The Republican journal., 1920-09-23
The Universalist State
Convention.

| Ihe nrSt State convention to be held
| with the Belfast Universalist church fol
at least twenty-five years, was opened
Monday. The ladies of the parish fur
nished supper under the direction OF
the committee, Mrs. John A. Fogg, chair
man, in the vestry at p. m. Here the
delegates and others taking part in the
program were assigned to rooms, etc. II
was a gathering marked with pleasant
reunions and also of new acquaintance.
Tuesdays dinner was served in Red
Mems hall by the Daughters of Pocahon-
tas; supper Tuesday by Primrose Chapter,
o. E. S., in the church vestry; dinner and
supper Wednesday were served by the
ladies of the Methodist church in the
Methodist vestry.
The opening session at 7.3O was under
the direction of the Universalist Com
rades, their new association composed of
the men of the denomination. The church
was decorated with large flags draped on
either side of the rostrum with an abun-
dance of bright red dahlias combined
with foliage in vases and jardinieres.
The music was conducted by Rev. c. H.
Temple of Biddeford with Mrs. Thomas
E. Bowker of Belfast as organist. Rev.
Arthur A. Blair of Livermore Falls, presi-
dent of the convention, had general super
vision of the program, etc.
The first address was delivered by Rev.
Ashley A. Smith of Bangor on 'The Chal.
lenge of the Manhood of Today" from the
text, imam, stand on your feet, l have
something to say to thee" He was at
his best, which means helpfulness, en-
thusiasm and needed criticism of the
constructive kind. 1t was look forward
with the laymen of the denomination in
the Murray Crusade, etc.
Mr. Fred C. Carr of Providence, R. l.,
National Secretary of the Comrades, gave
an excellent address on The Twentieth
Century Limited. He was practical from
first to last and was fine example of
the strong influence of the laymen of
every religious denomination in the pres
ent day forward movement
Tuesday morning was devoted to bus.s
ness including address of welcome; re
sponse and presidents message; official
reports of executive committee, superin
tendents of churches, treasurer, auditors,
trustees, committee on Evangelism, and
fellowship committee; pledges for con-
vention endowment; fraternal greetings,
the Sunday School Association, West
brook Seminary.
Tuesday afternoon the Goth annual ses-
sion of the Women's Universalist Mis-
sionary Society was held with an enthu-
siastic attendance and the usual routine
work of encouraging reports and the
election of officers, etc.
The most interesting feature of the
afternoon was the living and vital ex
ample of what their church is doing in
the Blackmere school in Toxic, Japan,
when the dainty, intelligent and pleasing
little Miss Matsu Yoyama of Japan gave
brief address. She wore native dress
of purple silk with girdle of black, orna-
mented with colored embroideries. She
has been In this country since last May
and has been attending the summer school
at Smiths College. Later she will take
up settlement work in Boston and then
60 back to Toxic to do her part in Chris
tianizing her people. She spoke of the
bright little girl of IA years, "Chegno," J"
whom the Universalists of Maine are
educating and expressed the belief that
she would be bright enough to profit by
what was done for her. Only slight
accent marred her speech and her COM
mand of English is excellent. Once in
while in her enthusiasm in describing the
school work and con ition of the children
of Japan she would amuse her audience,
but even then it was apparent that she
was benefiting by her errors. The even
ing session was more particularly on the
Universalist belief and influence and the
addresses We're listened to with the clos
est of attention.
"Wednesday forenoon was devoted to
general conference, business. and COM
mittee reports. The evening session was
devoted to the work of the Y. P. C. U.
with an address by Rev. Stanley Man.
ming of Boston, their National Director.
Thursday forenoon will occur the tif-
teenth annual session of the Maine Y.
P. c. U.