Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-28

L he JtLll oCooAoti Va SA'N
Maine Universalist convention open
ed at the Universalist church Tues
day morning at S45 o'clock with a
devotional service, of which "Rever-
ence" was the theme, conducted by
Rev. Clarence Eaton. This was fol-
lowed by a roll call which showed
a good number of delegates present
and many churches represented. An
address of welcome to the delegates
was given by George E. Vose, who
greeted the convention in cordial
manner The response to the well
come was made by the president of
the convention, Rev. A. A. Blair of
Livermore Falls.
The presidents annual message was
then given and dealt with the work
of the church over the State during
the year He said in part:
I'VE are gathered here from vari-
Gus parts Of the State to give consid-
Grafton to the business of the Maine
ITuiVersalist convention. I trust we
come from parishes that are pros
porous, that are making progress in
intoxicating the truths and the spirit
Of Universaiisn. Ialso hope that we
come here with vision of the work
Of our church that is not limited by
the boundaries of our particular par
ishos. I hope we come with our
minds open to the needs of the larger
church and with the disposition that
our churches shall do their part in
this broader work. 1t ought not to
be necessary for mo to state that UNI
less we have this open mind and are
willing to cooperate in the larger
usefulness of the church in general,
the church will never mike progress.
It matters not how prosperous and
influential our individual churches
may be, the Univcrsalist church will
never grow until we are willing to
! unite our forces in carrying out the
policy Of the State and General con-
Vcntions"
Mr.. Blair pointed out that much
progress has been made by many of
the churches in the State during the
past year They have made a note
worthy gain in membership, a
healthy interest has been aroused
among the men in the churches and
some of the church buildings have
been repaired. enlarged and beauti-
! fed, and made in many ways better
adapted to the work of the modern
church.
Mr.. Blair made a strong plea for
the churches to support the policy
of the convention whether it meets
with the approval of all or not, as
7 otherwise not much good is accom-
plished He spoke of the interest
some of the ministers have taken in
| the small churches about them,
! having passed their summer in min
istering to these churches, afford =
! ing chance to many to hear Uni
versalist preaching, who do not
otherwise have such an opportunity
| He spoke an appreciatiVe word for
the young peoples work and of the
great good derived from the meet
, ing in Lewiston last winter, He said
! that the Y. P. c. L. should have the
commentator of the convention.
The president also spoke of the
work of the newest organization. the
Universalist Comrades, and said the
convention should do all in its pow
or to encourage the men in their or
sanitation. And also the women,
the w. L. NJ. A. he said, never shirk
| their duty and are always on the
alert to do their part in the church
! work.
In closing he thanked all who have
given their support in whatever the
convention has tried to do and said
that the only way to make progress
| in the State is to work together
whole heartedly in behalf of some