The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-23
UNITY The OBJECT
OF UNIQERSALISTS

CONVENTION CONSIDERS UNION
WITH UNITARIANs.
Abolition Of All Denominational Lines
| in Churches Turnout All Christen-
dom Is Urged by Delegates from
Unitarian National Convention
perintendents Advise Capitalization
Encouragement toward the uniting
| Of the Unitarian and Universalist
churches as q preliminary movement to
the uniting in one church Of God all
sectarian organizations, was given by
the general convention Of Universalists
the Redeemer. The subject was brought
up by greetings to the convention by
two delegates from the national gath
ering Of Unitarians, which met some
time ago at Atlantic City, N. j., and
remarks favoring the abolition Of all
| UNCONVENTIONAL lines in churches thru
out christianity were loudly applauded.
The Unitarians sent two sets of dele
gates bearing their greetings to the
assembled Universalists-Rev. F.. G.
i .Southworth Of Meadville (Pa.) .Theo-
! logical school, and Rev. R. W. Boynton
/ of st. Paul. Rev. F. G. SouthWorth
was the first speaker. r-gs' a.@8 1.
trial combinations, he said. :" They
have already DEM to us the
great advantage of united power. Yet
it is the scandal Of christendom today
that christendom is divided into sects,
and that there is consequent weakness
where there should be united strength.
In recognition Of this, there has recent
~ been formed a great federation OF
Protestant churches. But from this the
Universalists and Unitarians have been
excluded. 81. ,r-..s @..@p. =.
Can Do More Together. !
"In this regard, I am here only to
say that I believe the Unitarians and
Universalists can do more together than
working separately. Our doctrines are
alike in our belief in God, in the posi-,
bilities Of the human soul, moral and
civic righteousness. There is in exist
tween these two denominations. I do
not know what it is accomplishing,
but it's mere existence is a proclama-
tion that these two churches are seek
ing to clasp hands across a denomina-
tional chasm. , -
HThis past summer had the honor to
pc delegate to great gathering OF
tian churches Of Christian lands. The
program carried out was most inspir-
ing. Two years from now like gath
ering is to take place in Boston, and |
hope this convention will see fit to send
delegates to that gathering. May it re-
suit in greater glory to God and for
his church. -
Rev. R. W. Boynton of St. Paul then
took the floor to further Rev. Mr.. South
worth g remarks. "a Unitarian here
can but feel that he is in the house
Of his friends.' he said. e..
Church Crisis at Hand.
"The wide seas of advance leading to
, the dim and unspeakable future are
traverse. Another great church crisis
is at hand. The opportunity is here
} for us to be the leaders. The church
r Of God is ready for great transition
when men may believe in their own
+ personal consciousness of the eternal, an
3 inspiration from the, Almighty -,
~ Rev. DR.: John Coleman Adams Of
salists. 1T was brought up he said
1ss' in" a friendship for the 1'Unitarians
, somewhat tempered with, Suspicion. ,.As
the years have gone by that friendship
has increased while the suspicious have
died away. Asking the question--Wha1
is the difference between the Unitarian
and Universalists sounds good dea
like asking-What is the quarrel 9-Ant
the question is becoming more and more
, one now of-What are their agree
ments?-and forgetting the disagree
ments.
,, "He concluded presenting the fol
lowing resolutions, which were unani
, mously adopted: + ."
L "Resolved, That this convention wei
comes the bearers Of the fraternal greet
ings Of the Unitarian body and the mes
sage Of good will and fellowship the.
Ibring. We recognize the many way
! in which we are working under the grea
F truths we hold in common toward com
) mon ends Of service to God and man
We rejoice. in the, increasing spirit o
fellowship in Christ growing up betwee!
! these two denominations; and we as]
b these brethren to convey to the Uni
g tarians Of this land our hearty god
d speed, as they labor in the upbuildin
n of the kingdom Of heaven and the sprea
l, of the religion of Jesus, the proclama
l. tion of pure Christianity.
f Would Unite Offices.
t. DR.. W. H. McGlaufin, superintendent
t. for Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin
8 opened a subject in addressing the con
:. vention this morning as representativ
e7 of the superintendent as whole
II which was discussed at length thruou
this afternoon. He spoke of the sue
F. gestion which has been made by dele
y gates Of many parishes that the office
le Of general superintendent, secretar
10 and field secretary, be united in one
10 with the one official empowered to sc
le cure such clerical and subordinate as
lie sistance as is necessary. He said tina
the superintendents to man were or
posed to such merger. Such comb
nation cannot be made without weak
ening the hold of the church on the pee
pie, restricting such work as has bee
e. started, and bringing calamity O.
lg church operations in all department.:
e, On this same subject, two memorial
il were presented to the convention. On
W from the Massachusetts, Universalist
Or asked for consolidation Of the office
e. of secretary. One from the Illinoi
a state convention asked for such actio
IF as could be taken in consultations
curtail present excessive expenses 3
= Superintendent Tells Troubles.
y Rev. T. M. Atwood of Rocheste
81 N. Y, general superintendent, presente
IS a lengthy report today, it being in gres
! ~ e Go7J