The Washington herald., 1908-07-03
Religion Must Keep Abreast
of the Times.
SPEAKS AT Y. P. C. U. MEETING
Asserts the UniVcrsnlist Creed
Comes Nearer Answering Present.
Other-ServIce Marks Close of First
Days Session-Many Reports Read.

/
that the Universalist Church is TO meet
the need OF the men Of to-day for a ra-
tional faith
His sermon was the principal event of
the evening service. and was delivered
/ in n masterful style
The services marked the close Of the
! first days sessions Of the twentieth an
nual convention OF the association
As a prelude to the address, the dele
gates sang the various State songs of the
convention. an added feature of the pro-
gramme.
After the reading Of the Scripture les
son and prayer by Rev. George H. k1h-
worth, Of Hightstown. n. j.. Wade II.
Barnes, of Pennsylvania. introduced the
! speaker Of the evening
Rev. Mr.. SINNERS Sermon.
Rev. Mr.. Skinner said. in part:
! Il conceive IT to be the purpose Of these
| conventions 20 generate the enthusiasm
/ by which we are TO propagate our cause.
/ That enthusiasm may be propagatcd IN
two ways: First, by mind coming into
!
vidual understanding the nature Of the
cause in which he is engaged.
I'VE are confronted to-day by crisis
/ in the history of organized religion. II
has been brought about by pressure from
without. by a change IN science. by the
growth of knowledge. We have a new
! knowledge. Now men are seeking a new
religion to 1T that new knowledge.
Thousands Of men are leaving our
churches because churches in their minds
are synonymous with bigotry. / believe
/ that the Universalist Church 10 TO meet
the need of the men Of to-day for ra-
/ tional faith.
"A liberal faith is a faith that Is rccep-
/ tive 20 a new truth. no matter where that
truth may arise. The Universalist faith
/ Is such a faith.
IF scientists had believed that ali truth
was revealed before Calico, there would
/ have been no progress Progress in re-
/ ligion. like progress In science, comes
/ into being ready TO welcome new truth.
Church Must Do Work.
"Other institutions are doing the work
which should be done by the church. In
the slums it is the settlement or other
L
/ practical work Of Christianity. II the
church IS 10 live, ii must unfasten the
doors and fling them open wide 10 rich
and poor high and low.
The opening session Of the meeting was
called to order at o'clock yesterday
morning by Harry Russell Chnds. Of New
York. president. After prayer had been
offered by Rev. w. w. Curry. OF Wash
ington. A InRham Bicknell. as secretary
submitted his annual report
He said the past year had been a sue
cessful one both financially and other
wise for the regular and mission
churches. The local association Of unions
especially the Metropolitan Union OF New
York City and the Greater Boston
League. he said had done most effective
work since the last convention.
Mr. Blcknell. in behalf Of the executive
board. recommended that financial sup
port be given the churches Of Little Rock,
Ark; ST. Paul, Minn.; Atlanta. Ga. and
Pensacola, Fla.
Cannot ne Reelected.
In closing his report, the speaker said
he would be unable 10 accept a reelection
and praised the efforts Of Miss Ada Buck
ley. Of Boston. who. he said. had ac-
complished great work.
Prof. Arthur w Pierce. Of Franklin.
Mass. I'm his report as treasurer. said an
endowment fund had been established 10
obtain an income for all administrative
expenses Of the union. lie reported the
union was entirely out of debt and had
met all Of its obligations.
Rev Harry Adams Hersey. OF Connect
cut, editor Of Onward. the national organ
Of the association, reported an increased
interest IN and support of the publication
by the young people. That efforts were
now being made 10 increase the clrcula-
ton OF the paper was included In the re-
port Of Frederick G. Sutro, superintendent
OF Onward He expressed the hope that
the circulation would he doubled during
the coming year.
An urgent appeal for the consideration
Of religious education" at the next con-
vention was embodied I'm the report by
Miss c. NJ. whipple, Of Rhode Island
She said the training Of children should
be thoroughly discussed at every conven-
ton Of the union.
Reports from Mission Field.
Beginning at 1880 o'clock reports from
the mission fields were heard from Rev
H. Dean Ellenwood. OF Atlanta; Rev Ath-
ALA L. J. Irwin. Little Rock; Rev. H. b.
Taylor. st. Paul. and Rev. Charles p
Hall. Pensacola, Fla.
This part Of the session was instructive
and interesting TO the delegates ana all
were enthusiastic at the thought of the
good work being accomplished under the
auspices of the Universalist Church
After a recess for luncheon, the dele
gates assembled again at . o'clock to
assist in the discussion OF the Two
Cents-a-Week' congress, conducted by
Frank NJ. Bradley. OF Maine.
The Post-office Mission Congress and
the Junior Union Congress also were held
during the afternoon. These gatherings
were attended by large number Of the
delegates, every visitor 10 the convention
being allowed to participate in the delib-
erations Of the congresses.
Many Suggestions offered.
Many valuable suggestions were pro-
posed to aid in the extension OF the mis-
sion work for which these bodies stand
and plans were formulated 10 distribute
pamphlets or other means of advertise
ment TO acquaint all denominations with
the character Of the work that is being
carried on.
MUCH rivalry exists among several OF
the visiting delegations as TO which city
will get the convention Of 1909. New York
delegates have come prepared 10 make a
determined fight for the honor They
have assurances Of the necessary funds
10 make the meeting a success, and like
several OF the other cities, are distrib-
uting novelties TO urge the convention
to come to their city
Among the other cities anxious for tho
next convention are St Paul Portland
Me-, and Minneapolis.
At l o'clock to-day the addresses Of
invitation will be made. and at the an
nual election tomorrow the delegates
will vote on the matter.