Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-06-05
Dexter
100 Delegates Present
at Opening Of Me. Universe
list Convention - Referee
Hearing-Auto Laws to be
Strictly Enforced


Nearly 100 delegates were in attend
ance- at the opening session of the
o1st Maine Uniyersalist convention
being held with the Dexter Univcr-
salst church. The opening session
Monday evening was presided over
py Hon. William H. Waterhouse Of
Portland first vice president Of the
convention. The devotional service
was led by Rev. w. A. Kelley of Lew
iston who read the Scripture and Of
feAi prayer. after the organ yolun-
tary by Joseph X. Springall and the
singing of a Russian hymn by the
choir and congregation. Rev. Mr..
Kelley then made n few opening re-
marks and expressed the regret Of
the convention that the address for
the Laymen's evening, the first ses-
sion on the convention. would not be
given by a layman as the program
announced, C. Waldron Smith of
Portland, because he was called uneX-
pectedly by the Governor to attend
an important meeting. Two ministers
were chosen to address the audience,
Rev. Dwight A. Ball of Augusta and
Rev. O. S. Raspe of Brunswick.
The choir of the entertaining
church, composed of Harry +. Halo,
Miss Amy Morgridge. Mrs. S. h.
Small and Roy Upton. sang pleas
ing selection before the addresses
were delivered. The first speaker was
Rev. Dwight A. Ball. superintendent
Of churches. He brought message
from Russia, the nation which needs
the sympathy of the American peo-
pie at this time. Through his person
al acquaintance with Russian girl
he was able to give Il message Of op-
tmism, good cheer and courage.
Rev. Otto S. Graspe of Brunswick
gave an able address on The Chal-
lenge OF the American Nation He
said that the first challenge was to
provide food for the allies, and that
the American people had nobly re-
sponded. He remarked that in that
home which persists in using wheat,
the fires of patriotism and hurlaE,.y
have gone out.
The second challenge to the Amer
lean people the speaker stated, was
to uphold the arm of the American
Red Cross, the worlds greatest moth
er. He spoke Of that organization as
being a practical religion which
rises above all class and creed. This
war can only be won said Rev. Nj.
Graspe, "by patriotic sincerity in ap-
plying religion to it,"
Another challenge to America which
the speaker cited. is that of uphold
ing and supporting the church IF
Christ, from which the Red Cross and
all organizations for the betterment
and benefit of humanity. has it's
source. He said: THE church Of
Christ hears the challenge. We are
battling not for land, or glory, but %
bring the fruits of liberty to all men.
Without religious idealism this war
is lost. The men in the trenches :,re
either making or losing their faith.
The soldier must first be a man. Our
wartime prayer should be for larg-
er faith in the Christian religion
Right will win; patriotism is not
enough, we need religion. l appeal
to You TO cooperate in the mission of
the church In that organization. we
need as never before. to keep the
home fires burning"
At the close of the address an Of
fering was taken for convention eS-
penses and the choir gave another
selection. Rev. Arthur S. Blair of
Livermore Falls, president of the con-
vention, then announced the follow
ing committees: Committee on official
reports, Rev. w. A. Kelley, Lewiston;
Rev. f. A. Walch Augusta; w. L.
Shedd. Portland; committee on reso-
lutions, Rev. Allen Brown. Rumfori
Falls, Rev. F. S. Walker, Portland,
O. A. Thayer. Paris; committee Oh
elections, Rev. S. J. Willis, Bath, Mrs.
F. G. Loring. Livermore Falls. Miss
Bernice Smith, Old Town.
The session closed with the singing
of America" by the choir and au-
d;ence.
Referee Hearing