The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-19


Messiah.
understand its place and tendency. In a
national conference of a body which i'm
poses no creed on its members. and es-
tablishCs no head-and-foot definition of
rectiVe Of many MISUNDERSTANDING which
naturally arise. and gain Information at
first hand which should take the place of
ignorance often noticed IN regard 10 a
great historic movement Of religion in
America.
I'm the Unitarian Conference. which
lately held its biennial session at At
lantic City. were representatives, from
nineteen different States, about a thou
sand in number. the official delegates
numbering 80. coming from l65 churches
and twenJy-nine other organizations.
Though this represents a small pro-
portion of the 460 churches in the country
those present. especially ministers. came
from parts where these churches are Spe-
cially strong ard were able To give a fair
impression Cf the intellectual and spiritual
strength Of the dencminat ton. What is
the significance Of this conference?
The first thing which strikes one is
the smallneSS OF a denomination which
has bulked 50 large in influence. Il shows;
that numbers 90 not always make the
NhOle count OF strength in a religious
communion. Though its growth has not
been extensive. its influence has been
great and widespread. Many Of the great
est names in our political. social and
literary history belong TO this church
Leaders OF other churches have maid most
generous testimony TO the leavening and
enhghtsnins effect Of its teaching. The
conference establishes one fact beyond
question: that, though relatively small,
the BODY Is stronger now than ever before
in its history. II is not true as size suS-
ReSts. that there has been Shrinkage. The
iacts SHOW the contrary.
Another sign Of this convention is that
OF posltiTeness. constructive purpose. Il
1oes not exist to tear down. but TO build
up. 1t IS remarkable that in all the ad-
dresses Of men supposed by many persons
10 De Of defective faith there was NOT a
WORD 10 suggest any negative or destruc-
i've motive. RellgiOn-the religion Of Je-
sus Christ. faith in God and love to man
WIS everywhere the dominant note
criticism Of other faiths. sometimes too
nuch mdulged IN. WIS nowhere united
Reading the full reports OF all proceedings
one would scarcely know that there was
any opposition involved in the mission of
the Unitarian Church. Attention was ab-
soroed in urging devotion to those great
IDEAS OF tie Christian faith for which the
chuIch stands. CaptioUs or hostile senti-
ments had no room. The spirit OF conse-
Grafton and human service was the CON
trolling spirit 'o''-
1t was remarkable that a general IN
e oeersIahdlng Of common belief and a unity
u spIit ana agreement of mind should
nave oeen so conspicuous without the
olnuinT i'srHe OF doCtrinal declaration
A creed has sometimes been declared as
necessary 10 Iaith as center IS to cir
cumferercG. But here was the center in
: SOU itual unity that did not need any
Se[35i,.ly. EeIoai hNlly. i was fixed in itself. No
denomination Round together by the
strong cords Of expressions which an
must adopt, could show a closer agree
ment more genuine unanimitv a har-
difference. Va
- Great themes occupied the hours
MATTERS Of vital Importance were dis
SSlssed. There were. no doubt. such DIFF
terences Of opinion as belong to men OF
out.
Put the striking fact NJ # all y,.- ,,,,.
every one was bent on the central things
N reilElon. the bringing in OF the king
uon OF Coo. for which Christ gave his
ne Ihe message Of the National Con-
ference was message Of faith, and no
one could read ii without gratitude for
such Iaith. II might be repeated in the
words or the apostle: God is love. and he
mar H dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and