St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-07-01


cations for their adoption was: 'Inde-
pendent Christian Society commonly
called Universalists." They also voted
| to propose that an annual meeting be
| held and the second was called to meet
year in which the Universalists OF Boston
became permanently settled in their first
meeting house, building that had been
built for the Rev. Samuel Mather, D. D.,
of Hanover and North Bennett streets
The story OF the organization of this
| first Association and the causes that
made it necessary are therefore plain to
every reader of our UNCONVENTIONAL his
tory. 1t was first of all self defence, but
further it was to find some common
ground of union as basis for the better
PRONUNCIATION of the great doctrine which
possessed their hearts. Of the meeting
OF the Association the next year there is
no record, but from some side references
it is thought to have been held. What
was done at that meeting we have no
way of knowing. We know. however,
that it was the last gathering of like
nature UNTIL May, 1890, when, agreeable
to circular letter call a convention was
| uSiu Ill uIldbClpuld IL COUotuSl II thSy
might arrive at: "One uniform mode OF
divine worship; one method OF ordain-
ing suitable persons to the ministry; one
consistent way of administering the
Lords Supper" The reason for such
consideration as this is plain. it we stop
moment to think that those who had
embraced the doctrine of worlds sal
vation," were of various UNCONVENTIONAL
inclinations. In Philadelphia many had
been Baptists and in other sections still
other forms of polity prevailed. There
were at least FIVE different forms among
the early believers: The Mystics, the
Dunkers or German Baptists. the Nor
avians, the Episcopalians and the New
England Congregationalists. There be-
ing thus this difference in matters OF form
and ceremony it is evident that there
must have been great difficulty in the
adoption of an acceptable basis of union
regarding Uniform mode of worship, a
single method of ordaining its ministry
and a consistent way of administering
the Lords Supper. This whole matter
in due time was adjusted, so that the
polity of the church became essentially
Congregational, indicating that the con-
trolling sentiment was expressed by those
representing New England. It was
democratic, in harmony with all the IN.
stitutions OF New England.
Another session of called convention
) was held in Philadelphia in the year
1871, at which time it was agreed by
those present that the recommendation
of the former session, that those who be
lieye in the salvation OF all men should
associate and form themselves into
churches, has been complied with to
degree which has equalled the most san
; guine expectations. At this session also
the organization of several new parishes
was noted. At this time there is thu
first reference in our UNCONVENTIONAL his
tory to the preaching of Universalism il
Vermont, at Clarendon and Pawlet, b,
Rev. Michael Coffin, who was nativ'
of Cavendish, Vermont. At nearly tn
same period Rev. Joab Young and tn
0 Rev. William Farewell began to preacl
: and spent the larger part OF their minis
: try in Vermont.
d Believers in Universalsm were mos
), numerous in the New England states ant
in 1893 convention composed OF dele
e gates from SO places convened in Oxford
t Mass. "This convention" DR.. Edd.
v says, under slightly different names tror
If time to time, has not failed to hold al
IL annual session from 1898 to the presen
d time. 1t is the parent of the presen
'Universalist General Convention, ther
n being no ground for the opinion whic
t very generally prevails in the denomin
:. alton, that our present general organiza
e ton grew out OF the Oxford Association
It of 1885.
n This New England convention, as
s was called, convened again in Oxford i
Il 1894, and was specially worthy of motto
}. because Hosea Ballou appears for tn
e first time in our UNCONVENTIONAL mstor
e and began that singularly remarkabl
n career as a preacher and teacher. L
j. Hosea Balou, Universalism as syster
It of faith, founded upon reason and CON
a mon sense view of scripture, becam
,e established, and shook off many of tn
(. crude and fanciful theories that separa'
V ed it's followers and greatly interfere
is with its influence. At one OF the publ
e services of the convention Rev. Elbanar
E. Winchester preached the sermon. ID
n was a man of remarkable power c
n speech, much warmth Of feeling and II
1. tensely Jealous for the new cause. Mi
IL Balou was in the pulpit with him an
it as Mr.. Winchester drew near the close
E. his sermon it became evident to thos
" present that an ordination was to to
re low. He took up the Bible and pressin
IT it against the breast Of the young ma
1T he said, Brother Ballou | press to you
" heart the written Jehovah" The etfet
re upon the congregation was sudden an
1t powerful. After this he spoke to Re-
re Joab Young OF Vermont to charge M
a Ballou with the duties Of his office an
lie the care of the church. Thus Hosea Ba
N lou was set apart to the ministry in tn
s. most significant manner and the CONVEX
10 ton OF 1894 is made memorable thereb
rs AS we have not the time, nor is this tt
is place to follow the history OF the Ne
". England convention, we may yet pau
w ia saw that the session of 1899 was he
d. in Woodstock. This is the first reteren'
al that find of any considerable develo
Of ment of the cause in this state. Re
en- Hosea Ballou was moderator and re
lie Walter Ferriss clerk OF the session. M
Ferriss occupies a unique place IN OF
a history as we shall see little later al
d. was at this time and for several yea
no pastor of the churches at Chariot
nd Hinesburg and Monkton, though he
,r- sided at the time in New York state.
tie With this convention, the records