Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-11
Afternoon Session

At the beginning of the afternoon ses-
sion at z p. M, the business session
or the conference was resumeds taking
up chiefly the roll call of the different
churches. 1t was found that the fol-
lowing delegates from the different
cities and towns throughout the State
were present: Augusta 8, Bangor 1, Bel
fast l, Castine 2. Pennington /. Houl-
ton l. Lamoine l. Portland, First Par
ish. Is, Sanford ID, Yarmouth 3, Saco
%, and Waterville 10. Following the
roll call brief remarks wer made by
the secretary in the interests of the
conference.
At p. M. an address by Rev. Alvah
r. Scott, minister of the Independent
congregational Society of Bangor, was
given, the subject of which was, Our
Unitarian Opportunity in Present Day
Religion an abstract of which fol-
lows:
At no time more than now in the
history OF human Thought has there
been SO serious and thorough an in
curry into the nature and value of re-
/ ilgion. This examination has been
concerned with the worth of religion
both to the individual and to society
We are asking: What really is reli-
gion; what is its place and purpose in
life; what has it done for man: what
is it now doing. and what ought it to
do for human life and society?
These questions are really personal,
and each one Of us should find out
just what religion means to himself,
his conduct, his character. and his life.
Here Is statement recently made
in journal by person who signs
himself School teacher in the West"
"As NEUROLOGICAL study and as a
factor in the development of mankind,
l am interested in religion but it does
not appeal to me as having other than
an educational value, so l should not
allow it to interfere with my business
nor think it desirable to allow it to
take time from my pleasures"
This statement would no doubt be
endorsed by great many men and
women, If not in words yet by their
actions. 1t would seem to be their
conviction that religion is not a per-
manent necessity to human life but
useful on certain occasions, as mar
riages and funerals, as fitting cere-
| monials: and also for certain stages of
human development. 1t is good thing
for childhood and the childhood of
| the race. 1t is we'll enough in these
earlier years to be trained in all the
ceremonies, rites, incantations and
| prayers. These people hold that wor-
| ship is largely from cowardly fear of
| imaginary supernatural beings, such
as ghosts, specters, evil spirits, devils,
hells and the wrath Of God. There
fore worship is largely the result of
| ignorance and fear. 1t is also claim
| ed that as man rises in dignity, cour-
age, self-reliance and intelligence, then
he drives out from his life these phan-
toms of ignorance and fear; he will
no longer eringe and tremble in fear
and worship.
| In this same tone / am often told
that churches and religious observ-
ances are useful in. much the same
way that. armies. navies and the po-
lice are useful, namely, to keep order
among the lawless. Religion is a sort
OF police system to keep people In awe
and fear before authority. have been
| told several times and sometimes very
seriously. that I ought to preach the
wrath of God, hell-fire, eternal dam
nation; I have also been told from
time to time that church can never
succeed If 1t does not enforce Its doc
trinas and preaching by deep mys-