellow ship has been
conditioned ON assent TO the declaration
formulated at Winchester, y. H., in
ls03 This ocoasioned demand for its
revision, and after long discussion
recast OF il was agreed on two years ago
at Chicago This was ratified at Boston
by vote of 1872 TO 10, and is nov the
standard OF teaching in the universalist
churches. The two iormularies are
sufficiently brief for quotation in tull,
and their comparison is certainly inter
esiing
rnE wINCHRsrRR PROFESSION.
ARucLE /. We believe that the Holy
Scriptures of the Old and New resta-
ments coutain revelation of the char
acter of God, aud Of the duty, interest,
aud final destination OF mankind,
AriClE II. We believe that there Is |
one God, whose nature is Love, revealed !
la one Lord Jesns Christ, by the Holy |
Spirit ol Grave, who will finally restore
the whole family OF mankind 10 holiness
and happiness,