Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-02-03
SERVICE OF GREETING.
Ministers Extend Congratulations on
Reaching n Notable Anniversarr.

At eight o clock a service of greeting
ard Communication was held. The
speakers We're five in number; the Rev
Thomas Stratton for the Cniversalist
churches Of vermont. President N. H.
Buckham for the University OF Vermont
the Rev. f. T. Griffin for the Unitarian
Church of Montreal. the Rev J. +.
Wright, D. D.. for the Unitarian churches
Of Vermont and the Rev Samuel A.
Eliot, d. D.. for the Unitarian deuomlna-
ton. Dr. Eliot is a son of ex-President
Eliot of Harvard University and presi-
dent OF the American Unitarian assoc!a-
lion. The music was, as usual. a
prominent feature of the service. The
anthem was "Jubilate' by Buck and the
response a contraito and baritone duet.
"TVilIght." by Nevins The Rev Frances
kinball OF Richmond conducted the re-
sponsive reading and the Rev. C. J.
staples introduced each speaker with a
few appropriate remarks.
FROM THE UNIVERSALISTS
In behalf of the Tnlversalist Conven-
ton of Vermont and Province OF Que
bee. ~ the Rev. Thomas Stratton Of
Rutland, secretary of the convention.
Mr.. Chairman and Friends:
regard it as a high honor ana great
privilege 10 speak here tonight, 10 bring
YOU the congra tulstions Of the Universe
r,t G. .t. .i-ir. o. rarn,ort and Province
Of Quebec. CONGRATULATE you most
heartily on tour age ~ a Christian
church. one hundred years. l congrat,l-
late you on the loyalty of your people
past and present. | congratulate you on
tie able men you have had for VOW
pastors and upon your good fortune in
| having such q man for your pastor al
| tho present time. congratulate the
| city OF Burlington on her good fortune
in having such a strong, vigorous. healthy
| Christian church OF liberal faith. within
her borders. l bring you the greetings
of our convention. her great good wish
es. and her great goodwill. ] hope and
believe you will live as church many
many years to come MAY your useful
ness increase, and your influence spread
and your spirit grow in All directions, &c
be as broad ms your faith.
| read with Il great deal Of satisfaction
the other day In our denominations
paper. The Universalist Leader" of the
dedication of All Souls Unitarian Uni
versalist Church al New London. Conn
| This is as 1t should be- for these two
churches. speaking denominationally, are
twin sisters. And while. in large cities
| re may well he several Of each per
suaslon. vet In the smaller places th'
two should unite In one church and worl
hand In hand. AS a Unlversaist woul(
be opposed to our convention attempting
to start A novem snt In Burlington. snY
faith If not in church fellowship, l wouit
he opposed TO the Unitarian association
undertaking to start a movement In RuI
land. The time has come. brethren, wher
though We INDY not feel like riviNg ";
our respective church names that meat
SO much, for us to take down tho fence
For us 10 work together and Join on
people together in all cases whore il /
eypcdient and desirable under a com
bination OF these two most siSni0can
names. think our fellowship should b
so close. the ministers of each OF thes
liberal denominations would feel per
fectly free 10 accept calls to each Others
pulpits. For | undertake to say, that
according TO Its size. there are not a
many | nitarians, outside OF their ow
fold in any other church as there ar
In the Univcrsalist Church, Neither ar
there. on the same basis. rs many Uni
versalists in any other church AS Their
are In the Unitarian Church. Ii be
hooves us, brethren. TO recognize thi
fact, and believe II would be protltabl
for us all around to make the most OF II
| said a moment ago, these churche
are twin sister churches Their birth 4
America, at least, took place ut abou
the same time, l735-l74O OF course eac
church can trace Its beginnings back I
n much earlier date. and its doctrine
back to the teachings of Jesus himself
But the date | have mentioned Is abou
the time when, In America. notice bega
to be taken of these two new born sis
ters. The names taken by each begin wit
a little word which signifies much, Unit
| Unitarian, belief In one God the Fathc,
uniyersalst, belief in one God, the a
in All. Can we object to your name?
do not see how we can Can YOU obtec
to ours? I do not see how
Doubtless In those early day
some Universalists were Trinitari
ans. and some Unitarians were believer
IN endless torment But today We hav
fully outgrown these narrow ideas Q
God and His goodness. We have prae