The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

UNIVERSALISM,

The State Convention in this City Last Week.

To the Editors of the Intelligencer.

As the Universalist Faith seems wholly to be misunderstood in this community, and as the efforts of our Church have as yet had little publicity, I desire to place before your readers, if you will have the kindness to publish them, a few paragraphs in addition to what has been reported concerning our State Convention, which met in this city last Friday and closed on Sunday evening.

1. Meeting of the Council

The Council had four sessions, in which, besides transacting its legitimate business, very interesting discussions were held concerning our Church and Sabbath School work. They were participated in by delegates from different sections of the State. The importance of organization was earnestly urged; first, Church organization, into which the many believers scattered over the State should according to the rites of the Master Church, be gathered, that their influence might more effectually be given to the upbuilding of Christ's Kingdom: the spread of our precious faith, and the augmentation of the circle of love; and secondly, Sabbath School organizations, a missionary work, and a needful means of educating in the Christian life, the children who are without religious homes.

Service and library books have been promised, and some have already been sent from our New England brethren.

The presiding officer of the Convention was Mrs. Abbie Lott, of Fairmount, Vice President, the President, J. M. Phillips, having recently been called by the Father to the higher life. Mrs. Lott presided with ability and dignity, showing an acquaintance with parliamentary usages.

2. Religious services.

Rev. E. L. Rexford, of Columbus, was the preacher of the occasion. He preached first on Saturday evening in the court house. His subject: "Reasons why Universalism should be preached." It was a strong and inspiring discourse; finely delivered and well received.

Sunday morning at 9:30 a conference and prayer meeting was held in Hope Hall. At 10:30 Mr. Rexford again preached in the courthouse. Subject: "Spiritual Exchange," from the text: "Thou oughtest therefore to have given my money to the exchanges." It was an admirable discourse. The eloquence and inspiration of the speaker carried the audience with him heavenward. The attendance was good, and order perfect.

At 3:30 p.m. three members were received into the Church by baptism and the Right Hand of Fellowship administered by the pastor, after which the Communion was administered by Brother Rexford—that blessed service which always brings heaven nearer to the earth.

Sunday evening, in the court house, Mr. Rexford preached his last discourse, which owing to its fullness of inspiration and love, was a fitting close to this, our gospel feast. His subject was: "The powers of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven."

In this discourse he with occasion were fer to the prevailing opinion amongst the opponents of Universalism, that, that faith teaches that 'all men, good, bad or indifferent, go immediately to heaven.' This sentiment was denied. Mr. Rexford said: "There is not a clergyman in the Universalist pulpit, nor a professor in any of our theological schools, nor a editor of either of our Denominational papers who advocate such a doctrine. In the first place, it is an idiotic committal against the common sense of a people, to Srace them wich thit a man who ba lived a lifetie ia sia aod spiritual cea:h, shil go st osce to a sisie of birh sriritual eajirmeot Criarnte d ir santh 6: ther decr it, aad bare decied it onst ad ovr: ifais; Ld vrt our cpy- eax, enre the ckaviea who besd the reliives tbcrht n iie miees, srt the litd fee ot owr deaial We tach ip: Neai o whis seotimtat that the wal will tate: into tbst happipes, aed that cvy. which it is cambie of rerivieg, asd thi: porer of rervptin in the wcl depnts C'virs caa ius derre of spiritol cal- ture." We birere in futcre,aier dath parishmesl I beiiere in pnisboept in icothe: wx!s, in many ixtaoes pierc: int, startlicg retribution: bct thsi it is celiaw we di pot believe." The speaker authorized all who heard him to deny the statement whenever it is made, that the Universalists believe thst all souls will be saved, regardless of their sius.

"We beliere tbe only salvatlon is from sio, and no one bss taught, in our midst, that a man shall be saved in bis sins."

Mr. Rexford, in concluding his reference to this subject, said: "I exhort you good friends, not to commit the sin of bearing fake witness against us in this respect; and I would thst the zealots op- posers of oar faith in the evangelical pul- pius would be simply just to us, and cease from this loor continual sin of mis- representing. I would not think thst they knowingiy falsify, but they are to be blamed for not informing themselves concerning the things whereof they presumptuously speak. Let them bear true testimony of us and we shall be pleased with all the attention they may bestow upon us."

There was present a full house, and the inspiration of his theme, the power of his eloquence, and the beauty and grace of his delivery seemed to chain the attention of the hearers. May the good seed sown have fallen into soil where it shall spring up and bring forth much fruit, is my devout prayer.

Q. H. SHINN.