Year: 1868

Boston, MAY 29 1868


Just year ago number OF prominent regi0nsts,
belonging in various parts of the country and repre-
senting the majority Of sects and denominations In
America, met in this city for the purpose OF organiz-
ing what has since been known as the "Free Keii-
gious Association" The proceedings were fully re-
ported In the HERALD at the time, and 1t Will be re-
membered that the objects Of the association, as de-
clared are to promote the interests of pure religion,
to encourage scientific study OF theology and to
increase fellowship in the Spirit; and to this end all
persons interested are invited to fellowship. The
attendance the second annual meeting here day
has been much larger than at the meeting which
gave birth to the association, the spacious fremont
Temple being crowded in almost every part at each
of the three sessions Probably every sect and de-
nomination represented by visitors on the
floor but representatives Of several denominations
who were invited to participate in the proceedings
failed to appear but in consequence of prior engage
ments generally, their letters indicated. Only
representative Of the Catholic religion declined being
present. for the stated that he did not sympa
thze with the movement.


Rev. O. b. FRorHINGHAM, OF New York, called the
convention to order, stating that Its object was to
promote scientific religion and theology. They did
not propose to be POLITICAL reformatory or philan-
hropic, or yet strictly Christian. Christianity he
added is Sect and is not included in the great re-
ligions. Jews, Mussumans, the Ratlonallss, Spir-
ituaists, great numbers OF scientific men are not
Christians and they should therefore use the term
religion for that is as wide as humanity and cannot
be termed sectarian. Christianity is q complex term
but religion is perfectly simple term, and under
stood all over the globe. We are satisfied with the
Ten Commandments and content to let our religion
rest there Our next word Is 'free," for freedom Is
not jewish Mohammedan or Christian but it leaves us
frapt tn n tha tran Of I
condition, but it is very vital condton-a necessary
condition of all progress as is shown by American
civilization We do not mean freedom to fight, but
freedom Of debate, freedom Of thought-a freedom
which shall bring no i'll will reproach or create
enemies. This, he added, is not vague statement
but 1t Ia an exceedingly definite statement. Every
man who has taken part in the formation of tn is
association knows perfectly well where he stands
and has definite win and purpose marked out. OF
course our work will be slow and long, for we must
avoid clique and sect and study many other things
not to do, which done would overthrow the whole
foundation upon which we are to build. Last year
Mr.. F. said our purpose was to give expression to
all, but now we are more concentrated. The people
are asking questions about the blessed life, and we
offer platform which all can stand and give
their views. A Catholic has been invited to come
here, but he declined, saying that when he came to
Boston he should come as Catholic and he would
address an audience that would I'LL the largest hall
in the city. An Episcopalian ad also been invited
but he had declined to take part in the meeting
They did nor care wnat professions of religion man
made II he would undertake to answer the great re-
ugiOus questions Of the hour.


After the opening remarks Of Mr.. rockingham
chapel, Boston, was introduced. He said he could
not help thinking In this meeting that the man who
@ nSe the best ,ns for he can pull
up by those who preceded him. He came here most
decidedly as Christian-as an orthodox Unitarian
one was because he found life and power in the
great element OF faith, and II he any direrent
he found that he had no power. He did not believe
that any man 20 out Of the great current Of
providential life and amount to anything Some men
fsssd nere ne said don't Want to be Christians but pro
III they could show him anything that was DEEPER
higher and broader than Christianity he would be
qlau TO take II; but he had yet failed to anthng.
He found something divine and holy In Christianity
for 1t recognized the progress Of the soul on and on
battle, THAI it teaches that Jesus Christ is
God In us and shows us the best thing
TO man. II seemed to him that Christianity was not
ascot, but that II was inclusive. He did believe
% mat the Catholics were going 70 sweep the whole
there was too much known OF the history of the Ro-
man Church. He felt, however that the Catholic
Church had done and Is doing a good work, and
there were many things in their creed which all
would do well to copy from. He believed that Chris
tianty was just as broad as religion, for a men
either Christians have the possibility OF becoming
Christians. lie believed In religion progress and
for he believed that was at the root Of ali the Others


characteristic song by couple OF the Hutchin-
sons came In here after which Rev. RoBERr CoLLYER
OF Chicago, was introduced. he fet he said, that
he must begin by demolishing some OF Mr.. Clarke's
structure. although he.was o Christian and meant
he was what he was did not In any sense prevent
nlm nlm from being glad to welcome this new child Of


wea ds Ss not 70 know mun Of
spanked by one and another. He hoped that when
n got through the whooping cough and other dis
igl embodiment OF the spirit OF true progress and
blessing to humanity. He said he had once been
Unitarian churches OF the West but ne did not say
tnat ne should stay there always He was always
leadership of the spirit Of Jesus Christ he was glad
10 see such an organization this and to see II so
ProsPerous, ana tney should go out and see they
they would md blessing and prosperity, doing
the best work that can be done-the lifting Of men
and women into the higher life.


The next speaker introduced was the Rev. HOWARD
MALCoM, Baptist now under ban for participating
In this new free religion movement. He said that
the liberty OF conscience was dear to the heart and
should not according to Roger Williams be denied
10 any one. lie believed that all came here IA seek
ers, with their souls open TO the whsperngs Of the
Divine Spirit who at all times lends listening
na wherev sG hey found ieeA hey
lay hold Of 1t an inestimable legacy with which
they would never part. they were all seeking the
same common goal, and all hoped some day to pass
through the glorious gate; therefore, they should
Join hands and hearts that the great and common
purpose be consummated. They should seek To pro-
mote harmony virtue and morality among the
whole people. lie believed, he said, In y sect TO
which he belonged and many in that sect
believed in the freedom OF thought and pro-
gress, although are beginning to forget
the glorious lessons OF the past, and seek only to
build up glorious structure. II may be that the
whole battle OF religion IL TO he fought over against
tne despotism OF ecclesiastical power. We should,
ne added reassert the principle OF absolute right OF
every human soul to interpret for himself the Holy
scripture ana take TO ourselves the lessons exem-
pinned IN the behavior Of Jesus. We should not


III he Is holy temperate, virtuous and moral we must
honor and love him, aud not set ourselves up as an
ecclesiastical tribunal to try and condemn him.
Neither should they be no industrious in erecting
gorgeous eddces they should be Jealous and care
ful to do that which Is righteous lust and true
whether they belong TO one sect or another The
vital and absorbing question s, "Are we conscious
Of the deep s0lemnity resting upop ma
Of rnis