UNIVERSALISTS (ante), claim that their doctrine was preached in America by Dr. George de Benneville in 1741; that the rev. Richard Clarke, an Episcopal clergyman of Charleston, S. C., maintained it for many years; and that Dr. Mayhew, a Congrega tional pastor in Boston, advocated it in 1762. The first Universalist church in the United States was organized by the rev. John Murray, Gloucester, Mass., 1780. The first convention of Universalist ministers and parishes was held in 1785, and was followed by the general convention, whose present organization was formed in 1S70. It secures a uniform system of fellowship, and is the ultimate tribunal. The state conventions have jurisdiction over clergymen and parishes within their respective limits, subject to the right of appeal. The Winchester confession, adopted in 1803, is as follows: "I. We believe that the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest, and final destination of mankind. II. We believe that there is one God, whose nature is love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of man kind to holiness and happiness. III. We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to be careful to maintain order and prac tice good works; for these things are good and profitable unto men." " Accepting this
confession, the Universalist church claims to be thoroughly Christian in belief, holding inflexibly to the authority of the Bible, the divine mission and office of Christ, the abso lute necessity of a holy life, the certainty of a just retribution for sin, and the assurance of the final triumph of good over evil, and holiness over sin, in all worlds, and all souls." The general convention holds funds (amounting in 1S78 to $132,000), the interest of which is appropriated for the education of candidates for the ministry, and for the sup port of missions. In fellowship with the general convention there are (1878) 23 state conventions, 73 associations, 863 parishes, 711 ministers, 4 colleges, of which Tufts col lege, Medford, Mass., has an endowment of $1,000,000; St. Lawrence university, Can ton, N. V., $225,000; Buchtel college, Akron, Ohio. $300,000; 2 theological seminaries, 0 academies, one of which, Dean academy, Franklin, Mass., has resources amounting to $350, 000.