Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-08-06
UNITARIAN CONFERENCE.
outline of Plan for Continuing Work
Throughout the Year.


Throughout the Year.
The twenty-second annual Hancock
county conference of Unitarian and other
Christian churches was held in Winter
haroor, Tuesday July 20. About 100
people assembled.
The session opened with devotional SER
vices conducted by Rev. E. P. Daniels.
who Is in charge of the summer work at
West Gouldsboro.
This was followed by three addresses on
"Ihe Message and Mission OF Unitarian
ISM. Rev. A. l.. Hudson, OF Quincy,
Mass, spoke on "Unitarianism and Mod
srn Thought. Rev. Oscar b. Halves, OF
Germantown, Pa, gave the second ad-
dress, "Unitarianism and the New Social
Order" and Rev. Thomas Van Ness,
OF Boston, gave the closing address, "uni-
tsrianism and the Religion OF the Spirit
Alter this address collection was taken
up and a committee on nominations was
appointed by the president-Rey. A. III.
Coar. Rev. II. w. Foote, James Hill. At
l2lO the conference adjourned for
luncheon.
The afternoon session began with a
brief business meeting. The committee
on nominations reported as follows: For
president, Irving Osgood, OF Ellsworth;
FIRST vice-president, Rev. II. II. Saunder-
son, OF Cambridge, Mass; second vice.
president, Mrs. Stanton Wilson, of
Sullivan; secretary and treasurer,
Harry c. Copp, of Ear Harbor; ex-
ecutive committee, Mr.. osgood, Mr.
Copp, Henry Bartlett, of Lamoine; Fred
Noyes, OF Sullivan; Mr.. Hill, OF West
Gouldsboro; Mr.. Bruce, OF Prospect Har-
Dor; Charles Smith, OF Winter Harbor.
These officers were duly elected. The
treasurer's report showed balance on
hand OF s56,1i.
The first address Of the afternoon was
by Rev. Daniel NJ. Wilson, OF Kennebunk,
upon "The Duty OF a Unitarian Church
to the Community. Following Mr..
Wilson's address, Rev. Arthur H. Coar, of
Hoiyoke, Mass, spoke on "The Larger
Missionary Opportunities OF the Confer
enee". Mr. Coar, who is in charge Of
summer work In the conference this year
outlined plan for the continuance OF
work throughout the year. He said:
"sinee the closing of the Unitarian church
a, Ellsworth, some ave years ago. there has
been no settled minister OF the liberal faith In
Hancock county. AS . result there has de-
veioped q feeling of discou ragement aud
loss of interest. In some places the summer
work has actually declined.
1--WE have all come to feel that the success
OF the work depends upon the presence OF
minister throughout the year. one who can
siye all his time to this cause, who would
visit all the places represented in the confer
ence, hold religious services, organize the
educational and other work OF these churches
call upon the people, oiiiciate at funerals and
weddings, and serve as = leader and guide.
What Is ne sded is a mi nister-at-large.
Now, no one church is strong enough to
call such man. IL therefore becomes neces-
saFy for all the churches together to do wha,
none alone could accomplish. For many
years these churches have united in an an
nuai conference for mutual acquaintance,
fellowship and inspiration. The time has
come for the conference to enlarge its work
by taking forward step. Up to the present
We have been a company OF listeners; hence
forth we must become company OF doors.
We must add to the fellowship Of vision, the
fellowship Of work,
Now, there happens to be presented to us
au opportunity OF doing together fine piece
OF work. Briefly it is as follows: Let
the conference itself engage the services OF
this minister-at-lArge. Let us do togeth er
what none of us can do alone. Let each place
contribute what 1t can to the conference
treasury for this purpose.
This minister would live in some central
community. He would hold services OF wor-
I ship at least once a month in these various
| places; he would organize the Sunday schools
and help in the carrying on Of the other
religious work Of these different communi-
ties. He would be not the minister OF one
community alone, but of all places contribut-
| ing towards his support.
"In this way we should be able to get some
| one who would give wise and efficient service.
! His constant oversight and help would pre-
vent the growth OF discou ragement, and
would stimulate new enthusiasm and hope.
The whole work would be carried on In a
steadier and more efficient manner, because
| the i'm pulse and momentum given through the
summer months would not be dissipatsd and
| lost th rough the winter"
Rev. Henry Foote, Of Boston, spoke next
on 1.-THE Unitarian Church in America,
The conference closed its session with a
brief devotional service conducted by the
president, Rev. II. n. Saunderson.
Theconference was well up to the stand
ard of previous years, bringing together
some o: the leading ministers OF the Uni
tartan church in this country. The ad-
dresses were able and forceful, and the
conference throughout was most inspir-