Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-02
kENNEBEC UNIVERSALISTS.
Meet at Oakland and Reoraanize Asso
citation.

~ new element in the history of Uni
Versalism in central Maine has been
| introduced by the reorganization of the
kenncbec Valley Association of Uni
versalists which was accomplished at
Oakland Wednesday last. This organ
| iZation embraces the twelve of fifteen
| parishes in the kennebcc valley be
| tween n. Arson and Richmond Over
100 delegates from these parishes ac-
tepted the hountiful hospitality of the
Oakland people and assembled in their
church for what proved to be Il notably
successful session for business and one
which the addresses We're of a high in
tellcctual merit and spiritual power.
Stale superintendent, Rev. r. F.. Bar
ton. presided and presented rs the first
speaker Rev Oluf Tandherr Of Gardi-
ner, who's" subject was Denomination
ll1Sm.' He said in part: Tile Prob
lem of denominationalism is not now u
burning one. Fusion is advocated by
some able religious leaders. Tho fact
hat leading denominations are one on
the question Of religious life is favor
able to such action. 1t is evident that
t lie theoretical is subservient to the
the way of fusion. The differences arc
rather psychological than theological.
The UNCONVENTIONAL temperament is
rooted in something deeper than the
olOGy just what do not profess now
the ability to say. | do say however
that we must deal with human nature
as it is though we feel that it is not
what it ought to be. 1t is a little odd
that 4 dcnomnational name should ere
ate more enthusiasm than the name
hristiah yet the history Of Christian
ity shows such to be the case. The
outline of our faith is incapa BILE of i'm
lrnvemant. The content Of it can only
be brought out by faithfulncss."
Loyalty and Cooperation" was the
subject upon which Rev. j. f. Rhoades
OF Madison delivered ono of the most
timely addresses Of the session. He
said in part I'VE who are to cooper
ate i'll the great development Of the
world need to improve ourselves ply
sically ana intellectually. but it is Of
vastly more importance That moral and
spiritual culture be provided for and
that abundantly. The infinite dis
tinction between some end all calls us
as Universalist Christians to rror0te
the interests of the universal in the
spiritual as the great teachers nave in
| the physical and the intellectual, re-
ms nbering that whatever God has ur-
dertakeu he is able to cause to be fin
| ished.
| The evening session was service of
| installation Of Rev. J. F. Reardon pas
tor elect. of the Oakland church.
An invocation was spoken by Rev. f.
! r. Crane of y. Arson. Rev. W. J. Tay-
Tor of Lewiston read the Scripture and
Rev. c. A. Hayden of Augusta preached
the sermon In part ne said: The
text, Go stand and speak in the tenn :
pie 10 the people all the words OF life
is a broad commission, not confined
to particular doctrines. Limitations
however have in all ages been put upon
the message Man is naturally re-
| ligous being and will find some means
of expressing his religion. Limited in
terpretation Of the Gospel VIII not ans
" er in these days God Oar Father. is
our conception a nd from that we are 70
interpret the Gospel. There is more