Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-26
UNITARIAN CONFERENCE
HOLDS OPEN SESSION
Representatives From Practically
Every Southern State Attend
Opening Session.
VICES OF CoMN1ERCLALIsM
Col. Soule, Of New Orleans, Delivers
Address - Distinguished Speakers
Will Take Part Tonight in Pub
lie Meeting at Little Theatcr.

lie Meeting ut Little Theatcr.
The opening session OF the Southern
Unitarian Conference was held yestcr-
day afternoon in the Unitarian Church
on Floyd Avenue and Harrison Street
with large delegation present. repre-
scntinS practically every State in the
South. The presidSnt. Charles H. Pat
terson. OF New Orleans. made the OPEN
Ing address; d. r. Wilson. president
of the board OF trustees OF the Rich
mond church, welcomed the conference:
Rev. T. n. Mcliale responded in be-
hair OF tho delegates. while Colonel
George Soule, of New Orleans brought
greetings from the American Unitarian
Association. and DIR. Ira ]. Haynes. Of
Richmond. responded in behalf OF the
conference
In tho presidents report, Mr. Pat
terson spoke of the phenomenal adj
vance made by the Unitarian cause in
said:
AT our conferevc year ago in.
ouised In dream in which saw
Unitarian churches in Birmingham
Ala. and in Nashville Tenn, That
dream is now partially, IL not COM
pietcly realized. Preliminary meet
ings have been hold In both cities, and
In Birmingham the church has actually
been organized and a building fund
started.
''other cities report similar progress
Through Mr.. Kent. OF New Orleans a
church has been started in Austin
Tex. and tho churches at Houston and
Ban Antonio strengthened and en-
Mr.. and Mrs. Parker. OF Woburn. Mass.
have begun A movement at Shrcve-
port which will later develop into a
church. and in CharleAton, W. Va. Wig
orous measures have been taken to-
ward the organization OF church.
Tho work In Memphis has been rcor-
Eanized. and in Pensacola movement
Is on foot to combine the liberal forces
and utilize the existing Universalist
organization for combined Unitarian
and Universalist Church.
More real progress has been made
during tho past year in the South than
In any other year since our Southern
Conference was started. The first
meeting of tho Southern Unitarian Con-
ference was held in Atlanta In 1854
with four churches represented To-
day there arc twenty either in
active service or in process of forma
ton. If tho Same rate OF increase can
be maintained for the coming years.
we may Justly feel satisfied with our
work"
COLONEL souLE STEAKS ON
VICES OF CoMMERCIALISi
At the evening session, after "A brief
devotional service, Colonel Soule, OF
New Orleans, was introduced and de-
livercd very scholarly address upon
the subject, "Commercialism--Its Vir-
tues and It's Vices" He said: This is
prc-eminently a commercial and an in
dustrial age. il may be said that COM
mercialism rules the world for il not
only largely directs the actions OF all
men, but II is the most potent influence
In tho legislation OF the nations of the
Garth. The wanton destruction Of hui
man life now going on In Europe is In
no small degree the result Of an over
wrought International CONNIE Realism
LAS we look backward upon the
stream OF time we sec the ruins Of en-
pircs and the tombs of races. and VIC
ask why? History answers. From un-
regulated wealth, its ruthless accumu-
ls,ion. and all the inordinatc indul-
Eence. violated Law and cultivated vice
wrich resulted therefrom.'
Colonel Soule went on to show that
Ancient Egypt. Persia, Babylon and
Rome went down because the greater
part Of the wealth Of these empires
was owned and controlled by a very
small per cent of the population. And
in the United States to-day less than
100000 American citizens own 20 per
cent more OF the nations wealth than
the other 100000
From these parallels II is evident
mat the American nation lS IN danger,
and unless the body polite is redeemed
from a perverted commcrciailism the
years OF our republic are inevitably
numbered"
After passing in review the RENE
dies proposed by the anarchist the
nihilfet, the communist and tho So
cfaiist. he finds them inadequate, and
suggests as the best remedy limita :
tion OF inheritances. by which 1t would
be impossible for colossal fortunes to
~ 49, LaI =
by law to accumulate wealth 10 any
amount. but limited as TO the amount
to be transmitted to their heirs. man.
kind would not become moncy-mad.
The golden key which will release
ALI the good results that flow from
such legislation is the golden key OF
uprightness. unselhshness. justice. toll
Grant and generous humane character;
love to one another and the application
OF the Golden Rule"
LAWS OF NATURE GUIDE
FOR MANS EARTHLY LIFE
To show how, In his opinion. Uni
tariantsm stands for this high ideal, he
added some words explanatory of the
liberal faith. This religion" he said,
calls God Father and Christ n brother
1t loves all men, but fears no god. 1t
works by the light OF reason, science,
truth, humanity. 1t has no absurd
dogmas, no bigotry and no isms to
cloud and darken its humane work. 1t
binds no martyr to the stake and places
no hereto on the rack. 1t issues no
bulls. and hangs mans salvation upon
no infallible revelation.
TT regards the laws of nature az
sufficient, If properly studied and
strictly observed. to serve as a guide
for mans earthly life without any spe-
cial revelation. 1t holds that mans
natural love of goodness, Justice. mercy
and honesty is capable of endless eX-
pansion and augmentation"
This morning there will BIO a